it has a solid reputation, it’s reliable and it’s good on gas,” explained Ben.
“Do you maintain it regularly?” asked Daniel.
“Religiously,” answered Ben proudly. “That’s why I’m here today—I’m due for an oil change.”
“Approximately how much money do you spend in a year on maintenance?” Daniel asked.
“Including tires, tune-ups, oil changes, belts, and all the usual stuff, I would guess about twelve hundred dollars. That doesn’t include gas, insurance and registration.”
“Approximately how much money do you spend in a year on personal maintenance?” Daniel asked.
“I’m sorry—what do you mean by ‘personal maintenance’?”
“You spend about twelve hundred dollars a year on preventive maintenance to keep your car running efficiently and to ensure that it has a long life. It must be important to you, since you do it ‘religiously’, as you put it. I just wondered how much money and effort you spend on yourself to ensure that your body works efficiently and that you have a long life. For example, how much do you spend on exercise equipment, or perhaps fitness club memberships or even your own fitness coach. Maybe a water filter for your home, good nutritious foods, books on wellness, those types of things.”
Ben looked at Max, who stared back blankly. He looked at Parsons, who seemed to enjoy this moment, waiting eagerly for Ben’s answer. “I’m not sure. I mean, I’d have to look through my records. I know I spent quite a bit on prescription medications last year, and I have records of that.”
“Mostly symptom relief and damage control,” stated Daniel.
“Pardon me?” asked Ben.
“Prescription drugs are used mostly for relieving symptoms and controlling damage that’s already been done, but they do very little for health enhancement. I was inquiring about preventive maintenance to enhance how your body functions and reduce the chances of developing health problems. Let’s have a look at your car.”
He turned and began to walk briskly toward the house, his three guests trailing behind.
Chapter 4: The secrets
Daniel flicked a switch as he entered the garage. The double doors slid open horizontally. That’s odd, thought Ben. Garage doors usually open vertically.
“Drive your vehicle in on the right hand side, Ben,” said Daniel.
The first thing that caught Ben’s eye as the doors slid open was a poster on the east wall of the garage, next to the window. At first glance it appeared to be one of those inspirational, self-help message posters encouraging people to be positive, have goals, never give up, or dig deep into their inner selves for inspiration. Such a message would have seemed appropriate, given what he knew about the Websters so far. He drove into the garage and parked next to the window. Before getting out he looked through the passenger window and read the quote on the poster:
“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest her or his patients in the care of the human frame, in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.”
Interesting, he thought. What was surprising was the author, whose name appeared just below the quote: Thomas A. Edison. Surprising because Ben thought that Edison was a scientist and inventor, but hadn’t heard about anything about his medical knowledge or interests. Well, here he was at the home of a mechanic who was going to give him health tips, so anything was possible.
As he got out of the car, his gaze fixed on the large aquarium built into the back wall of the shop. About three feet in depth, it extended the entire width of the building. Dozens of species of tropical fish maneuvered through the rocks and coral. The effect was hypnotic.
You don’t drive this car in the winter,” said Daniel as he attached the exhaust vent hose to the tailpipe.
“No, I don’t,” replied Ben. “How did you notice that?”
“The rust-proofing looks like new. You can tell when the coating has been exposed to salt. Yours still looks fresh, but it’s probably been on for almost a year,” observed Daniel.
“That’s right. I get it done every second year. I don’t really need it, since I don’t drive it in winter, but better safe than sorry,” explained Ben.
“Well, that’s a switch from your high school days,” said Vic. “You were always more sorry than safe.”
Max laughed, then noticed Vic staring at him.
“You shouldn’t laugh too hard, Farley. You looked pretty sorry that day you were almost crushed between the rolling stacks in the library.”
“You knew about that?” asked Max, caught off-guard.
“You’d be surprised what I knew—and still know,” said Vic.
“I am surprised,” replied Max.
“Enough reminiscing about high school, boys,” said Vic, turning to Ben. “You brought your car here for an oil change.”
“And for some other help, too,” added Ben.
Daniel looked up from under the raised hood of the Toyota.
“I’m not sure exactly what Vic told you boys, but I have to make sure you understand that I don’t have any special powers to heal you,” said Daniel as he removed the oil filter.
“It’s OK, Daniel. We know you’re not a doctor. We’re just here to listen to what you have to say. Vic speaks highly of you,” explained Ben.
“Help yourselves,” said Daniel, gesturing to a large bowl of fresh, ripe fruit on a table in the corner of the room.
“Don’t mind if I do,” said Max, reaching for a Bartlett pear. “The last repair shop I was in had a box of donuts out for the customers. This is different.”
“To get back to your last remark, Ben. You implied that since I’m not a doctor, you don’t expect me to be able to heal you. I just want you to be clear on one point: doctors don’t heal sick bodies. Despite everything you have been taught throughout your life about medicine, it is your own body that heals itself,” he explained, scanning the shelf for a new oil filter.
Max looked skeptical.
“Then why do we spend so much money on our health care system? I thought we had the best system in the world,” he said, wiping pear juice from his chin with the back of his hand.
“Damage control is always more expensive than preventive maintenance, Max,” explained Daniel as he adjusted the oil filter wrench. “Take this car, for example. How much does it cost for a regular oil change?”
“You can get
