I hurry down the hall with Jess to find her son standing beside the bed, looking panicked.
“She just collapsed trying to get up for the bathroom.”
Mrs.Wynter is trying to speak, but her speech is slurred and her eyes are unfocused.
I start her on IV antibiotics and fluids immediately, then page Dr.Young.
He arrives ten minutes later, his expression thunderous.“I thought I made myself clear—”
“Mrs.Wynter has a severe UTI with early sepsis,” I interrupt, handing him the lab results.“Her confusion wasn’t age-related.It was infection-induced.”
His jaw working, he scans the numbers.The wait for him to speak is uncomfortably long.
He hands the results back to me.“How long have you been giving her antibiotics?”
“About five minutes.I also started her on IV fluids to address the dehydration.”
“Dr.Pierce, walk with me.”
We step into the hallway, away from the patient’s room.Dr.Young stops near the nurses’ station, running a hand through his dark hair.Is my career over?Am I about to be dismissed again?
“You were right.I should’ve listened to your concerns.Not based assumptions about your assessments on your history.That was wrong of me.What you did could’ve saved her life.”
I nod, surprised by his apology.“Thank you.”
We shake hands, and I watch him disappear around the corner, happy Mrs.Wynter is going to be okay.
Chapter 16
Amelia
“Amelia,canIseeyou in my office for a minute?”
Luna’s voice cuts through the room as she stands by her door, and something about her tone makes my stomach clench.I save the draft of my piece about the school’s new reading program and follow her into her office.
She closes the door behind me, which only adds to my uneasy feeling.
“Please sit,” she says, settling behind her desk with a tight expression.
I take a seat, hands clasped in my lap, back straight.“Is everything okay?”
Luna rests her arms on her desk, leaning forward.“I wanted to give you a heads-up before you hear it through gossip.We’ve had another application for the position.”
The words hit like a smack to my face.My carefully thought-out plan suddenly feels like it’s tipping.
“Another application?”
Luna’s watching my face carefully.“Tannis Wenzel.She’s got ten years of experience with The Boston Times.Her portfolio is impressive.”
The Boston Times.The name replays in my head as I try to process.
“I see.”My voice sounds fragile and hollow even to my own ears.
“Look, you’re still very much in the running,” Luna continues.“Your community connections are valuable, and you know this town better than anyone.Tannis brings a different skill to the table.”
A sense of dread fills me.“When do you expect to make a decision?”
“After my vacation.I’ll be interviewing her next Friday morning.”She leans back slightly.“Amelia, if you have a story that shows your journalism the best, now would be the time.”
