Page 7 of Healed By the Grumpy Elf

"I'll review the inventory," I concede stiffly. "And we will continue with the treats and toys on a temporary basis only. Please advise the patients that I will only give sugary treats to children under certain conditions. And always reluctantly."

A small, satisfied smile crosses her face.

"Wonderful. Now, shall we continue the tour? I think you'll be quite pleased with the equipment."

As she leads the way, I cast one last glance at the childish artwork lining the walls. This place is so different from the High Court; I can hardly believe someone actually managed to practice medicine here. Yes, it will have to change.

But not all at once. Even I know this wouldn’t go well with the patients. Or with Mrs. Beckham.

The people of Saltford Bay want a doctor who will coddle them with stickers and herbal teas? Well, they're about to learn what real medicine looks like.

And if they don't like it, they're welcome to find another physician.

Though, as Mrs. Beckham pointedly reminded me during our correspondence, I'm the only one within fifty miles. It doesn’t take long for us to finish the visit and for Mrs. Beckham to show me to Dr. Wells’ old office. I’m unreasonably happy when she finally leaves me alone.

I sit behind the wide oak desk, noticing the warm worn surface. This is where my predecessor sat for five decades, caring for the patients of this small, sleepy town.

And I’m stepping in his shoes, like it or not.

I settle into the office and read through the patient files for the appointments of the day. At least and despite his poor taste in professional office decor, Dr. Wells kept an immaculate record of his patients’ medical history.

An hour passes while I catch up with the files for my patients until Mrs. Beckham pokes her head inside the office door.

“Your first patient is here, Dr. Reizenhart.” Her lips purse in a warm smile. "Becky Boulderbrook is very eager to meet the new doctor in town!"

I thank the nurse and get up to put on my white coat, then head over to the examination room. My patient sits on the narrow cot, smiling broadly as I enter the room.

She's a young troll woman, her gray-green skin sporting a healthy glow despite her obvious discomfort. Her belly protrudes prominently beneath her floral maternity dress, and her curly brown hair flows all the way to her waist. She winces as she leans back, rubbing a hand on her distended stomach.

"Good morning. I'm Doctor Lorian Reizenhart."

We shake hands and I flip open her chart.

"Ms. Boulderbrook, I see you're experiencing some back pain."

"It's been awful." She shifts uncomfortably on the crinkly paper. "I can barely sleep, and nothing I try seems to help. I can't stand over ten minutes at a time before the pain gets too much to handle. I can't very well lie down all day!"

I smile and nod as I examine her and her baby, then proceed to declare them both in perfect health. A few questions later, I'm certain of my diagnosis.

As she sits back, helped by Nurse Beckham, I pull out her chart and make notes in her file.

"Back pain is a common complication of pregnancy, especially in trolls and particularly in the third trimester." I nod to her belly. "Your species' bone density combined with the weight distribution of the fetus creates excessive lumbar pressure."

"My bone density?" Becky Boulderbrook blinks at me, her yellow eyes widening slightly. "What am I supposed to do about this? It's not like I can change it."

Her bright smile falters as I grunt noncommittally. I snap her file shut.

"I'll prescribe an anti-inflammatory suitable for trolls in gestation. It may result in lower birth weight, but it’s worth the risk." I pull out my prescription pad. "Limit standing to fifteen-minute intervals. Return if symptoms worsen."

I hand her the prescription and watch as she eyes it with an expression I can only describe as doubtful.

"That's… it?" She purses her lips. "Just giving me a prescription and I'm on my way?"

"The condition is temporary. It will resolve post-delivery," I answer, already mentally moving on to my next patient.

Mrs. Beckham clears her throat behind me. "Dr. Reizenhart, perhaps Becky would feel more at ease if she could try some home remedies as well? Something more holistic?"

“There is no home remedy that will help with the kind of pain she's experiencing.” I exhale, reluctantly shaking my head. “The problems will resolve on their own once the baby is born.”