Finding Love in Ivy Falls

Chapter Eleven

TESSA

Through The Wringer

Dr Sheridan’s office was always a flurry of activity. Nurses moved in and out of doors. Older patients sat on one side of the room, thumbing through old issues of Architectural Digest , or watching whatever cable TV news program was on the big-screen TV. In a small back corner, children drove plastic toy trucks and cars over the massive rug made to look like a small city. Other kids moved in circles, chasing the toy train that ran on a small track built overhead.

I sat in a wooden chair and held Iris’ hand. Rose was beside us, kicking her feet back and forth in a nervous motion.

‘Why do we have to see the doctor today?’ Iris asked in a voice that always went tight when we had to come to the Ivy Falls Community Health building.

‘Just a regular checkup,’ I said to her in a calm tone. ‘There’s nothing to worry about.’

A nurse in bright pink scrubs called out their names. I clasped both their hands and followed the girl with electric-blue hair back into the office area. She guided us to a room with the number four attached to the door.

Once inside, she asked basic questions about the girls’ height and weight. If I had any concerns at the moment. I did, but that was a conversation for after the exam.

After she was done tapping on the tablet in her hand, she reassured us the doctor would be in to see us soon.

I kept the girls busy with coloring pages left on a nearby table. A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door, and Dr Sheridan walked into the room. His white curly hair hung past his chin. Instead of a stiff lab coat or scrubs, he always wore jeans, a Hawaiian shirt and shiny white sneakers. Around his neck hung a stethoscope with a small koala bear toy gripped around the rubber tubing.

Dr Sheridan had spent the last twenty years treating most of the town’s residents. He’d gone to high school with my parents, and then Vanderbilt for college and the rest of his medical training. Mom always laughed at his bad jokes. Said his own funky style landed somewhere between Jimmy Buffett and an old hippie. He even drove an ancient yellow VW bus that we often saw sputtering around the square. Years ago, teenagers started calling it the ‘Flying Banana’, and it stuck.

He gave a bright smile to Iris and Rose and said, ‘How are the two loveliest flowers in Ivy Falls today?’

Rosie giggled while Iris remained her quiet self.

Dr Sheridan noticed and gave a quick tip of his head to the exam table. ‘Rosie, want to go first?’

He did a quick exam. Looked in her eyes and nose. Talked to her about soccer and school. The minute he asked about her sleeping, her little lips pinched together, and my heart squeezed.

When Dr Sheridan finally coaxed Iris to swap spots with her sister, she sat stiff as a board as he asked the same questions. He also prodded about her stomach. What were her favorite foods? How much water was she drinking after soccer practice?

She gave quick, muted answers, her worried eyes glued to my face as she did.

Once he was finished, Dr Sheridan opened the door and called to his nurse. She led Rose and Iris back to the waiting area with promises of blowing the train’s small horn.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Dr Sheridan gave me a pointed look. ‘You need to stop worrying. They’re perfectly healthy.’

‘But the nightmares and stomachaches,’ I insisted.

He sat in the chair next to me. It was hard not to stare at the bright blue and black toucans splattered all over his shirt. The way his white curls puffed out around his head like dandelion fluff.

‘We’ve done all the pertinent tests, checked on Iris and Rose quite a few times over the past year, and everything has been normal. Your girls,’ he paused, ‘ and you , have been through some rough patches. They lost their beloved grandma.’ His voice went thin. ‘Then, well, Billy. It was a confusing time for them.’

‘Not just for them,’ I muttered.

‘You’ve all been through the wringer,’ he sighed. ‘But I want to reassure you that the symptoms happening to the girls are a side effect of all that loss. You’ve done right by them, Tessa. You did family therapy. Helped them understand as much as possible that they are safe and secure.’

‘Yes, but how can I make the nightmares and stomachaches stop?’ I said with a trembling voice.

‘They’re less frequent now, correct?’

‘Maybe once a month or so.’

‘Compared to what?’

‘A couple of times a week.’

‘That’s progress. Keep going about your day. Stay with a routine. Surround them with love and support from your family. From the folks here in Ivy Falls. I know you’ve been spending time with Manny and Louisa.’ He gave me an approving smile. ‘Keep building a life. Let them play with their friends. Explore new activities. Slowly, but surely, those manifestations will fade for good.’

‘Promise?’ I said more as a tease.

‘You’re a good mother. Keep the girls on track, and everything will be all right.’

I gave him a quick nod. ‘Thank you, Dr Sheridan.’

‘Now.’ He arched a wiry eyebrow. ‘What’s this I’m hearing from Barb and Susan about you building a coffee bar at the P&P?’

I couldn’t help but groan. ‘Yeah, they’re not too happy with me right now.’

He rubbed at the white stubble on his chin. ‘The only way this town is gonna stay alive is if we keep its heart beating. That means breathing new life back into the shops. Giving people new and exciting reasons to come to Ivy Falls. Manny and Torran’s show has helped with that cause. I think adding coffee as an offering at the bookstore will too. Barb and Susan know you have to diversify to keep a business fresh. They’ll come around. Older folks like us, we just need a bit of time to adjust.’

‘You’re not old,’ I protested.

‘My wife might not agree,’ he chuckled. ‘She keeps telling me to retire. That I need to take her on that trip to Scotland and Ireland I’ve been promising since she became my bride.’

‘You should listen to her, because you never know when you won’t have time anymore. I sadly learned that with my mom.’

‘That’s fair advice.’ He gave me another steady look. ‘You know it’s all right to move on. To find joy and happiness again. She’d want that for you.’ He hesitated before saying, ‘She’d approve of you and Manny.’

‘No,’ I sighed. ‘Not you too.’

He shrugged. ‘All anyone in this town wants is for you to be happy, Tessa.’

‘I love this town too, but y’all need to start minding your own business,’ I said halfheartedly.

‘Not sure that’s ever going to happen, especially as long as Mrs Vanderpool keeps tabs on everyone around here.’

‘That woman needs a hobby,’ I laughed.

His face went solemn. ‘Greta is getting older. Most of her family is gone. I think her sticking her nose into other people’s lives is what keeps her going. Well, that and her little dog.’

He gave my hand a firm pat and left the room. I pulled in a full breath, trying to be soothed by his reassurances.

My mind fluttered back to Manny and me in the truck. The way it felt so easy to slide my hand over the top of his. Things were certainly changing. Maybe it was time I listened to the doctor’s orders and moved on.