“If she is, I just don’t get why Cassie would keep that from me.”
He shrugs. “When the time comes, hear her out. If that’s what she did, she must have had her reasons.”
I run my fingers through my hair. “I never got answers about why she dumped me in the first place. Something happened at that party, but I don’t know what.”
He gets up from his desk and walks around it before joining me on the couches. “You’ve waited this long, what’s a bit longer?”
“I guess.”
“Look.” He knits his fingers as if he’s about to impart the pearls of wisdom I’m used to from this man. He’s been my mentor for eight years now, and I’m so grateful for the man who not only recognised my talent but nurtured it and now treats me as his equal. “You know where she is now. And yousaid that she’s open to you being around. I think you should stick with it and see where it goes. You’ll get your answers.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For saying what I needed to hear.”
He smiles. “That’s what I’m here for. Now, we really need to talk about today.”
There is a patient who’s been seeing me for a while and Ethan is taking over her care today. She’s young—still a teenager—but a couple of years ago, the apartment she was in caught fire and the alarms had been deactivated by one of her flatmates who were sick of the sound of a flat battery beeping.
Emily was lucky to escape with her life, but not before she sustained significant burn injuries. I’ve performed several skin grafts, but there’s been a gap in between surgeries to allow healing. So, her treatment has dragged on.
But along the way, she developed an unhealthy interest in me. Despite there only being one surgery left, Ethan and I decided that he would take over her care. Her parents have been with her the whole way, so we’ve discussed it with them first and they’ve agreed to support the change. They’d also noticed changes in her behaviour when it came to me.
She’s been talking about work she doesn’t need to extend our time together, and I’m not the type to take advantage like someone else might.
“I’ll introduce myself and you take a back seat. If she wants an explanation then you can give her one, but I think her exposure to you should be limited to that and then you leave and I’ll take the consult,” he says.
I nod.
“I’d suggest you staying out of it altogether, but I think you being present at first might ease any tension. And you can graciously dip out when I explain that she has no other option.”
I swallow hard. I’m glad for Ethan’s guidance when it comes to these things. While I’ve been a doctor for several years now and I’m confident in my abilities including dealing with people, it’s good to know he has my back.
He gives me a reassuring smile. “We’ve got this, Patrick. It happens. You know she’ll be safe with me.”
“I know. I just hate this whole situation.”
Ethan grips my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. “We’ll also look at your schedule and see what else I can take on while you’re dealing with this whole Mark situation.”
“Thanks, Ethan.”
“You’re a good man, Patrick. Don’t forget that.”
When I’m back in my office with the door closed, I take a deep breath and shut my eyes. I’ve heard stories about patient attachment but never had to deal with something like this before. But then again, most surgeries are a one off and after they’re complete and the final check-up is done, I never see the patient again.
I trust Ethan, and in all honesty, I have far bigger things on my mind right now.
When Emily and her parents arrive, we usher them into Ethan’s far bigger office. They sit on his couch, and he sits opposite. I position myself, as planned, by his desk farther back. It’s important for him to take the lead on this from here on in.
Emily glances between me and Ethan. It’s clear she doesn’t trust what’s going on.
“I’m glad you’re all here today. I’d like to talk about Emily’s surgery,” Ethan starts.
“Why?” Emily asks.
Ethan glances at me.
