"Thank you for coming on such short notice," the slim, handsome elderly woman greeted me with a heartwarming smile.

"It's my pleasure. I'm Dr. Respert. Where can I find my patient?" I asked, accepting the soft, wrinkled hand she offered.

"She's this way, " she said, leading me from the entryway through the living room filled with antique dolls: porcelain and cloth dolls filled corners and shelves throughout the room. Various old nature paintings lined the walls. Two Victorian seats sat in front of the burning fire in the unprotected fireplace.

"My mother's collections. She has been collecting dolls since she was a child. The older antique dolls were painted without smiles to ward of evil spirits. The paintings are her works of art from places she has been."

"The dolls are a little scary, but the paintings are lovely." My honesty made her laugh.

"I understand about the dolls. I try to avoid this part of the house as much as possible. Momma is in the next room. Follow me."

Her mother's hospital bed filled up most of the space. A nightstand supported her monitoring equipment that beeped periodically.

My patient's lean body was covered with taut skin and a blanket to keep her warm in the already overheated room. Her left hand laid on top of the family Bible resting on her stomach.

"I'm Sandra, Dr. Respert. This is my mother, Margarette, " she let go of my hand and squeezed her mother's foot.

"Who's there?"Margarette's weak voice called out.

"Dr. Respert is here to see you, "Sandra answered.

"Gary, I don't want to see a new doctor. Tell her to leave." She demanded, pointing at her daughter, Sandra.

"Ms. Margarette, I am Dr. Respert, " I corrected her, setting my bag on the side of her bed.

"Don't call me by my first name. It's Mama!"

I removed my stethoscope from my doctor's bag, quickly glancing at Sandra and her disheartened smile.

"Ms. Margarette..."

"It's Mama! Don't make me tell you again, " she warned.

"Mama..." I nervously smiled at her. "Can I listen to your heart?"

"Still playing doctor, I see, " she laughed. "Go ahead, but first, get her out of here. I don't like strangers seeing me in my unmentionables. Where are my dungarees?"

What are dungarees?

Confused, I looked at Sandra. "Do you mean you want your daughter to leave?"

"She is not my daughter!" Margaret protested. "Gary, you know your sister is a little girl!"

"It's the Alzheimer's," Sandra came close and whispered. "She will remember me in a minute."

"I see. The office told me about your mother's heart, not the Alzheimer's. It makes sense now."

"Gary!"

"Dr. Respect." Leaning in, I placed the stethoscope against her chest.

"It's cold!" She cried out. "Gary, why didn't you warm it up first?"

"Sorry, and it's Dr. Respert."

"You always was a prankster, " Mama said.

"Who is Gary?" I asked Sandra.

"You are! Are you feeling alright?" Mama asked, her eyes closing as she fell back to sleep.

"Sorry, Dr. Respert. Gary was my older brother; he passed away when I was younger. Mama's memories often come from when we were young. She confuses young men with Gary. Usually, she asks me over and over where little Sandra is at. It breaks my heart, " Sandra shared.

"Sorry to hear about your brother. Your mother's heart rate is low. I think we should cut back on her blood pressure medicine, " I instructed

"Gary!! When did you get here?"

"Just play along until the exam is done," Sandra told me as I took her mother's temperature.

"Did you see Sandra when you came in? She was supposed to bring me my tea?"

"I will remind her. " Even though she was wrapped up tight, her temperature was ninety-five point six.

Margarette dozed off in the middle of the checkup, and I completed my exam without any more outbursts. Quietly, I gave Sandra instructions and a new prescription for her mother's blood pressure.

"Thank you for coming."

"It was my pleasure. Take care, " I said, preparing to leave.

"Sandra, who is your friend?" Margarette asked safely.

"This is Dr. Respert; he came to give you a check-up."

"Where did Gary go? Did he leave?" Her dull eyes were filling with tears.

"Yes, Mama. Gary left." Sandra told her sadly

"I pray he avoids that Jordan boy. He's nothing but trouble." Her chattiness was causing her to take deep breaths just to breathe between words. "I miss him."

" I know you do, Mama, " Sandra soothed.

"Say goodbye to Doctor Respert. I am going to walk him out, " Sandra told her.

"Gary!" Margarette exclaimed, "When did you get here?"