COVERSTORY
would discuss this course of action with her patient before deciding on the best option. Lisa herself had met her husband at her heaviest, at almost 90 lbs overweight. They had met each other through a mutual friend in graduate school. When he had learned of her specialization, he had commented that it was interesting she was studying to, in essence, cure obesity when she herself was overweight. She had wanted to say that it wasn’t obesity per se that she wanted to cure the diseases that came along with the condition, if allowed to run rampant, but at that moment, all she had been able to do was gape, sputter a little, glare at their mutual friend and just walk away. Jaime had gone after her while apologizing profusely and saying that he was just really very, very stupid with words.
MOBI L E ISSU E
148
Lisa had lost the weight over time but would never really be the tall and skinny type since her frame was not made that way. However, she was certainly a fan of nutrition and exercise and recommended the slow, sure and steady way to weight loss to all her patients. At around 2:00 PM, and with only one more meeting at 4:45p.m left to go, Lisa begins to wonder where Jaime is. He is due back today and should have been home already. She checks her phone sure enough a message appears, stating that he had been delayed and would be coming back tomorrow morning instead. When Alyssa arrives from school at 3:00 PM to discover that her father had still not arrived, she frowns in obvious disappointment. Lisa pats her head and explains that daddy is very sorry. “He promises to give you a call later and to read you a bedtime story.” After dinner and all the necessary bedtime ablutions, Lisa sends Jaime a text to say it was OK to call. They use a tablet to answer Jaime’s call so they could see him better. Alyssa laughs at her father’s giant head on the screen. Lisa listens to her husband’s voice and her child’s soft breathing. As soon as her daughter falls asleep, she takes the tablet to the room she shares with Jaime and smiles at him. “I miss you,” she tells him fondly, noting his disheveled hair and the glasses sitting askew on the bridge of his nose. He grins and returns the sentiment. “Me too. Can’t wait to get back home to my girls.” “Martha included?” she asks teasingly. “Definitely,” he says with a nod. “I’ve had to turn the AC on and off here with a remote. No regulator.” He shows her his hand. “My index finger is starting to feel the strain.” She traces the image on the tablet with a finger and laughs. “You poor baby. Come back home safe. See you tomorrow.” “See you tomorrow,” he replies with a soft smile.