Cynda and the City Doctor - Theodora Taylor Page 0,12

Missouri Guacs will literally stop in the middle of the road to get that gossip.

“How about you?” I ask instead of answering her question. “What are you doing over here?”

“Just passin’ through actually. I’m headed into St. Louis for the weekend. Wanted to get these wares to the Lafayette Farmers Market before they try to shut us all down because of that Rona virus.”

My heart pangs. Rhys and I had spent many a lazy Saturday at the Lafayette Farmers’ Market. We’d sample the wares and talk very seriously about eating something other than takeout “when we had time.“ But I always cut that fantasy scenario short before we reached Mavis’s organic stand. I’d told myself it was because I didn’t want to give Mavis any gossip to carry back to Guadalajara….

“I think Farmers Markets are considered essential services either way. But is going into St. Louis a good idea right now?” I ask Mavis, frowning at the crates of asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, and various greens stacked neatly in the back of her truck. “I mean, do you even have a mask? Or gloves?”

Mavis waves a dismissive hand and makes a raspberry. “Don’t try to talk me out of going. I finally saved up enough to buy myself an RV in cash. One more Farmer’s Market, then I’m boarding up the farm and heading out for my big trip.”

I don’t have to ask where she’s going. Mavis has been talking about her big RV trip to the real Guadalajara for years now. I’m proud of her for meeting her goal, even if a solo road trip in a huge RV is the opposite of what I’d call a good time.

But still…. “I really don’t think you should be traveling right now. Missouri’s open, but that could change any day now with COVID spreading like it is.”

“Yeah, that’s why I want to get on the road as soon as possible. I don’t want Daddy Government trying to stop me. But if it makes you feel any better, I’ll wait until my end-of-the-month appointment with Dr. Haim. Wouldn’t mind making sure this ticker won’t hold me back.”

That was another reason I was proud of Mavis. A few years ago she was diagnosed with Stage 2 COPD. But three years later she has a great prognosis thanks to lifestyle changes like quitting cigarettes, eating right, and adding on exercise beyond the work she does at her little farm.

Since she doesn’t have children or any relatives living nearby, I get the feeling her big trip to the real Mexico is the thing that gave her reason to live better. Which is why I feel terrible that I can’t be more supportive.

Maybe that’s why instead of warning her off her trip again, I confess, “It won’t be Dr. Haim coming out to see you at the end of the month. He sold Dad’s practice to another doctor.”

“He sold! Is the doctor handsome this time? I can’t tell you how disappointed I was when that tiny Dr. Haim took over your daddy’s practice. I don’t got nothing against Jews—only reason I used to watch the voice was for that cutie, Adam Levine. But Dr. Mac was a fine brother. And I appreciated having somebody that good looking to check up on me, even if some of the White folks didn’t approve of a Black doctor when he first came to town. But at least Haim sold to another doctor instead of Big Medical. I swear I can’t sneeze at Guac Bap without them charging me fifteen dollars for a Kleenex. So is he handsome or what?”

I press my lips together at the thought of my father’s practice being sold a second time without me having any say in it. But I have to admit, “Yes, he’s handsome.”

“Oooh, can’t wait to meet him on Saturday!” Mavis puts her truck in drive. “See you at the end of the month!”

“Oh, I’m not going to…”

Mavis peels out in her surprisingly fast ancient truck before the, “be there either” makes it to my lips.

Well, I guess she’ll find out the hard way at the beginning of April.

I get my second surprise of the day when I arrive home.

A and E are posted up on the couch, eating chips and watching some show on Netflix I’ve never seen before. It looks like a documentary, featuring tigers and a real strange-looking guy with a blond mullet.

“What are you two doing home?” I demand, coming up behind them.

The twins jump. I’m sure I wouldn’t