“I’m heading out tonight.We all miss you.You gonna come back and hang out one day?”The thought of going back hasn’t crossed my mind lately.It’d be like visiting a place I used to live but no longer call home.
“Not right now, but I will at some point.”I glance toward the parking lot, thinking ahead.I’ll take Amelia with me.Make it a holiday.
“Good.”
Dr.Wilson’s voice cuts through the hallway behind me.“Hey, I need you in my office.”
“Boss man’s calling,” I tell Isaac.“I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Alright, later.”
I hang up, pocketing my phone as I step into Dr.Wilson’s office.The moment I do, I know something’s wrong.His face is tight as he gestures toward the chair in front of his desk.“Take a seat.”
Lowering myself down, I try to steady the nervous energy filling me.My heart is beating so hard I can hear it in my ears.This doesn’t seem good.
Dr.Wilson folds his hands on the desk.“So, you and Amelia raised enough to fix one of the CT scanners,” he says.“Good work on that.But here’s the thing, someone saw the fundraiser, saw what you and Amelia accomplished, and they want to help.”
He pauses, and I can tell there’s more coming.
“They were impressed at the way you rallied the town, got people on board; that got their attention.They reached out wanting to contribute.”He leans back in his chair.“Then the article came out.”
My stomach drops.Of course.Just when I thought I’d finally moved past all that.
“But,” Dr.Wilson continues, “This person… they actually respect that you didn’t let it stop you.Said they admire someone who doesn’t let public opinion derail them from what they care about.”
My mouth parts, and I shuffle forward in my chair.“Honestly?That’s a relief to hear.So what happens next?”
“The donor wants to stay anonymous,” Dr.Wilson says.“So I’ll handle ordering it and working with them.But I wanted you to know.What you did mattered.It’s making a real difference here.You’ve been a nice addition to this hospital.”
I rise from my chair, shoving my hands into my pockets to keep from gripping the edge of his desk.“Thanks.”
Leaving his office on a high, I walk out, shutting the door behind me.Back at my desk, I focus on finishing up paperwork, forcing myself to push the conversation aside.By the time I’m done, the hospital picks up with early morning activity; the day shift slipping in as I gather my things and head for the exit.
At the front desk, Nina looks up from her crossword puzzle, flashing me a warm, familiar smile.“Heading home?”
“Yeah,” I say, adjusting my grip on my briefcase.“Might make a quick stop first, though.”
“Get some rest, Dr.Pierce.You look like you’ve been put through the wringer.”
“That obvious, huh?”I chuckle.
She tuts, shaking her head.“Only because I’ve been there.Go on, get out of here.”
I thank her and step outside, the early morning air hitting my face.Instead of heading straight home, I drive to the barbershop needing a freshen up.
The familiar scent of shaving cream and aftershave greets me as I walk in.
Derek looks up and grins.“Hey.How’s it going?Come sit, I’m just finishing up.”
Nodding, I take a seat as he dusts loose hairs from the back of a customer’s neck.The man pays, exchanging a few words before heading out, leaving just me and Derek.
“How’s work?”He drapes the cape over me.
“Well, people around here love a good story.”
He laughs, running a comb through my hair.“Town life.Everyone’s got an opinion.”
“Yeah,” I mutter.“Sometimes feels like I’m under a microscope.”I catch myself before saying more.Derek’s a good guy, but news spreads fast in this place.
