Island sketches: Tom

Tom bikes to the Minute Clinic pulling an empty toddler trailer behind his faithful old Townie. His teal scrubs show no signs of exertion, even though the morning is hot and tropic. After his shift, he will pick the typhoon twins up from the day camp being held at the old school.

It is the last day of  junior surf camp. All week, the added steps of putting surf gear away and removing as much sand as it takes to comfortably ride home has added an extra half hour to the boys' pick-up routine. 

Just time enough to pull the clinic shades for a power nap and wake in time to stop by Julie's for his usual. 

Julie closes at four, but she doesn't leave until Tom stops by, even if he's running late. She always has a smoothie on standby for him and a little something to eat. Tom is always appreciative, even when the smoothie has spinach.  

Islanders know all about Tom's naps and we take special care not to disturb him when he's fortunate enough to grab one. 

Between endless clinic shifts and caring for Dax and Dylan, his plate is full-to-overflowing. And that's before you factor in the heartbreak.

It's no small wonder he hasn't taken to drinking. 

Again.

 Pretending not to notice naps is easier than pretending not to notice the island's only licensed nurse practitioner hungover the clinic reception desk or slung over Bennie's bar on a Tuesday at 10 in the morning. 

We've left those days behind us, and that's where we'd like them to stay, especially during jellyfish season. Tom is especially good at treating those stings; some homemade remedy Pow-wow Pete taught him long ago. 

When Tom is off duty, the shifts are filled with interns whose only real helpful knowledge is how to get in contact with Tom and where to find a magazine while you wait for him. 

"Real" doctors never come out to the clinic and the hospital is thirty miles down the single lane umbilical cord connecting the island to civilization .

This week's worth of naps have Tom looking almost rested. If one didn't know better, they might even think Tom was happy behind those sparkling eyes. But, if you know about Tom's naps and you know about Tom's smoothies, then you also know enough to realize that Tom will probably never be happy again.

Not the way he used to be, anyway.