*May 7, 1998*
The Backstreet Boys had reached a new peak in their career. The US was finally catching onto their music. And one of their members needed surgery.
Brian Littrell checked into St. Joseph's Hospital in Kentucky, only to be taken to a secluded room in the ICU. The nurse, Heidi, told him that the nurse would be with him in just a moment. Brian was expecting an older, gray-haired man with glasses. Instead, a girl with fiery red hair walked in with a clipboard. She looked straight into his eyes and smiled.
"Hi, Brian, I presume?" she grinned.
"Yeah," Brian replied nervously, "Are you my doctor?"
She laughed. "Were you expecting an older gray-haired man with glasses?"
"Well, yeah." Brian answered, loosening up a bit.
She smiled again. "I can assure you, Mr. Littrell, I'm quite qualified for the job. You must be wondering why you're in the ICU when this is such a small operation. Am I right?"
Brian nodded.
"The ICU is a private ward for family only so no fans will get to you. That's what your cousin, Kevin, I believe, requested. Do you want me to explain the operation?" she asked.
Brian nodded yet again.
"Well, we're going to make a small incision right here," she touched Brian's side, right where his left arm would lie. "And stitch up the hole." Brian gulped nervously. "It's very simple. And if it makes you feel any better, I'm going under the knife myself the day after. The doctors here are really well trained and I assure you, nothing will go wrong."
Brian exhaled loudly and laughed.
Brian woke up from the surgery to find the doctor right next to him.
"Hello sleepyhead." she greeted him. She changed the IV bag and brought in some pills and a glass of water. Brian looked at them cautiously. Then he picked them up and swallowed painfully. "It's easier with the water ya know..." the doctor played.
Brian smiled. "I know." She laughed.
"OK. Doc, you know my med record, you've even seen my heart, and I don't even know your name."
She smiled. "It's Dr. Raymond. You can call me Lysha."