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Ruth Buchanan |
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Ruth Buchanan |
Ruth, who had been avidly taking a Good Housekeeping quiz on relationships, jumped slightly when the office door slammed. She'd been waiting for nearly an hour for her lab test results, and was on her second skimming of the outdated magazines. She was bored and hoping for something diverting to happen.
The woman standing just inside the glass office door appeared interesting enough to create a diversion. Standing nearly six feet tall, and as statuesque as a duchess, she gave the others in the waiting room a brief glance before stepping to the receptionist’s desk. Her voice, low and mellow, carried to where Ruth was still puzzling over her quiz results.
“I have an appointment... Katherine Rowland.”
“Of course, ma’am. If you wouldn’t mind taking a seat, the doctor will see you shortly.”
Ruth, who had just discovered that according to the quiz it appeared she would live forever as a wizened spinster, tossed the magazine aside and turned to the woman now sitting near her.
“Hey,” she smiled hopefully.
The woman named Katherine Rowland gave her a withering stare over the tops of her shell-rimmed glasses. “Do I know you?” her voice dripped ice.
“Erm–no,” Ruth’s hands nervously attempted to smooth her frizzy hair.
“Well, then why are you talking to me?” Katherine crossed her legs and turned slightly away from Ruth.
But Ruth wasn’t about to give up that easily. Bending down, she rummaged through her bag until she had unearthed a tattered copy of Searching for Light. “Excuse me–um–Katherine...” Her voice trailed off as Katherine’s eyes flicked back to her. “It’s just that, well, I was wondering...I couldn’t help but recognize your name... Will you sign my copy of your book?” The last bit came out in a rush.
So Katherine condescended scrawl her name in Ruth’s book and even chat politely for a few minutes until the receptionist called Ruth’s name.
“There’s been a problem with your paperwork,” the receptionist’s nasal voice rang through the waiting room, “I’m afraid we’ve had to burn your lab tests and shred your medical records. Have a nice day.”
Ruth turned to say goodbye to Katherine, but she had vanished.
This background graphic courtesy of Boogie Jack's Web Depot.
©2004 Rowland Books |