“Open your mouth and say ‘Ahh,’” Dr. Addams instructed.
The boy with the chipmunk cheeks obeyed after another coughing fit. He’d never seen the boy this glum before, even when he’d been peppered with chicken pox last year.
“Wait, I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I meant to say, stick out your tongue the way you would when your teacher’s not looking, then say ‘Ahh.’”
The boy with the chipmunk cheeks tried to focus on sticking out his tongue without smiling.
“Or maybe when a girl you like passes by but doesn’t smile at you.”
That did the trick.
“Andrew, do you have a girlfriend?” his mother teased as she saddled up beside the boy with the chipmunk cheeks. She was noticeably more relaxed than when she first came in. She had also noticeably added eyeliner and some blush for this visit[D1] .
“Mooooom,” Andrew groaned around the tongue depressor.
“Hold still for just a little longer,” Dr. Addams directed.
“Listen to Dr. Addams,” the mother ordered. “He’s going to make you feel all better again.”
She seemed to lean a bit closer to the doctor as she spoke, and Dr. Addams wafted the strong scent of vanilla. That was new as well. Lately she’d been sticking with a fresh coat of vibrant lipstick anytime she or her son had an appointment.
“I don’t think we’re looking at anything too bad,” Dr. Addams said, standing upright. “You can close your mouth now, Andy,” he told the boy with the chipmunk cheeks, before turning his attention to the mother. “Looks like nothing more than a sore throat. Some cough syrup for a few days should clear it right up.”
“Oh, thank god,” she exclaimed. Dr. Addams was pretty sure she knew it was nothing serious. If it had been, he doubted she would’ve taken the time to doll herself up before coming in.
“You excited that school’s almost out?” he turned back to the boy, who nodded. “You probably don’t want to start your summer vacation being sick.” The boy’s nodding grew more vigorous. “I think you’ll be able to enjoy the start of your freedom with all your friends.”
“Oh, I know Andy will love that,” the mother said, stroking her son’s hair. “I was so nervous about this cough. I was worried it might be contagious.”
Dr. Addams shook his head. “It’s better to be on the safe side, but I don’t think we’ve got anything to worry about here,” he said as he removed his gloves.
“If you’re confident about it, then I’m confident too,” she said. “After all, you must encounter countless patients everyday. I’m sure you’re sometimes concerned about catching something and getting Mrs. Addams sick.
The emphasis on ‘Mrs.’ Caused his eyes to drop down to his bare fingers. He was sure she had already noticed they were unadorned with jewelry of any kind.
“I’m not married,” he said with a politely forced smile.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said, although the sly grin that broke out on her face suggested she was anything but. “I just assumed you didn’t wear a band while you were seeing patients because it might tear the gloves or something.”
She laughed it off like it was an innocent misunderstanding. Some harmless blunder. Bu the resting of her hand on his bicep seemed nothing short of pre-meditated.
“Well, I can’t thank you enough for curing Andy again. We’ve been in here a lot this past year,” she went on.
Dr. Addams shrugged. “Think nothing of it. Some kids just have that one year where they catch everything under the sun. Andrew looks to have drawn the short straw.”
“Well, I know Andrew’s in good hands when he’s with you.” Her top teeth were stained from gnawing at her bottom lip. Judging by her eyes, she appeared to be working up her courage.
“Dr. Addams,” Nurse Raskin’s voice cut in from the doorway behind him. He waited to turn before breathing a sigh of relief.
“She’s back.”