Robin Cook by Mindbend

last seen him. There were lots of new creases across his forehead.
    Dr. Schonberg acknowledged Adam’s greeting by nodding his head. He did not stand up.
    Adam advanced to the desk, looking down into his father’s heavily shadowed eyes. Adam didn’t see any softening there.
    â€œAnd to what do we owe this unexpected visit?” asked Dr. Schonberg.
    â€œHow is mother?” asked Adam, sensing that his fears had been correct. The meeting was already going poorly.
    â€œNice of you to ask. Actually, she’s not too good. She had to have shock treatment again. But I don’t want to trouble you with that news. Especially considering the fact that your marrying that girl had a lot to do with her condition.”
    â€œThat girl’s name is Jennifer. I would hope after a year and a half you could remember her name. Mother’s condition started with David’s death, not my marrying Jennifer.”
    â€œShe was just recovering when you shocked her by marrying that girl.”
    â€œJennifer!” corrected Adam. “And that was seven years after David’s death.”
    â€œSeven years, ten years, what does it matter? You knew what marrying out of your religion would do to your mother. But did you care? And whatabout me? I told you not to marry so early in your medical career. But you’ve never had consideration for the family. It’s always been what you wanted. Well, you got what you wanted.”
    Adam stared at his father. He didn’t have the energy to argue in the face of such irrationality. He’d tried that on their last meeting one and a half years ago with no result whatsoever.
    â€œDon’t you care what is happening to me, how medical school is going?” asked Adam, almost pleading.
    â€œUnder the circumstances, no,” said Dr. Schonberg.
    â€œWell, then I made a mistake coming,” said Adam. “We’re in a financial bind and I thought that enough time had passed to make it possible for me to talk to you about it.”
    â€œSo now he wants to talk finances!” said Dr. Schonberg, throwing up his hands. He glared at his son, his heavy-lidded eyes narrowed. “I warned you that if you willfully went ahead with the marriage to that girl I was going to cut you off. Did you think I was joking? Did you think I meant for a couple of years only?”
    â€œAre there no circumstances that might make you reconsider your position?” asked Adam quietly. He knew the answer before he asked and decided not even to bother telling his father that Jennifer was pregnant.
    â€œAdam, you’re going to have to learn to take responsibility for your decisions. If you decide something, you have to stick to it. There is no latitude for shortcuts or compromises in medicine. Do you hear me?”
    Adam started for the door. “Thanks for the lecture, Dad. It will come in handy.”
    Dr. Schonberg came around from behind his desk. “You’ve always been a smart aleck, Adam. But taking responsibility for your decisions is one lesson you have to learn. It’s the way I run this department for the FDA.”
    Adam nodded and opened the door. Margaret backed up clumsily, not even bothering to pretend that she hadn’t been listening. Adam went for his coat.
    Dr. Schonberg followed his son into the waiting room. “And I run my personal life the same way. So did my father before me. And so should you.”
    â€œI’ll keep it in mind, Dad. Say hello to Mom. Thanks for everything.”
    Adam turned down the corridor and walked to the elevator. After pushing the button, he looked back. In the distance Margaret was waving. Adam waved back. He never should have come. There was no way he was going to get money out of his father.
    â€¢ • •
    It wasn’t raining when Jennifer stepped from their apartment building, but the skies looked threatening. In many ways she thought that March was the worst month in New York. Even