Chapter 2 - The Doctors

Doctors Mark and Ken Cummings were without a doubt both undeniably male. They were every woman’s fantasy. Both brothers were the rugged, silent types along with being tall, dark and handsome. Together they possessed boyish charm and dimpled smiles that would make any person’s heart melt.

Both doctors worked and practiced at the same hospital (St. Anthony’s) in a small quaint once mining town on the outskirts of Denver, Colorado. Dr. Ken, as he sometimes went by, was a gastroenterologist and proctologist. Mark, his younger brother by four years, was an internist. The nurses and even the nuns at St. Anthony’s always took a double look when either one of them passed by. They never could decide which one was more attractive, Ken or Mark.

Mark was single and had moved in with his brother three years earlier. He had been offered a fellowship position on the hospital’s staff. It had been two months since Mark’s beautiful fiancee, Maureen, terminated their relationship by marrying a multimillionaire. Mark had become bitter and very unhappy. As a result he had lost some of his charm by becoming bad tempered. He’d managed to build up an unfavorable reputation with the hospital staff. Many of the nurses thought him to be egotistical and demanding. He had the capability to be sweet, gentle and loving, but he never showed that side to anyone except perhaps to his patients and rarely to family members. He figured that if he did show his gentle side, especially to women, it would make him vulnerable and at risk of getting hurt a second time. He was determined that he would never allow any woman to get that close to him ever again.

Ken, who was 34, was a widower. His wife had died three years earlier of colon cancer. Friends, relatives and colleagues knew he had purposely changed his medical specialty because of his wife’s illness. There were no children from the union, for which during many quiet times alone, Ken sadly regretted. He would forget his loss and loneliness by burying himself in his job. Unlike Mark, he managed for the most part to cope and get along well with almost everyone at the hospital.

Ken hadn’t dated much since Ann’s death. No one really excited him much. To him Ann was very special and irreplaceable. At least not until now. Today that circumstance would radically change for Dr. Kenneth Cummings.

Sr. Katherine, a middle age good looking woman, entered his office. She was a tall, statuesque woman that carried her white habit gracefully.

Dr. Cummings often wondered many times what she must of looked like in her youth because she still was a damn attractive looking woman at the age of 55.

Ken didn’t particularly care for most of the nuns at St. Anthony’s. To him they appeared to be frustrated, bitter, sanctimonious women running away from life and never knowing love.

But there was something about Sr. Katherine that was distinctly different. She was real and special. She possessed a sense of humor and more important, a genuine loving heart. He had interviewed many women for the job as his private nurse. He didn’t like any of them until he interviewed Sr. Kate, as he sometimes called her.

They had been a good team for the past six years. She was a hard working, compassionate and dedicated nurse. What Ken loved most about her was how gentle and nurturing she was with their patients. She had helped take care of Ann when she had become seriously ill and was a God sent during those heartbreaking last few months. To Ken she resembled an angel of mercy all glowing in white. Ken didn’t know what he would of done without her then and now. He had, along with the patients, come to love and appreciate her very much.

Ken’s back was turned away from the door when Sr. Kate entered his office. He always knew when she was approaching by the sound of her rosary beads rustling against her habit. She was placing several patient files on his desk when he turned and looked at her. “Sister Kate, do I have any more patients left for today?” He was tired and he wanted to go home early this evening. He was looking forward to spending, like most of his weekends, a quiet one at home, alone.

“You have one more for today at 2:00.” Sister answered. She added, “Her name is Miss Susan Sheridan.”

Seating himself down he thought a moment. “That name sounds familiar.” Ken said as he placed his hands behind his neck and stretched his tall, solid muscular frame while leaning back in his office chair. He had just returned three days previously from Bermuda with a wonderful tan. It made him look rakish and sexy. A vacation that was long over due and encouraged by both Sister Katherine and his brother Mark.

“If it sounds familiar to you doctor it’s because Miss Sheridan is a nurse here at the hospital.”

His curiosity was peaked. “Really, how long has she been here and what department does she work in?”

“Sue has been here for almost a year and she works in Pediatrics.” The nun answered as she returned to her office.

