A Time To Love

Chapter 21: "Dr. Bouchard"

The organ bellowed in the background, as Emily, arm in arm with Henry, whisked down the aisle, smiling at those who filled the pews in celebration of her holy
matrimony to the boy, Mark Anderson.
Emily made for a beautiful, young bride. Adorned in white lace, with her honey brown hair decorated with baby's breath and white dahlias, she was stunning. Mark already knew she was beautiful, but he was still left amazed by her.
Katherine hadn't smiled more in her life, it would seem. Rachel couldn't help but joke that she looked happier for Emily's wedding than she did for her own. Even Rachel seemed to be beaming for most of the day. You couldn't blame her, though. Their little sunshine of a sister was getting married, and Emily had always known how to put a smile on a person's face. She had always had a child-like innocence and a joyous spirit about her. Her sisters adored her, and she knew that well.
Audrey's handkercheif had seen better days as she blew her runny nose and wiped her tears of joy away. It would seem as though Audrey had cried more than even baby Charlie had that day. Rachel, of course, had to tease about that, too. Daniel, who sat beside Audrey, watched her, and wondered if she was this emotional at her sister's wedding, how much more so would she be at her own one day? He couldn't wonder for long, though, as the organ stopped, and everyone looked to the front as the service began.
The two would make an everlasting promise to each other, to have and to hold, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. They vowed to love each other for the rest of their lives, and they intended to do just that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Audrey fanned herself as she sat under the summer sun. She figured it must've been the hottest day of the year.
"Audrey! Is that you?" She turned and locked eyes with him, making a grin appear instantaneously on her face. She stood up to face him before saying, "It sure is! How are you, Daniel -" She paused and corrected herself, "Or, perhaps I should say...Dr. Bouchard."
He just laughed and replied, "I'm well. And you?"
"I'm wonderful, despite the fact that I feel like I'm melting in this dress."
He laughed again, "Then why were you sitting out in the sun in the first place?"
"Because it's a beautiful day out!" She insisted and continued, "Oh, guess what, Daniel!"
"What?"
"Emily's having a baby!" Audrey announced with glee, to which Daniel replied, "Really? That's wonderful! It sure didn't take them long, though."
Audrey laughed and shook her head, "It sure didn't. The doctor said Emily's about three months along, which would mean they conceived right after the wedding. I have to admit, I was a bit surprised myself too."
"You must be over the moon about being an auntie again, huh?" He nudged her, to which she replied with a big grin sprawled across her face, "I sure am."
They continued on for a bit more before Audrey spoke up again, "So, how's your practice going?"
"It's going well," He paused, then added, "For the most part."
She raised her brow inquisitvely, "What do you mean?"
"Well,.. I have a new patient, and he's proving to be quite difficult."
"How so?" She asked as they walked along, both keeping an even pace with one another as they spoke.
"He won't talk."
She turned to him, "He's mute?"
"Well, not exactly. It seems as though he just decided one day that he didn't wish to speak anymore, even though he most certainly can." Daniel explained and continued, "His parents know that he has an illness and they have to keep an eye on
it with whether or not it's getting worse, but he won't even say how he's feeling, so no one knows how he actually is. I don't know how I can properly treat him when I don't know all of his symptoms. I know he's in pain, though, and his parents know
that too, which is why I'm not giving up yet. It's just difficult, though. I try to get him to talk, but I just can't seem to get through to him. I wish I knew what to do."
"Maybe he's scared of something." Audrey pointed out, with Daniel adding, "Like me?"
She laughed, "I don't mean it like that."
"You don't think I'm scary?" He asked sarcastically, earning a playful whack on the arm from her, followed by, "Of course not, you big silly!"
He laughed, "I'm glad." He fell into thought for a moment before concluding,
"Maybe you really are onto something, though..."
"What do you mean?"
"Maybe he'd talk to someone else. Someone more gentle and patient than me. Someone who'd be able to get down to his level and really understand him."
"And, who would that be?" She asked.
"You."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The house was located on the outskirts of town and appeared hidden by the numerous evergreens that surrounded it. The pair knocked on the heavy oak door and were greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Higgins, the parents of Jonathan Higgins, the
eight year old boy, that Daniel had been looking after for the last couple weeks.
"This is Audrey Harris." Daniel introduced them all. "She's one of the best nurses in Maple Grove, so I've asked for her assistance in taking care of Jonathan."
"It's nice to meet you both. I'm sorry to hear about your son's condition." Audrey added.
Mrs. Higgins forced a smile and replied, "It's alright. We're just trying to make it through and take care of him the best we can."
"It's been proving difficult, though, what with him not talking for the last month." Mr. Higgins added and continued, "If you can get him to talk, Miss. Harris, we'll forever be indebted to you."
"Well, I'll sure try my best." Audrey replied with a smile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Daniel led her into the room, where the young, pale-faced boy sat in his bed, with his head turned to the window, with a look of longing in his blue eyes.
"Jonathan," Daniel began, in a soft tone, "I've brought someone to visit you today."
Audrey went over to the side of his bed and greeted, "I'm Audrey Harris. It's nice to meet you, Jonathan." He looked over at her but didn't say anything. She continued, "How old are you?"
He silently held up eight fingers on his hands, to which Audrey exclaimed, "My! What a wonderful age! Do you want to know how old I am?"
He nodded his head.
"I'm 21 years old myself." She told him, before adding in with a laugh, "Although, some days I wake up and feel much older."
A bit of a smirk appeared across Jonathan's face, but he maintained his position. For the whole of the visit, he didn't say one word.