Little Boy Promise

PROLOGUE

January 2003

I don’t believe in happily-ever-afters.  Early on during my medical training, I’ve had my share of disastrous and inexplicable cases.  Children suffering for absolutely no reason.  Families tearing apart by terminal illnesses. Couples breaking up for causes beyond their control.  And elderly wanting and ready to die, yet mercilessly live on.

I made a rather drastic change after my internship.  Switching from medicine to law was something I had not anticipated.  That career change, however, did not alter my outlook in life.  To a certain extent, it was my way of thumbing my nose at the establishment.  Something happened during the latter part of my internship had prompted my career change, but that’s another story.

Sometimes things happen, period.  You can embrace it, or you can ignore it.  With Jack Devine, we did neither.  Against all odds, we fought until the very end.

It’s been over a year since Jack was listed as missing and presumed dead at the World Trade Center on 9-11.  I am surprised Gina hasn’t come to see me sooner.  A victim of the past, she still has that sparkling youthful look.  The woeful eyes occasionally hidden by the long curly blonde hair.

The first thing I’d like to know is why she went MIA on us.  I suppress the question for the time being.

“Happy New Year!”  Gina exclaimed.

“How did you know it’s Chinese New Year?”

“How could anyone not know?  It’s been in the news the past days.”

“So, it’s been a long time,” I gave her a lead in.

“I miss Jack.  I miss Jack terribly.” She had always been honest with me, or so I thought.

“We’ve all missed Jack.”

“But you are the great impervious Dr. Nathan Lee.”

I laughed at such a remark.  “Don’t put me on any pedestal.  I have lactose intolerance.  I need my Dunkin Donut coffee in the morning, and those small prints are much easier to read with my goofy-looking eye-glasses.”

Gina gave me a half-hearted smile.