You Belong To Me

Chapter Physician

Chapter 1

"I entered into the field

of medicine to help people...

just as any other physician... I would hope."

~the physician

Dr. Frederick Dibble felt certain he was quite in over his head as he stepped out of the lavish town car in front of the grand building no single family should be allowed to call a home. The monstrosity bordered on castle proportions with the exception of a moat. A small exception indeed. It had all the proper makings of a gothic hillside haunted domain, including the acres and acres of land that stretched into thick trees to the west. The young doctor left the granite that was the driveway and stepped onto the crisp grass all the while wondering what he could possibly do for anyone there. Their money was intimidating to say the least. He thought for a moment he could hear the fine blades crunching beneath every step he took to the pond that was the size of any fútbol field he'd ever seen. Frederick could see that white marble trimmed thinly with gold lined the giant puddle, modernizing the koi fish pond. Water lilies floated just on the surface as the intelligent fish came closer to investigate.

There was the distinct sound of someone clearing his or her throat, a definite call for attention without saying 'excuse me.' Frederick turned and hustled towards an older man dressed in livery, black and white work attire, standing beside large almost obnoxious double doors. But then they couldn't really be called obnoxious since the house itself was equally as astronomical. The doctor stepped inside and the smell of what seemed like sandalwood perfumed the air around him. He pushed his spectacles up higher on his nose and nodded at the man in front of him; even rich air tasted different.

"Mrs. St. Laurent will take you in the front parlor," the older, white haired gentleman said as he took the doctor's coat. His face was a stone mask of service and nonchalance. He had very few hairs atop the crown of his head but not a single one of those was out of place. Dr. Dibble felt drab standing next to the help. "Your belongings?" the gentleman said, one hand gesturing to his medical bag.

Frederick shook his head. "This will do fine with me. Which way?"

The white-haired gentleman bowed as if to say 'fine keep your bag' and turned on his heels down the long corridor. It was much too big to call it a hall. Frederick the followed behind him. Priceless art lined the walls, vases from ancient Asian empires, beautifully, tended fresh flowers on mahogany desks along walls with vaulted ceilings. They stopped at a set of doors and the gentleman knocked once and then opened the door. "Dr. Dibble has arrived."

When the gentleman stepped aside and looked at him like Frederick was suppose to be able to read his mind, the young doctor stuck his chest out and thrust his chin up and stepped into the room confidently. The woman seated on the couch awaiting his arrival was very beautiful, but transparently icy. Her straight black hair was cut very precisely at her shoulders, her thin frame seeming fit. She carried herself like a queen, head up, shoulders back. Caroline St. Laurent stood to greet him, extending one of her baby soft hands that spoke of never having done an honest day's work. Her apparel was elegant of course. She dressed as a political figures wife would: expensively and tastefully with heels no taller than three inches. "Doctor, thank you for coming," she said politely. Her brown eyes scanned him briefly before she met his eyes again, her scrutiny finished.

"How is the patient?" Frederick asked. She left no room for small talk in the way of her eyes. They conveyed almost any message she wished to relay in the manner she wanted it told somehow. No time to dilly dally. He sat his bag on the floor beside him and crossed his legs.

Caroline straightened her back, her tone unconcerned but still crisp. "The same. No real difference of any significance." She'd said the words like they were bitter in her mouth, as if they had taste.