Brown Eyes

XV. A Blast From The Past

Oddly enough during Brad's  surgical procedure, a new neighbor recently moved into the  3- storey modern contemporary styled house with tall glass windows across the street.Teresa, Their neighbor's nosy help excitingly volunteered  the news to them as Janette was wheeling Brad into their home.  Our street is complete," You are a Pediatrician, with an anesthesiologist husband and now we have us a surgeon, and a   Fil-Am at that who arrived from Hawaii, where I heard  he had quite a successful practice. Immediately, Janette had a quizzical  look,in her face.He is tall and so gwapo,continued  Teresa  giggling as her words fell into deaf ears as both Janette and Brad  recognized  Dr. Eddie Philips. Eddie was the Surgery chief resident at Jose Reyes when Brad and Janette were just beginning their residency there.  But for Janette Eddie was more than the Surgery chief resident, she never ever told Brad that  she and Eddie once  dated in med school. Nothing ever developed after that but instead they became the best of friends, Best friends forever
But Janette  wouldn't dare tell that part of her life to  the possessive Brad.  That would just put awful ideas in him,Brad 's conceitedness  would not understand such a  notion.Brad  never believed of a man-woman friendship  without strings  attached.

"Come honey, Let's greet Eddie and welcome him to the neighborhood.. "Oh okay, " answered Janette softly,trying to contain her excitement.

" " Well howdy? neighbor. " greeted Brad. I am Brad and this is my wife,  Janette! butts Eddie with much enthusiasm"  Of course I know who you two are,   I was the Surgery chief resident when you two both started your residency training at Jose Reyes. so how many  kids have you got ? " We  have two girls ages 16  and 8." This is our little ray of sunshine, Chanda  the younger of the girls. Ate Chiqui  is at school Chanda was inattentive , She felt something in her eyes, she continues rubbing them.

""How about you Dr. Philips?"  where's your family? " Unfortunately,  I'm still single and looking

Oh, is that so?", said  Janette as he gently brushed Eddie's.left shoulder.

" Oh, it's getting dark now,come inside and join me and my driver/chef, Tommy.for dinner.so we won't feel alone this evening." Brad and Janette gladly obliged . As Eddie opened. the massive wooden door the inside  was as majestic as it looked outside, it led  to a spectacular living room with high ceilings and an elegant chandelier., Tommy, a 35 year old muscular built lad volunteered to push Brad's wheelchair across the long living room straight to the. exquisitely long dinner table. . There were  four chairs in the table. Janette sat at the farthest end while Tommy tucked Brad "s wheelchair near Eddie  who was sitting at the other end of the table.Chanda sat near her mom.Tommy sat close to the two men.  " I couldn't have been more happier to have found this place near the home of old friends and colleagues.. Let's have a toast for long life! Eddie noticed  a sad smile on  Janette's face from across the long table. They had a hearty dinner

Chanda asked her dad if they could roam around the  vast grounds." Okay, I'll wheel you myself Dr. Brad", volunteered Tommy.. "Go on, I'll just rest my legs for a while." said Janette

"dad, can we go look at the gazebo by the pool?" Brad and Chanda were left in awe with the enormity of the property  and the stunning design and architecture of the entire area
Brad can see through the tall glass windows that Eddie moved from  the end of the table to the chair Chanda sat on.Eddie was closer now to Janette and they seemed to be having a serious conversation.

"What's wrong, Janette?" why the sudden gloom  in your face?" It just feels like  our lifei is spinning  out of control.  Brad has  dialysis and therapy twice  a week And yet he questions my love for him.Our bills are piling up."I am embarassed that I keep asking help from my siblings and mom and as they were about to continue talking, Brad wheeling himself  shouting for Janette

""what's the matter?honey? " Janette nervously looked back at Brad thinking that  he. might have caught her in a daze. while in a serious  conversation with Eddie. Daddy, my eyes hurt said Chanda as she continued rubbing it.  Brad looked  at Chanda , her eyes bloodshot. Brad was worried sick.

"I don't  want to butt in but I suggest you give Chanda some  eyedrops watch her for a few hours maybe it's just an allergy but Chanda must stop rubbing her eyes and if it's just allergy maybe that would go away after  some time but if it persists you  bring her to the  nearest hospital." suggested Eddie