So yeah.I don’t dance.
This would be a good time to leave.
But Diane leans in like she’s about to share a secret.“Sorry to tell you, but that won’t fly here.Good or bad, you get up there and try.You’ll be dragged up if you don’t.”
I huff a quiet laugh.“Thanks for the warning.I’ll be sure to leave before that happens.”
“Not happening,” she says, amused.“They won’t allow it.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see movement.Amelia’s gathering the kids, and the two older women join her.It looks like they’re leaving, all of them, moving together like a well-practiced unit.I’m relieved because she won’t be able to write a story about my bad dancing.
“What’s her story?”I ask Diane before I can stop myself.
Keith interjects, finishing talking with the person beside him.“Their dad left before Felix was born.And recently, their mom’s atrial fibrillation has been unstable.”
Atrial fibrillation.It’s when the heart beats out of rhythm… fast, chaotic, like it’s panicking.Blood doesn’t flow the way it should, which means clots can form, strokes can happen.Sometimes medication helps.Sometimes people need surgery.Sometimes...it gets worse.
I glance over at the kids.My stomach knots.“And those kids—”
“Her siblings.”
They’re loud, messy, and bickering over dinner.And all of them live with a mom whose heart might give out without warning.Whose next dizzy spell could land her in the hospital, or worse…
“How many?”I whisper.
“Seven kids in total.”
A breath escapes me.Seven.
The sight of them disappearing down the street makes me think of the Brady Bunch.There are so many of them.Did they come here on a bus?A truck?A car?What kind of car even fits that many?
Once they leave, the night carries on.The plates are cleared.Dessert is served.
And Amelia is gone.
I can finally relax.
A chair scrapes back somewhere near the end of the table, and someone stands.I don’t recognize him.He’s tall, well-dressed, a little too polished for this.He clears his throat, not loudly, but somehow, it cuts through the noise, making conversations stop.Even the kids go still, like they can sense the change in the air.
“Good evening, everyone.Thank you all for being here.It’s always a pleasure to bring the community together, and tonight, we have a special reason to celebrate.As many of you know, we take great pride in our town, its history, its people, and the way we look out for one another.And part of that means making sure we have the best medical care possible.That’s why we’re grateful to welcome Dr.Adrian Pierce to Pulse Point.
“Adrian comes to us with years of experience and a dedication to medicine that will serve this town well.I know some of you may have already met him, and I hope the rest of you will take the time to do so.Now, I won’t stand here and pretend that change is always easy.But I will say this… Every new beginning is an opportunity.And having another skilled doctor in our community is something we should all appreciate.So, let’s show Dr.Pierce the kindness and hospitality this town is known for.Welcome to Pulse Point, Adrian.We’re glad to have you.”
It hits me… This must be the mayor.
I nod, then keep my head down so I don’t have to see their reactions.Not everyone agrees or wants me here.The tension coils in my stomach, twisting tighter with every polite word masking unspoken judgment.
At least he doesn’t mention the article, doesn’t touch on the controversy swirling around me.At least he has the sense to avoid that.Then the mayor turns, smiling.“All right, if Adrian could come up and say a few words.”
Fucking hell.
Keith’s hand clamps onto my shoulder.“You got this.”
I don’t.
Everything in me screams to stay seated, but I won’t let them win.Not tonight.I rise, walk toward the front, feeling every stare prickling against my skin.I shake the mayor’s hand, grip the microphone, and focus on Keith.
“Thank you.”I smile, ignoring the way my pulse is rapidly beating hard against my ribs.“I appreciate the warm welcome.I’m grateful to be here, and I hope you’re all having a great night.”I pause to take a breath.“This is more than I expected, more than I’ve ever had, actually.I appreciate you opening your doors to me.And hopefully, I’ll see you all around.Just… not in the hospital.”
