A Harmony With You: Book Four

Leanne

I look at Joey's text message. He sent it to me yesterday and I quickly responded before going back to writing. I put on my other earbud and take the last bite of my sandwich. I stifle a yawn as I sit back and close my eyes for a moment. The sound of the piano covers my ears from the soft murmurs that the hospital carries.

My mind slowly begins to clear as sleep creeps in, but I open my eyes when I hear the distant sound of a voice. It's Dr. Kim with his friendly grin.

I quickly take off my earbuds and return his smile. "Hello, Dr. Kim. It's so nice to see you wearing our scrubs and doctor's coat."

"I think it suits me well," he says with a small chuckle as he puts his stethoscope in his pocket. "I thought I would come and say hello. Were you actually sleeping?"

"No. I was just resting my eyes."

He looks at the seat in front of mine at this small round table and says, "May I take a seat here?"

"Of course," I say as I sit up straighter now and move my books and computer closer to my side.

He observes the books that are laid out and does a soft smile. "What are you reading, Dr. Nam?"

"I have to repair a heart valve in a few hours. I like to do some research before going into surgery."

"Really? Me, too," he says with a grin that shows his heart beginning to flutter. "You know, I hated doctors when I was a child."

I do a small chuckle. "Really? What made you want to become a doctor?"

His eyes turn distant and almost sad as his smile turns small. "My mother's heart decided to give out one day. She survived with a VAD, but she was on the list for a heart transplant for many years. I said to myself, if I can become a cardiologist then maybe I can save my mother. I tried my best to make my mother smile again."

I feel for his story and I give him a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry to hear that. Did your mother ever get a heart transplant?"

"She did!" His eyes shine again and I can't help but grin with happiness. "She was able to get the surgery and she is still alive. So I was going to quit medical school."

"Oh my!" I say with a small laugh. "Why?"

"Because I was only going to be a doctor to save my mother. But my mother beat me and said that I was not gifted for nothing. So I stayed in school for her. She wanted me to be a cardiologist, but I actually grew to hate the heart for betraying my mother like that."

I can't help but be surprised every time this man speaks. I was as amused when I had my first conversation with him at the celebration event. He was careful with his words, but I was left amused by his stories. He is well-spoken. I like this about him and the way his eyes shine with passion even if he is telling me a story like this.

However, this passionate spark in his eyes...that story...it unsettles my heart. It feels like I've heard this story before. Why is this sudden spark in his eyes so familiar?

He notices my silence as my mind turns with these thoughts and does a small chuckle. "I'm kind of a mess, aren't I?" I only do a small smile.

He lets out a soft sigh as he sits back in his chair. "It's why I fell in love with the brain. It's the mess inside our heads that makes up the beautiful composition of the human body. Without the brain, we can't be...human, you know? It is our brain that separates us from the primates or any other animal. We are beautifully sophisticated creatures meant to create even more beautiful things, but it is all thanks to the powerhouse inside of us. The heart is its engine but without the brain, the heart cannot beat again."