Looking For a Balanced Life

Trevor spoke. “Daniela please continue to play that was beautiful.”

She stood looking at her mother for a minute then handed it to Trevor and fled to her mother sobbing. Memories of her family gatherings were too painful for her to continue. Carmen kissed her daughter repeatedly to calm her then whispered in her ear. Carmen then departed as suddenly as she’d appeared, and Daniela returned to Rita’s side.

As Carmen returned to the RV in the dim light of night a voice spoke, and she paused startled.

“Carmen that was a very moving performance and I’m glad I came out to see what the change of pace was in the noise cabin. You are remarkably talented. Do you have to return to the RV as the night is still young and I’m looking for someone to talk to. The grandparents like their early nights.”

Carmen peered at the dark figure trying to establish who was talking with her though she knew it could only be Scott. She shrugged. He was harmless. She spoke.

“There’s a nice bench there by the lake and the moon and star reflection on the lake is amazing so let’s sit there for a while. You should be tired after that long trip from home, so I won’t keep you up long.”

But the clear cool mountain air and beautiful scene in front of them energized them both and it was quite late before they finally retired to bed. In the interval of that couple of hours they’d poured out their different lives to each other and the traumas each had suffered since loss of their loved ones and felt a sense of release in that disclosure. Each went to bed feeling they’d enjoyed each other’s company. Scott at forty-five and Carmen at age forty-two though from different backgrounds and experiences felt they’d things in common that could form a friendship helping them deal with the issues they each faced on this vacation.

For the rest of the vacation Brett followed Daniela around like a puppy and Daniela luxuriated it this new acceptance. Both Trevor and Rita were happy to see this development though the young adults continued to do everything together taking turnabout operating the boat on the lake with the others attached water skiing to develop their skills. Hiking was a great experience and now and then they’d some across wild animals and pause to watch them enjoying this natural environment.

Daniela would play of an evening on the borrowed guitar and Carmen would coach the young adults in Spanish dance steps while Scott watched. The stress of his high-pressure specialist work evaporated as he enjoyed this new experience. One evening Carmen left her coaching of the young adults and headed for Scott content to sit and watch. She pulled him protesting to his feet and began to teach him the rudiments of Spanish dance while he continued to protest but she insisted and eventually he gave up protesting and tried to learn but he was not very good at it. Finally, Carmen gave up and let him sit. But the next evening she tried again until he was beginning to get the rhythm and moves better. The young adults watched this new development with interest and laughed about it behind their backs, but they were pleased, nevertheless. Scott had not had this much enjoyment since his wife Amelia was able to function in the home in years before her death and he knew he would miss the warmth of this friendship when he returned to his stressful job.

One evening as their vacation time was ending and Carmen and Scott were enjoying the evening by the lake before retiring to bed Scott spoke what had been going through his mind for a couple of days.

“Carmen you trained as a General Practitioner in the US long ago. Have you decided if you will be going back to this profession or are you aiming for a change of career?”

Carmen thought for a while before responding.

“I loved that profession Scott but will probably have to go back to school for catch up courses but I’m leaning in that direction.”

“Would you like me to investigate what you’d have to do to get your license back again Carmen? I’m quite influential and could help you.”

Carmen smiled to herself. She was perfectly capable of doing this, but his interest appealed to her.

“I’d appreciate that Scott I feel that’s the career I need to pursue here but am anxious to get Daniela back into school and help her choose a career for herself before I immerse myself again in my profession. I’m sick with worry over what my son is up to. It was foolish of him to join in the insurrection as it can only get him killed in the end and for what purpose. Venezuela will not change in a hundred years unfortunately. Our future is here now.”

Both sat in silence appreciating the reflections on the lake. Then Scott spoke again.

“Did you know there’s a highly ranked university in the city we live in Carmen. What course of study do you think Daniela would like to pursue? If she decided on a career choice, they offer I’d be quite happy to have her live with us as we have a large home and my teens have taken quite a shine on her. I understand the Parks are sending Rita overseas for study, so she’d have the company of my children when Rita leaves if that appeals to you.”

“Thank you, Scott that is very kind, and I’ll keep it in mind as Daniela and I work on the career of her choice. Perhaps you could send me details of the majors offered in the university you’re mentioning.”

Carmen knew she could get on the internet and access those details without Scott’s input but for some reason she felt like letting him take an interest in her daughter’s future. It would be hard on Daniela when Rita departed to take further studies abroad and she could not continue to take advantage of the Parks family and was anxious to be independent as soon as she could. She had adequate funds to buy a home and spend on refresher courses and her visa was one that allowed her to work. She also had enough to see her daughter through university. A medical career was welcome in any country. This vacation in the mountains had helped her and her daughter cope with their grief and she was grateful for Scott’s company during this time. She had no romantic thoughts in their relationship but enjoyed his company and good humor and his intellectual conversations in an area she enjoyed working with. That was important as she oriented to living permanently in America. She spoke.

“Scott, I’ll give you my phone number and messaging details tomorrow morning, so I don’t forget before we all leave in two days’ time. You can send me details of the university and if you give me your details I can scan and send you copies of my documentations in connection with qualifications and experience.”

Scott stood and reached into his pocket for his wallet then moved over to the nearest streetlight and searched for his calling card coming back quickly and handing it to Carmen. She smiled as she received the card.

“That was quick Scott, and it reminds me I need to print up some calling cards myself as I’ll need them when job searching.”

