Page 34 of Raymond's Forever

“Oh, sorry, it’s Hydromorphone. Highly addictive, and many, many, many times stronger than morphine.” At his shocked expression, she sighed heavily. “I don’t want to bring up any bad memories for you, but was Ciara on morphine at the end?”

“Yes, heavy doses.”

“Okay, picture the dosage she was getting, just one dose, times that by fifty, and that’s what just one of these pills would be.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

“I kid you not, I would even bet my medical license on it.”

“Holy shit,” he said and didn’t know if he even wanted the pills near him, but he would keep them safe. He looked around wildly, found the pad of paper on the refrigerator, ripped off the top sheet, found a pen, and started making a list.

“What are you writing?”

“Making notes to get those pills to the lab to verify they are what you say they are. I’m not doubting you.”

“I know, but I can’t know any more than that, and what you suggested is perfect. I know I shouldn’t say this, but maybe you should find another doctor to come in and testify on things you find on the drive, and the validity of these pills. I’ll still testify if I need to, but you’re going to want a different doctor than me.”

“Yeah, that was my next note I was going to write.” He grinned at her snort of laughter.

“You and your lists.”

“Yeah, sorry.”

“Don’t be, it’s cute.” She placed the prescription bottle back in the bag, and set the bag on the table. She giggled when her stomach growled. “Did someone say something about spaghetti?”

“I can take a hint,” he said as he folded the paper, stuck it in his pocket, and withdrew the ingredients he had brought with him. As he started browning the burger, she started getting the garlic bread on a tray.

“Do you want cheese on your bread?”

“I didn’t bring any.”

“That’s not what I asked,” she said as she opened her refrigerator and withdrew a package of shredded cheese.

“Oh, yes please.” He turned on the oven, and continued what he was doing. A few minutes later, he turned to her. “How has your first week at the new office been going so far?”

“Good, I’ve got the entire area set up the way I want it. And I’ve already gotten five new patients.”

“Really? Isn’t that fast?”

“Yes and no.”

“What’s that mean?”

“I’ve been at the clinic in Colorado Springs for the last fifteen years. Like Shay, I have had patients from Fool’s Gold. They have a clinic, but the doctors there are like general practitioners. Meaning they don’t have a specialty. I too am a general practitioner, but I also have a specialty in orthopedics. The patients I’ve been seeing this week followed me here instead of going back to Colorado Springs.”

“Ah, they already were your patients.”

“Correct.”

They discussed their week as they cooked, and ate the meal. When Amelia finally shoved her plate away, she leaned back and grinned as she rubbed her stomach. “Thank you, that not only tasted great, but it hit the spot.”

“You’re welcome,” he said as he settled back in his own chair. They sat there for a good five minutes in silence before he rose to start cleaning up from their meal. She immediately joined him, and with a glass of wine in hand, they went into the living room to settle in to drink it.

“Can I ask you something,” Raymond asked quietly.

“What’s that?”

“First, forgive me if this is too forward, but I told you about my tragic past with women, I was wondering if you have anyone in your past, or your present for that matter?”