He became curious and got up from his chair to follow her into a connecting, smaller outer office. Leaning his manly build against the door frame he asked, “Did she get to fill out any patient forms when she made her appointment? I’m assuming that she made the appointment in person since she works here. Did she?”

Sister looked at Dr. Cummings from above her gold wire rim glasses and smiled. She knew where this was leading. “She came during her break last week to make the appointment and did not have enough time to fill out forms. Doctor, if you want to know her age and what she looks like all you need to do is ask me. I can tell you, what ever it is you need or want to know.” Sister thought she would tease him a bit by remaining silent for a few moments before answering.

“Well, I’m waiting.” Ken said impatiently.

“She’s single, 24 years old, and is an exceedingly beautiful, green eyed brunette.” Sister said smiling. “Does that meet with your approval doctor?”

Ken gave her a dazzling, dimpled, smile. His straight white teeth showed up magnificently against his new obtained sun tan. Sister thought all he needs is an earring and he would resemble a pirate. He said, “Mmmmmm, that sounds favorable, a brunette you say.” He asked, “What seems to be her problem?” He paused, cleared his throat and said seriously, “Remember Sister, we are health professionals here at St. Anthony’s not judges in a beauty contest.” Sister knew that he was making a weak attempt to redeem himself.

Sister gave him one of her doubtful looks and answered, “She’s suffering from severe constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and hemorrhoids .”

He frowned and exclaimed, “Ouch!” He added, “She sounds too attractive to be suffering with any of those maladies. ” Ken replied.

“Well, she has them just the same.” Sister said in a serious tone as she worked at her computer.

“How severe is the constipation?” He asked.

“Susan says there are many times in the month where she needs to give herself an enema in order to have a bowel movement.” she answered.

“That’s not good.” He replied

“What else do you know about her?” he asked.

“As a matter of fact I know quite a bit.” She smiled and purposely paused again.

“Sister, you are making me wait again.” He said impatiently, as he leaned his big chest over the edge of her desk with both palms down. He was looking down towards her. Sister noticed his handsome face was wearing a indecent grin.

She grinned back at him and said. “I know Susan and her younger sister Shannon, very well. There not from here. Originally, they come from Philadelphia. Shannon teaches Kindergarten here at St. Anthony’s Elementary School. Both are good Catholic girls and attend services regularly at St. Anthony’s. I help interviewed Susan when she applied for a job here. Later, we became friends. I get to see a lot of both girls. Sister stopped to take a breath. “They volunteer their time to help out for church affairs. One night about a month ago her sister Shannon called me at the convent. I could hear in her voice that she was anxious. She said that Susan was badly constipated and asked if I could come over and help her out. I said certainly. It was necessary to give Susan four large volume enemas plus a Higginson and a large rinse that night. Afterwards, I suggested to her than to make an appointment with you to look into these reoccurring problems. At the time she said she was embarrassed and wasn’t sure. It has taken her an entire month to decide to make an appointment to come and see you. Dr. Cummings.”

By this time Ken was sitting in a chair with one knee flexed over the other with his hand in his chin opposite her desk listening attentively. “I’m glad you suggested that she come for to me for help. That continued irregularity may be an indication of something serious.” Ken said in a concerned voice. His thoughts went back to his wife, Ann. “ Does her sister have similar problems as well?” Ken asked in a serious low husky voice.

“Susan said that Shannon suffers with a bad bout of constipation twice or three times a year. Apparently, according to Susan , when it does occur it’s very bad .”

“How ‘bad’?” He asked

“Susan said that there have been a number of times when Shannon hasn’t moved her bowels in a seven or eight day stretch. Apparently the episodes are becoming more frequent.” Sister replied.

Dr. Cummings frowned. “Neither girls’ problem sound good. How old is Shannon?”

“Shannon is 22 and is deathly afraid of doctors and nurses. She won’t let anyone but her sister come near her when she is ill. She can be a very troublesome patient. I might add she becomes visibly upset when she sees an enema bag or when you ask her anything related to medical questions concerning herself.”

