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Chapter Twenty Seven

Dr. Tim Allen was hired shortly after his interview with Doc Summers. As expected, Doc Summers found it difficult to extract himself from the practice but he knew he must do so in order to give Tim a fair chance. He busied himself on the ranch with his horses and with writing his memoirs.
He still, however, managed to spend a good amount of time around the clinic, particularly when there was an overflow, at which time Tim would not hesitate to have him called in.
Lisa began to spend more and more time at the clinic. Her interest extended beyond the "hands-on" aspects of acquiring nursing and office skills, to a desire to be in the presence of Tim. This pleased him, but he kept a low profile, purposely avoiding an intimate personal relationship. Lisa's personal feelings about Tim only enhanced her high opinion of him as a professional doctor. At times there was silent disharmony in the office as Ellie and Leona did not share Lisa's opinion.
Half expecting a meaningful relationship to eventually develop with Tim, plus her continued concern with her mother's health, made Lisa continue to postpone her return to California. She let herself believe that her mother's health was the primary reason but that wasn't entirely true.
Mama wanted very much that her daughter pursue her goals in California but respected her decision to remain in Pattersville. She, along with Bernice, were the only ones Lisa had confided in regarding her feelings about Tim.
As the days passed, Tim became increasingly demanding and arrogant. He was naively unaware of the personality disorder that afflicted him. And Lisa was blinded to it because of her growing love for him. It was obvious to the staff, though, and to many of the patients who came in. Curiously, Doc Summers chose not to intervene.
The problem finally came to a head one morning in July. Lisa entered the building that morning in her normal cheerful mood. "Hey, you guys," she said, addressing Ellie and Leona. "You know it's Doc Tim's birthday tomorrow. How about we do something special like taking him to Arnold's for lunch and have Arnold arrange to get a little birthday cake?"
There was a minute of cold silence. Tim hadn't come in yet, so just the three of them were there. Ellie was first to speak. "Lisa, I don't like your doctor Tim," she said bluntly.
Lisa's face expressed shock and bewilderment. She slumped down in one of the waiting room couches. Her two friends were glaring at her like menacing strangers.
"Why?" she pleaded.
Ellie and Leona glanced at each other. Lisa had come to be a dear friend of theirs and they certainly didn't want to hurt her. Lisa's sad face caused the ice in their eyes to melt and they spontaneously sat down beside her, each grasping one of her hands.
"Honey, we know how you feel but it's time we spoke our minds."
Deep inside, Lisa knew what was coming, even before Ellie began to explain. She could no longer fool her true heart.
"Let me put it to you simple, hon." Ellie spoke in a frank, yet compassionate tone. "Tim's got an ego about as big as this building. People don't like to come here anymore because he makes them feel inferior.
"For example, do you know Ida May? She's the big black lady that I think mainly comes in here just to visit Doc Summers and bring him fresh greens from her garden. Well, Tim told her yesterday that she oughta lose weight and that she was too fat from eating all that sow belly and corn bread. That really hurt her feelings. I felt like kicking him. And with us, he has subtle little ways of making insulting innuendoes. And lately he's been getting bossier than ever. He doesn't act that way much with you and you're not always here to see it.
"I tell you Lisa, if it weren't for Doc Summers and the good people in this town, I'd be outta here."
"Is that the way you feel too Leona?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so," Leona said sadly.
"I guess I've recognized too," whispered Lisa with a remorseful sigh. Tears started to well in her eyes. Her two friends embraced her in an attempt to offer comfort.
They decided to have a birthday party for Tim anyway. They invited Mama, Doc Summers, Sissy and Jake, and some of the townspeople whom Tim had managed to befriend. Also, the people who happened to be at the restaurant would be invited to join in.
Arnold fixed the place up with balloons, ribbon stretched across the ceiling, and other party decorations. He liked to do that. This would be a festive occasion. Doc Summers intended to toast his replacement and officially welcome him to their little town of Pattersville. Doc Summers ordered Arnold's best champagne for the purpose and confided in Arnold that he had high hopes for Tim despite what was going on.
Champagne, food, music, laughter, dancing and fellowship-everyone had a good time. Jake and Sissy, who had brought Lisa and Mama, left early in order to get Mama home. By ten thirty everyone had left except Lisa and Tim.
After thanking the last of his well-wishers, Tim remarked to Lisa, "Nobody has ever done anything like this for me before." There was a note of restrained humility in his voice. He tilted his head back as if to examine the remaining balloons stuck to the ceiling, a deliberate move to prevent Lisa from seeing the joy in his eyes. But there was an underlying inflection of self-pity there, also.
In a surprise move, he asked, "If I were to invite you over to my place for a nightcap, would you accept?"
"Try me." Her heart exploded with happiness.

Tim's apartment was exceptionally neat and clean. To the smallest detail, everything seemed to be in its place.
With the lights dimmed and music playing softly, they danced. Lisa had never felt more drawn to or more in love with a man than at this moment. Tim caressed her face with his hand and kissed her on the cheek, and then on the lips. They were both intensely aware of the chemistry between them. He moved slowly and she flowed with him in natural rhythm. Her body tingled at his touch. He took her by the hand and led her into the bedroom. Then, minutes later, this night that had started out so wonderful, abruptly changed. Tim could not consummate the lovemaking process-he withdrew in the course of the act .
"All of a sudden I'm not feeling very good, Lisa, I think I better take you home."
Lisa felt embarrassed, rejected. "Is it me?" she asked, despondently.
"No! No!" he replied, tersely, himself confused at this bazaar behavior. He evaded further discussion on the matter. The ride home was silent.
She climbed in bed without waking Mama. Her thoughts were intense. 'First the heartbreak of losing my father, then my terrible experiences with Willy, abusive husbands and boyfriends, losing my baby and now this. Why? Why? Why does this have to happen when every thing else is going so well? Is it all worth it?' she demanded.
She cried herself to sleep like she had done so often, since the day her life was shattered by the death of her beloved father.