Thicker than Water

Mr. Lavano's charisma

"Hey Dr. Russo," Dr. Rodriguez said, sitting down beside Elana the next morning at the computer logs to check-in on their patients. "Here's your morning latte."

"Thanks," Elana smiled appreciatively. "No problems with making sure Mr. Lavano's initial scans got processed, right? That's the new case, patient from Room 304. And then how's the patient from Room 615 who just checked out after bypass surgery?"

Everything looked good as they cleared away the issues about each patient, and created plans of attack for each one.

"Dr. Russo," Rodriguez quietly said as they finished up, "I looked up Mr. Lavano last night. Did you know he's one of Chicago's most wealthy businessmen?" Elana looked up in surprise.

Rodriguez continued, "He was the former CEO and founder of Lavano Enterprises. It's a big private company here that buys up a ton of companies, and his sons now run it as a family business. He's supposed to be really politically powerful, and I think he donates a ton of money to those charity galas that always come up during the holidays."

Elana nodded. "Wow, I didn't know that, but thanks for the intel, Rodriguez. Let's continue providing him with a great care experience." Elana thought back to the VIP comment Lavano made yesterday. While she could tell he was very Chicago old-school, the man gave no strong indication of arrogance or privilege. He hadn't even requested one of the fancier rooms in the hospital.

* * * * * * 

Alexander Lavano certainly lived up to the promise of being a riot. He was loud, hilarious and boisterous, regaling anyone who serviced him with stories and his sharp opinions.

"Dr. Rodriguez," he said when the resident was checking up on him, his new target of mirth. "You need to stop looking like a puppy when Dr. Elana doesn't validate your statements. Boy, you cannot become a man if you live like that."

Dr. Rodriguez physically shook as he walked out the door, avoiding eye contact with Elana.

"Mr. Lavano –" Elana started after Rodriguez had scampered out.

"Alexander," he corrected.

"Alexander, Dr. Rodriguez is a resident," she said. "Although your statement was amusing, leave diminishing his self-esteem for the surgeons like me and this residency program, will you? It kicks everyone's ass already."

Mr. Lavano peered at Elana over his glasses after her impassioned defense. Was he angry with her? The silence was deafening, only punctured by the analog clock's ticking sounds. "You are a very good girl, Elana. Very fair. Our world needs more people like you."

The room reverted back to silence as Elana finished up her notes on his chart. Elana felt awkward, not knowing how to respond to such a statement.

"It would mean a lot if you would stop by sometimes and chat with me," Mr. Lavano broke the silence. " I need some company until my boys come to visit me. My boys are about your age, but I've never had a daughter, a young lady like yourself."

Mr. Lavano's charisma was insane. "I'll come by tonight when my shift ends."

* * * * * *  

For the next days, Elana found herself in a routine visiting Mr. Lavano in the evenings before she headed home. He was still undergoing tests and scans, so she continued to perform check-ups with Dr. Rodriguez during the daytime. But she would come back to Mr. Lavano in the evenings to talk about their personal lives or world events.

Their conversations became hours-long. Alexander Lavano was an amazing conversationalist. He was well-read and very sharp. Elana wasn't much of a business mind, but as a curious person, she got to download how a businessman thought about the world, which activated her mind in a different way.

He also loved telling her stories about his family. He would talk about the stability that his late wife provided him, and how important she was to his business success. Sadly, his late wife passed away by the time his eldest son, Benji was a teenager, and the other two, Marco and Peter, were tweens. Alexander clearly loved his three boys, though he talked about Benji the most. Complaining about how Benji worked too hard and took his duties as the head of their family's business too seriously. How Benji didn't smile. How Benji dated the wrong women. How when Peter came out to him, he laughed and said, "It's about damn time, Petey! I knew you were gay since you were 5 years old!" How he worried a lot about the lineage of the Lavano family, and whether he would get grandchildren...

The only uncomfortable thing they talked about was Elana's sad love life. Like Sarah, Mr. Lavano was merciless when questioning her.

"How old are you, dear?"

"I'm 32"

"Ah, basically the same age as my two older boys, Benji and Marco. And why are you single? You are such a wonderful young lady, very beautiful too and brilliant. I think you would be a wonderful addition to any man's life and family."

"I guess the hospital job has been so busy," Elana said unconvincingly, even to herself. "Which means I didn't have time to date for the last 3 years after I broke up with my last boyfriend from residency." She paused. "I'm not sure, maybe I just haven't met a person I felt a connection with."

"Miss Elana, tell me about your last boyfriend, and why you broke up with him."

Should I say the honest truth, one I felt uncomfortable sharing with Sarah even? "I realized I wanted more," she started. "Not more in terms of he didn't want a marriage or family – he wanted that as well. I just wanted someone who could broaden my worldview. I'm from multiple generations of family from Chicago, and it just feels... small. I've traveled to France once, but I haven't really traveled since. I know there's a lot of adventure and a lot out there to see and do. I don't know – maybe I think doctors like me are boring?" She smiled sheepishly. "Well, at least Rob, my ex, was really boring, I think I'm a little more interested in things."

Elana internally squirmed at Mr. Lavano's gaze. He was looking at her like a scientific organism to study, as if he was decoding her DNA. "You are so interesting, young lady, you really are. If I tell you what I think, will you consider making changes to your love life?"

"I'm interested and open." How was she getting slumber party advice from one of the richest people in Chicago, she really didn't know.

"I think," Mr. Lazano looked her in the eye, "I think you, Miss Elana, are a very open-minded person who is looking for a challenge. You want to be with someone who keeps you on your toes, is exciting and different from the way you are. Of course, not so different in values and what you care about, but shakes you to your core. You want to feel with this person. Your last boyfriend sounded like he put you to sleep!"

It was already past midnight and Elana needed to wake up at 5am tomorrow for work. She got up and went to Mr. Lavano's bed, making sure his bed corners were tucked in and that he had water to drink, while contemplating his assessment of her.

"I'll think about what you said. You might have pegged me exactly, Mr. Lavano. But where do I find such a man?" She sighed. "Anyway, have a wonderful night and rest up. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Good night, Miss Elana. And I'm sure now that we've put it out into the universe, he'll show up. Just be patient and keep your eyes open."