She stood and kissed him on both cheeks turning quickly to head for her RV. She was tired and wanted to sleep but had that warm feeling of acceptance in this new land and felt she’d sleep well this evening. The loss of her husband was still there in the background, but she felt she now had a family to help steer her through her grieving process. The Parks family who’d been long term friends and now the Fischer family.

Little did Scott and Carmen know the Parks and Fischer family had not been sleeping as supposed these past few nights but had watched the couple from their dark quarters by the lake intermittently until they’d seen them both head for their respective quarters each night only then going to their rest expressing hope the two would eventually see the need of each other.

Rita and Daniela had also watched the bonding of Scott and Carmen with growing interest. They didn’t know what to make of it and Daniela pretended irritation when Rita teased her but was not unhappy her mom had found someone to have as a friend around her mother’s age. They were strangers in this country and looking for acceptance and if this man did not attempt to replace her father, she was happy for the friendship. Daniela also faked irritation when Rita teased her about Brett, but secretly she enjoyed Brett’s obvious interest in her and in subtle ways communicated she was open to his continued interest. On their last day at the camp site Daniela waited until Rita was not looking and handed Brett her phone number and email address. When it appeared, he was about to rush and get pencil and paper to do the same she put up her hand to prevent him and whispered for him to give her that information when they returned to their respective homes as she didn’t want Rita to know. Brett was surprised but nodded in agreement. He spoke hesitatingly.

“I’m going to miss you very much Daniela and can hardly wait to contact you as soon as I get home.”

“Te voy a extrañar también Brett.”

Brett looked puzzled.

“I didn’t understand Daniela.”

She laughed and gave him a playful slap swapping to English.

“Then you really do need to take some Spanish courses don’t you Brett as I feel more comfortable expressing myself in Spanish.”

She ran to join Rita who was looking for her friend laughing at the puzzled expression on Brett’s face. She’d need to take an interest in improving this boy to see if he was destined to be of more permanent interest. She could explore that from a distance. Then her attitude changed as she remembered the good times shared with her own brother Luis as they grew up together. He was so foolish to decide to remain in Venezuela knowing he was probably on the ruling party hit list now. So many had disappeared thinking they could come to the rescue of their people. He was particularly vulnerable having been born in the US where Carmen chose to have her births at a hospital, she’d interned in long ago then return with them to Venezuela. They knew Luis could potentially claim US citizenship by birth so the ruling party could accuse him of being a spy for the US.

Scott Gina and Brett arrived home feeling well rested from their vacation and in each case reluctant to return to work and school after such a good time with their relatives and new friends. Gina watched her brother closely after Rita had whispered in her ear before they said goodbye to go in different directions and Brett wondered why Gina was spending so much time in his room as she’d not done that before they went on vacation. While he was out of the room helping his father clean up the RV before storing it for next trip, she checked his cell phone and there it was. A message from Daniela in response to Brett’s message giving his details and Gina was elated. She sped to her room and messaged Rita. Then headed for the kitchen to prepare the meal.

Scott attended office staff meeting that day after returning from vacation and reviewed the schedule of appointments and surgical operations after considering administrative staff issues. After dismissing the meeting, he asked his partners to stay for consultations before they began patient consultations for the morning. He shared with them his decision to moderate his professional activities in the interests of his teenage children. This had the immediate interest of his two partners in the practice Paul Stewart and Phil Hodges. Paul the senior of the two spoke first.

 “Scott you are our primary draw card for this practice as the former head of surgery at the university hospital and your continuing presence there as a visiting lecturer. What are you giving up in reducing pressure? We have been telling you for some time we three can’t cope with the patient demand as we are considered the ranking heart surgeons in the city, so we get most of the referrals. Your answer has always been we have an obligation to save lives but what about our own lives. We thought with university on vacation and the yearly lull in hospital admissions as people went on vacation themselves it would be safe for us to take off but there was an unusual rush of heart cases while we were away, and you worked day and night. We can’t do this anymore and obviously you need to take the pressure off. We have been suggesting for some time we need another partner in the practice and if you are thinking about dropping out, we will need to start searching for two of the best to join us. What’s going on?”

Phil followed up with his own comment.

“Agreed on the need to urgently seek out suitable help but we may have to shop around in other cities for the best as we have top reputation and don’t want to dilute that. Would you have by chance met someone to suddenly change your thinking on this vacation.”

Both partners laughed as they were all the best of friends after working so many years together. However, the mood changed when they observed the irritation on Scott’s face, and they sobered up. Paul and Phil looked at each other knowingly but waited for Scott to respond to their suggestions. Scott resumed his business-like professional attitude and forced a smile.

“You guys sure know how to get under my skin with your jokes but it’s not going to work today. Paul, would you set in motion a search for another partner of the highest caliber and see how we can negotiate something reasonable in the way we share our partnership funds around. I know we are overdue for our patient appointments this morning and am not in favor of night meetings anymore so could we get together earlier tomorrow morning?”

The other two nodded in agreement and got up to go to their consulting rooms. On the way out, Phil paused.

“Scott, have you considered Brian Hoover at the university. He’s the one who has always filled in for Malcom Owens your replacement as head of the department at the university when Malcom is away. They are grooming him to replace Malcom when he retires but Brian has indicated he wants out of that rat race into private practice. Should I put out feelers to see if he’s interested in talking?”

Scott nodded.

“Talk with Paul before you do but he’s highly qualified and respected. The university has access to the best from around the world so would find a replacement soon enough. Of course, Malcom would be really ticked off at us for stealing him.”

To be continued.

Copyright Notice

© Copyright 2023 Ian Grice, “ianscyberspace.” All rights reserved.