The Diagnosis
A Short Story
By Alison Lawrence
"Busy today, isn't it?" Said Janie as she took a seat next to Brent. A nurse called a number, and Janie looked down at Brent's. They had a long way to go. Brent took his phone out, and opened a game. "Got to keep my fingers busy." He smiled his boyish grin, and Janie felt a sudden urge to tuck a stray blonde curls behind his ear.
"I might just finish my library book. At any rate, I'm prepared for a wait." Janie gestured at her bag.
"Sure hope the wait is worth it. Maybe I will finally get some answers." Said Brent.
Janie nodded."I hope so too, for your sake. I know how much you struggle sometimes." She twisted her long, brown ponytail, and Brent looked up from his phone for a minute and smiled. "Not just for my sake, Janie, for yours too."
Janie reached over, and touched his hand, then settled in for the wait. The doctor that Brent was scheduled to see, was known for his thoroughness, so he wouldn't rush through the patients ahead of Brent.
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Janie's book was surprisingly good. She became absorbed in the tale, and lost track of time.
"Number twelve, please."
Next to her, Brent started, and stood up quickly.
"Praying for you." Janie said softly.
"Thanks."
Janie opened her book again, but found it hard to concentrate. She closed it after a few minutes, and did some people watching and praying instead.
"Lord, please give the doctor wisdom."
An hour later, Brent returned to the waiting room, a slightly bemused look on his face, and a script from the doctor in his hand. "It's ADD, Janie. I've had it all along. The doctor said I can take some medication to help with my concentration problem."
Janie's eyes widened. "ADD? Well, I guess it does make sense. What about the way you hyper-focus on things? Is that part of it?"
"Yes, people with ADD can really get their teeth into something, and can keep at it until the bitter end."
Brent laughed. They were waiting for his medication now. "It's both good and bad, as you know too well. When I'm hyper-focusing on something, I'm not the best husband, am I?"
Janie said nothing. She studied her hands instead. "But this medication will help?"
"Apparently. The doctor said it will help me to stay on track at work. I'm not sure if it will tame the hyper-focus thing." He turned Janie's face gently towards his. "The medication will help, but God has been helping us all this time, Janie. Otherwise, we wouldn't still be together, would we?"
Janie smiled and shook her head. "No. I don't think so."
"Can you still love me, knowing that I have weird brain wiring?" Brent's eyes looked half serious, half mischievous.
Janie kissed him then, not caring who saw.
"Your brain wiring is what makes you special." She chuckled, and tapped her head. "The question is, can you put up with mine?"
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Copyright: Alison Lawrence
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