I snap my gaze back to the road.Not my problem.
The town is quiet at this time of day, the roads mostly empty except for the occasional car pulling into a driveway.I take the familiar route to Keith’s; the tires rolling over the asphalt, my mind already drifting to the article I read earlier.Another piece from Dr.Whisperer.
A missing jewelry scandal.
Ridiculous.
But then there was another one about me.
It was my first damn day back, and the fact that I’m under a microscope pisses me off more than it should.I don’t need anyone waiting for me to screw up.I already have enough pressure on me not to mess up and get dismissed from this hospital.If I don’t succeed in Pulse Point, my career as a doctor is over.
By the time I pull into the driveway, my shoulders are tight, my head pounding.
Keith’s car is here.And he’s not alone.
Through the back window, I catch a glimpse of him on the porch, talking to an older guy, both dressed in polos and caps.Golf, I’m guessing.Keith had an early shift, so he must’ve wrapped up before me and gone straight to the course.
I’m not in the mood to face anyone else right now.I was hoping to shower, eat, and relax.
I turn off the engine and step out, stretching my stiff muscles before heading inside.As I walk up the steps, I hear their low laughter, the clinking of beer bottles.I could join them, but honestly, I don’t have it in me.
I drop my briefcase inside the door and go straight to my room, peeling off my shirt as I go.A quick shower, dinner, then sleep.I need to be up early for another run before my seven a.m.shift.Maybe I’ll find the gym this weekend so I can hit the weights again.It’s been too long.
By the time I emerge from the shower, dressed in sweats and feeling somewhat human again, I head toward the kitchen, hoping Keith’s friend is gone.But as soon as I round the corner, I spot him standing next to Keith, nursing a drink.
Keith looks up from his beer, grinning.“Didn’t even hear you come in.”
He gestures toward the guy beside him, an older man with short graying hair and deep lines around his eyes that speak of years of laughter and hard work.“This is my buddy, Adam.We squeezed in a round of golf; first time catching up in months.”
Adam tips his beer toward me.“Man, I don’t know how you do it.The hospital’s got to be brutal.At least on the course, we only suffer from Keith’s bad swings.”
“Harsh.”Keith grins.“But fair.”
I shake my head, beginning to fill up a pot with water to put on the stove.I need something quick, something easy.“You guys eaten yet?”
Keith stretches.“Nah, we got carried away.I can help if you want.”
“You don’t have to,” I say, already opening the pasta.
Adam laughs.“Listen to you two.You sound like an old married couple.”
Keith shoots him a playful look.“Don’t be jealous just because you have no one keeping you company.”
Adam raises his hands in surrender.“Fine, fine.Speaking of company, what’s the plan for Thanksgiving?”
Thanksgiving.
The reminder tightens my chest.
I haven’t given it much thought after my encounter with Russell.Sure, I’ve seen the ridiculous turkey decorations around the hospital, but I haven’t really felt the holiday coming.Thanksgiving’s on Thursday, and I’m off that day.And honestly?I don’t have a plan.
I glance at Keith.“What are your plans?”
He shrugs, sipping his beer.“Haven’t decided yet.Could be fun to do something, though.”
I nod absentmindedly, stirring the pasta, but my thoughts drift elsewhere.
To the hospital.
