DORIS I called my client early the next morning. Hearing the ecstatic happiness in my client's voice when he heard that I got the Brooklyn land track of his historic family land that he bought returned to him made all the trouble I had to go through with it.  The fact that I got to take away Andrea's plans from one of the first business deals she tried to sabotage against me was a bonus. Arthur took me out to a fancy restaurant uptown to celebrate. "I don't think anyone else would've been able to pull it off," Arthur said. "I admire you." "I guess I deserve a raise," I joked. "I guess you do." "I was only kidding." "A raise in a promotion," Arthur said. "With the kind of determination you showed, I think you should lead a team." For a moment, I was speechless.  Maybe he was right. I had been working in this industry for years. Kate sho

 ARTHUR I looked out the small plane window at the setting sun, the fluffy clouds, and the beautiful city of Paris, getting smaller and smaller. I didn't mind cutting my business trip short. I just hoped Doris was OK. We hit a lot of turbulence on my way back from France. I couldn't believe how sick Doris looked on our video call. I had tried to call her a few times as I was boarding the plane, but she didn't answer, which just made me more worried. I had a lot of work to do, and even though I opened my briefcase and stared at my files. I couldn't concentrate. With the turbulence, the flight took longer than usual. It was over a seven hour flight, but with the time difference, it was only a little after 7 o'clock when we landed.  I was tired from the jetlag and the worry, but I went directly to Doris's apartment. When I knocked on her door, a strange man answered. "W

 DORIS We got to the apartment penthouse. "Mommy, Daddy! You're home early!" "We are, pumpkin. Mommy's sick, and I cut my European trip short so I could take care of her." "Are you sick, Mommy? Do you want me to read to you? Daddy always reads to me when I'm sick, and it makes me feel better." "Yes, sweet girl, that's a great idea." Mia hugged me, and then she looked up at me. “Would you like to read Goodnight Moon? I know that's your favorite, as well as mine."  "Sure,” I said as Mia took my hand and dragged me to her room. "Goodnight, moon. Goodnight, spoon. Goodnight, baboon. Goodnight, cartoon," I said. "Mommy! Come on! You know that's not how it goes." "Isn't it? Goodnight, June. Goodnight, Looney Tunes. Goodnight, Frank Sinatra croons? Goodnight, prunes. Goodnight, macaroons." "You're silly." Arthur laughed. H

 DORIS Even though Joe was very clear, advising me what I should do, I needed another opinion. I asked Nina the same questions that I asked Joe about what I should do about Noah regarding Jeff Wasserman’s new medicine and having Dr. Mingledorff do that new surgery.  Nina said the same thing that Joe did. The probability that Noah would come out of his coma permanently would make it all worth it. When I asked Nina if she thought Arthur would be upset that other men were paying for it, Nina said the same thing Joe did. Yes, Arthur would probably be pissed off if he knew. It would be better not to tell Arthur at this point. I waffled back and forth about what to do. I had to decide by morning. I spent a lot of the afternoon walking up and down Broadway thinking about it.  Finally, I looked up at a billboard for a show, and it was a huge advertisement for a new play called 'Decide Yes.' I co

 DORIS As I was leaving Noah's room, Jeff cornered me in the hospital, pushing me to date him. This reminded me of Dr. John. How do these men become so self-entitled? "Let's have coffee in the cafeteria," Jeff said, putting his hand on my lower back and guiding me toward the elevators. "My treat. I insist." Ugh. Yuck. It was easier to give in than to keep arguing. Once we were seated, I explained very carefully, thoroughly, and slowly that I was in a committed relationship with Arthur, that I lived with him part-time, and that I was not interested. "But you're not married or engaged, so I think you're fair game," Jeff said. "I appreciate everything you've done for Noah and me, but you're wasting your time. And if you continue to call me and send texts, eventually, I'm going to have to get a restraining order. I don't want to do that because I am grateful, so I'm asking you, please, please just sto