The next few days pass without incidence. Melinda spends most of her time in her grandmother's room, watching over her as she sleeps. The only time she takes breaks are to eat, grab a few hours of sleep, take a hot shower, and to have a coffee with Dr. Tithing at night.

     Dr. Tithing arrives each evening to check up on things. Each night after the examination, he looks at Melinda with the same expression--nothing has changed. Melinda always feels a wave of relief... no change means her grandmother isn't getting worse.

     After they put her grandmother back to bed, they head downstairs for a cup of coffee. Melinda makes sure she brews a whole pot; it will keep her going through the night.
     "You need to get some rest, Melinda," he says each time.
     Melinda always nods wearily and continues drinking her coffee.
     One night, the doctor responds to her with a laugh. "Well, I must say… you are dedicated! You'll make a good doctor."
     "Thank you Dr. Tithing," she responds, surprised, yet very pleased by his compliment.
     He smiles back at her, his head cocked to the side, considering her. "Listen, I was thinking," he begins, hesitating a little. "Enough of this formal stuff. Just call me Wayne from now on. We'll be seeing enough of each other, and being called Doctor all the time can get a bit stuffy."
     He laughs uneasily.
     "Well, ok then. Wayne it is," she says smiling.
     "Good," he says. He puts his empty coffee cup down on the counter. "I'll see you tomorrow night."