Not wanting to put the phone down, I asked again, “Maggie, are you okay!?” This time I got an answer because she knows I never use her name unless I’m really wanting her attention.
“Yes, baby, just get me in to see Dr. Henderson,” she said, I thought a bit faintly, from the bedroom.
The receptionist just at that moment returned and said, “I’m sorry, Mr. Hart, but Dr. Henderson’s nurse is with a patient on the other line and Dr. Henderson is on rounds at the hospital until 4pm today.”
Gripping the phone, I said, “Look, you don’t understand. I don’t care if Dr. Henderson is on the damn moon. You’re going to get my wife an appointment today and you’re going to do it right now!”
“Excuse me, sir?” the receptionist said.
“You heard me and I’m not taking no for an answer. My wife is in pain and I’m not going to hang up this phone until you make me an appointment with Dr. Henderson!”
“May I put you on hold again, sir?” she said. Before I could say no I was on hold again, as Maggie said from the bedroom, “Jim, for god’s sake, calm down!”