“Interesting,” Ken said. “ I wonder what the underlying cause may be?”

“I think from what I can piece together, the cause may stem from a cruel aunt who was an RN. She took care of them when they were sick, or perhaps when they weren’t sick, from the time they were little girls up until they were in high school. I might add, she apparently was a fanatic when it came to giving an excessive amount of enemas.”

“What about Susan, is she also a difficult patient as well?” Dr. Cummings asked.

“On the contrary, she’s very good. She was very cooperative when I gave her a series of enemas at her home that evening. The first two enemas were extremely difficult for her, but she took it like a trooper.” Sister answered.

“I’m glad to hear that she is capable of being an obedient patient.” It makes our job easier.” Ken said

“However, doctor I should warn you. Susan can be quite tenacious, stubborn and outspoken when she wants to be. They both can be. However, with persistent gentle coaxing, Susan appears to be a little bit more pliable than Shannon.”

“I appreciate the warning Sister. He added, “We both know I can ALSO be stubborn. I don’t think that this Miss Sheridan will give us any problems. She’ll find out quickly that I’m the boss.” He said with confidence.

Sister knew that his authoritative tone was a smoke screen to hide his sweet side. However, there were a few times that she had witnessed him losing his temper with a patient or a hospital employee. It didn’t happen very often but when it did happen, LOOK OUT. On those rare occasions Dr. Ken would be called in by the hospital’s administrators and reprimanded for any impropriety that may have taken place. He always seemed to use his dynamic charm to talk his way out of it.

“I know Susan will be in good hands with you.” Sister said with a smile.

“Well…let’s hope Susan will think so too.” He said.

She said, “With your permission I will go ahead and prepare the instrument table for an extensive rectal exam.”

“Sister, if I’m going to look up this young lady’s bottom with a rectal scope, than she will need quite a few cleansing enemas first. Do you think we will have time today?”

“We have time.” She answered.

“It might mean staying overtime,” He said.

“I’m willing to stay over time doctor, if you are?” She replied.

“I owe you a favor Sister Kate, sure why not.” He said.

She added, “Incidentally, Susan had told me a day ago that her hemorrhoids are giving her considerable discomfort.” His handsome face was in deep thought.

“You like this girl, don’t you ?” He asked.

“I have become fond of both sisters. They are new here with no family and just a few close friends. Susan needed help a month ago and I was glad to be of some assistance. I feel that because her family is not here that perhaps I can encourage her and her sister to do what’s good for themselves.”

“You said earlier that she was embarrassed to come to me. Is she shy about revealing her body?” He asked.

“She wasn’t with me. But than again I’m another woman. There was a slight pause. Dr. Cummings, she is a nurse. She knows what to expect.”

He answered, “Sometimes, it puts the doctor at a disadvantage when the patient knows too much.” Ken thought for a moment and added, “ In any event, I feel it’s important to put her at ease by talking to her first in my office before she goes into the exam room to disrobe. Regardless of the fact that she is a nurse, I find that most young female patients, not ALL mind you, are a bit timid and bashful when it comes to exposing there bare behinds to a stranger; even if that stranger is a doctor.” He grinned to himself.

Sister Katherine said proudly. “That’s why I like working for you doctor. You are always so kind and considerate of your patients.”

“I try.” He said smiling. Before returning to his office he said in a low masculine voice, “Sister, put the first four rectal dilators and a small anal speculum on the tray. I have an inkling she is going to be excessively tight back there and will need a very slow and thorough dilation. I want her anal opening to be nicely distended before I insert the small speculum and proctoscope up and into her rectum. We both know if I go slow and long enough, discomfort will be minimal for her. Also, I will use that special anal cream on the instruments and my fingers instead of the KY jelly. That cream has a multiple purpose. It will be a great deal better for her hemorrhoids and it will also anesthetize her anal canal as well as help relax her sphincter.”

“Right away doctor.” Sister proceeded towards the examination room to get everything in preparation for Susan’s exam.

Ken looked at his watch and noted the time was 1:45. Soon he would get to meet this so called beauty and, God forgive him , and the REST OF HER.