Just competence.
That was all she had left.
The Internal Medicine conference room felt wrong without Maggie at the head of the table.
Doctor Patel stood where Maggie usually stood, tablet in hand, reviewing the overnight admissions with efficiency. She was older than Maggie—mid-fifties, maybe—with silver streaking through her dark hair and reading glasses perched on her nose. Her voice was warm, her demeanor patient.
Nothing like Maggie’s sharp precision.
“Good morning, everyone,” Doctor Patel said as the residents filtered in. “We’ve got a full house today. Six new admits, three step-downs from ICU, and two discharges pending social work clearance.”
Evie slid into a seat near the back, keeping her head down. A few residents glanced her way—curious, assessing—but no one said anything. Yet.
Doctor Patel’s gaze found her. “Doctor Brooks. Welcome to the team.”
Evie straightened. “Thank you, Doctor Patel.”
“I’ve heard excellent things about your clinical skills,” Patel continued, her tone genuine. “I’m looking forward to working with you.”
It was kind. Professional. Appropriate.
And it felt hollow.
Because Maggie would’ve said something sharper. Something that made Evie work harder, think deeper, prove herself all over again. Patel’s kindness didn’t challenge her—it just made her feel like she’d been demoted.
“Thank you,” Evie said again, forcing a smile she didn’t feel.
Patel nodded and moved on, assigning cases with practiced ease. When she reached Evie’s name on the roster, she paused.
“Brooks, you’ll take Mr. Patterson in 614. Seventy-two-year-old with recurrent pneumonia, possible aspiration. Also—” She glanced at her tablet. “I see you were following Daisy Carter. I’d like you to continue her care through the transition.”
Evie’s throat tightened. “Of course.”
“Good. Let’s round.”
The team moved through the floor with a rhythm that was efficient but unfamiliar. Doctor Patel asked questions—good questions, thoughtful questions—but they didn’t cut the same way Maggie’s did. She guided rather than challenged. Taught by encouragement rather than pressure.
Evie presented Mr. Patterson’s case with the same thoroughness she always did, but halfway through her differential, she caught herself pausing—waiting for Maggie to interrupt with a sharper question, a harder angle, something that would force her to think three steps ahead.
It never came.
Doctor Patel just nodded. “Excellent analysis. Let’s add a swallow study to rule out aspiration. Anything else?”
Evie blinked. “No. That’s it.”
“Great. Next patient.”
That was it. No follow-up. No challenge. Nobut what about?—
Evie felt the absence like a physical ache.
After rounds, Doctor Patel pulled her aside in the hallway. Her expression was kind but direct.
“I know the circumstances of your transfer,” Patel said quietly. “I don’t need details. I don’t need explanations. What I need is to know you’re here to work.”
Evie met her gaze. “I am.”
“Good.” Patel’s voice softened. “I also want you to know that I don’t judge. Whatever happened between you and Doctor Laurel is between you and Doctor Laurel. You’re on my service now, and I evaluate my residents on their medicine. Nothing else.”
