Dr. Quiver

“Date of birth?” I asked Wyatt.

“March 19, 1848,” he said.

“Sixteen years of age,” I wrote on my notepad.

“Yup. Same as I was last time I was here,” Wyatt said and spat a thick wad of chewing tobacco on the floor.

I’d have to get a spittoon for Wyatt eventually.

“Nurse,” I called. It was her turn to clean up the mess.

“Time for your exam. You know what to do,” I said and put my gloves on.

Wyatt dropped his drawers and bent over.

I started the exam. He screamed so loud that you’d think I was murdering him.

“Your finger is cold, doctor,” Wyatt said.

“Sorry. Next time I’ll rub my hands together first,” I said.

I removed my finger.

The examination ended underwhelmingly.

Wyatt sighed.

“Everything feels fine. You’re good to go,” I said.

Wyatt picked up his pants, limped off and slammed the door behind him.

“What, no goodbye?” I shouted.

*****

I liked this town. I was the only doctor here. The people seemed to love me back.

My next patient was Nancy McAllister. She was the wealthiest woman in town.

She was also the oldest.

“How can I help you today, Ms. McAllister?” I asked.

“Please, call me Nancy,” Nancy said and smiled.

“Ok, how can I help you today, Nancy?”

“I don’t feel good. I feel like I’ve aged one hundred years overnight,” Nancy said.

“Have you been doing everything I told you to do for youth rejuvenation?” I asked.

“No, I suppose I haven’t, Dr. Quiver. But it’s a small town, and I'm afraid our resources are growing scarce. There's no one left to provide me with what I need,” Nancy said.

“Well, The Rusty Spur Saloon & Hotel has a fresh batch of tourists. Maybe one of them has some extra supplies. If not, you can try the The Saddleback Saloon one town over. Somebody will have what you’re looking for,” I said.

“Thank you for always giving such good advice on these matters, Dr. Quiver,” Nancy said.

She stood up, lifted up the sides of her oversized dress so they wouldn’t drag on the ground, and walked out.

I had one more client and I was done for the night.

“Mr. Stilwell, always good to see you,” I said.

“Good to see you to, Doc. And you can call me Frank,” Frank said.

“What can I do for you today, Frank?” I asked.

“Well, I got a job to do at the bank. I was planning on starting tomorrow. Let’s just say it involves some heavy lifting. I just want to make sure I’m healthy enough for the heavy lifting,” Frank said and winked at me.

“Well, let’s have a look, shall we. Take off your shirt,” I said.

“Moving kind of fast, aren’t we, doctor?” Frank asked with a grimace on his face. I chuckled and he removed his shirt.

I listened to his heart.

“Your heart seems healthy. How do you feel, otherwise? Any pain?” I asked.

“Not at the moment,” Frank said

“That’s ashame. I was going to prescribe you some stomach bitters,” I said.

“Ain’t that the stuff with the heroine inside?” Frank asked.

“Sure is,” I said dandily.

“Actually, I did sprain my back just the other day. And my ankle hurts like hell, I probably sprained that, too! I could use something for the pain,” Frank said.

I wrote down aspirin on my prescription pad and handed it to him. Frank was mostly illiterate and would never notice.

“Take this to the pharmacist. He’ll take care of you,” I said.

“Thank you, Doc. Thank you so much,” Frank said.

Frank gleefully ran out the door.

I couldn’t believe it was almost sunrise. I’d been working late into the night again. Time to get back home.

*****

I opened my office late the next night. The sun was already going down. I needed the rest, working as late as I did the night before.

I had a few patients come in that day, including Nancy McAllister.

“You’re looking better, Nancy,” I said.

“Do you really think so?” Nancy asked and smiled.

“Yes. You look at least a hundred years younger. Did you find someone at the hotel that was able to help you?” I asked.

“I certainly did,” she said and smiled.

Despite her physical appearance, I examined her just to be safe.

“You’re as healthy as an ox, Nancy,” I said.

“That’s because I have a great doctor,” she replied and smiled.

I smiled back.

“I really must be going now. I have some important business to attend too,” Nancy said.

“Seeing as how you’re my last appointment for the day, I’ll head out with you,” I said.

Just before we got to the door, Wyatt Earp was carried in by two of his friends. He was bleeding profusely.

“You got to help him, Doc,” one of his friends said.

“What happened?” I asked.

“Wyatt saw Frank Stilwell leaving the bank with bags full of money. Before he got on his horse, Wyatt tried to stop him. He shot Wyatt in the stomach,” his friend said.

“I’ll fix this, but I need you two to leave. Thank you for bringing him in,” I said.

I lifted him up and placed him on my operating table.

I grabbed my surgical tools and used my scalpel to remove the bullet and the remnant of clothing the bullet pushed in.

I stitched Wyatt up, but Wyatt was still pale.

I wasn’t sure if Wyatt was going to make it. I cared about him very much, as I did all my clients.

As one of the last remaining locals who was still human, he was still mortal and could still die.

“Doctor, maybe you should turn him, as you did me all those centuries ago,” Nancy said.

“That was different. You asked me too. Wyatt can’t ask, he’s passed out,” I said.

“Well he can’t ask if he’s dead, either. If you really care about this boy, as it seems you do, turn him. And quick. If you don’t turn him before he dies, he’s dead for good,” Nancy said.

Nancy had a point.

I extended my fangs and bit into Wyatt’s neck.

In addition to saving Wyatt’s life, the fresh blood was ever so satisfying. It cooled my throat as it went down, and I felt reinvigorated.

Wyatt slowly woke up.

“What… what happened?” Wyatt asked.

“I just saved your life, is what happened,” I said.

“You did?” Wyatt asked.

“Yes. But there’s a few things you should know. You can’t go out in the sun anymore. And you need to drink blood to live,” I said.

“So, I’m a vampire?” Wyatt asked. I nodded.

“I always knew something was a little off about you, Doc. Thanks for saving my life,” Wyatt said and smiled.

“So, you’re not mad?” I asked.

“Mad at what? That I’ll live forever and can use my new powers to stop bad guys, like Frank. Not at all, Doc,” Wyatt said and smiled.

“I take it you’re going after Frank,” I asked.

“Damn straight. The bastard shot me. I almost died,” Wyatt said.

“Do you know where he’s heading?” I asked.

“I saw him heading west before my friends brought me here,” Wyatt said.

“You’ll need a doctor on your journey,” I said and smiled.

“It’ll be like we’re taking a vacation together. I’ll just have to call you Doc Holliday,” Wyatt said.

That became my new nickname.

Frank would pay for shooting Wyatt.

We packed up our wagons and headed west.