“I don’t know,” Maggie admitted. “But I’ll figure it out. We will figure it out.”
“Will we?” Evie’s voice was small, uncertain in a way that made Maggie’s heart crack. “Or will we just keep suffering in silence until one of us breaks?”
Maggie pulled her close, wrapping her arms around her. Evie collapsed against her, sobbing into her shoulder, months of strain finally finding release.
“I’m so tired,” Evie whispered. “I love you and I’m so fucking tired.”
“I know,” Maggie said, holding her tighter. “I know, baby. I’m tired too.”
They stayed like that for a long time—Evie crying, Maggie holding her, both of them feeling the weight of a choice they didn’t know how to make.
When Evie finally pulled back, eyes red and face blotchy, she looked exhausted.
“I’m going to bed,” she said quietly.
“Okay,” Maggie said.
“Are you coming?”
“In a bit. I need to... think.”
Evie nodded and left her alone in the kitchen.
Maggie sat there in the silence, staring at their half-eaten dinner, feeling the careful life they’d built teetering on the edge of collapse.
Her phone sat on the counter, dark and accusatory.
She could call Dr. Kim. Ask for an emergency session. Get guidance on how to navigate this crisis.
But deep down, Maggie already knew what Kim would say.
What are you most afraid of losing?
And what are you losing right now by holding on?
Maggie picked up her phone and pulled up her email. Scrolled back six months to a message she’d archived but never deleted.
From: Jennifer Rodriguez, Medical Recruiter, Cedar-Sinai Medical Center Subject: Following Up - Attending Position
Dr. Laurel,
I wanted to reach out one more time regarding the attending physician position we discussed earlier this year. We remain very interested in bringing you back to Cedar-Sinai. Your expertise in internal medicine and your track record speak for themselves.
I understand you had concerns about returning, given past circumstances. I want to assure you that the administration has moved on from that situation entirely. Your previous investigation was closed with full clearance, and we see no reason that should impact a potential return.
If you’re interested, the position remains open. We’d be happy to discuss terms, schedule, and any other considerations that would make this the right fit for you.
Please let me know if you’d like to set up a conversation.
Best regards,Jennifer Rodriguez
Maggie stared at the email for a long time.
Then she hit reply.
Jennifer,
Is the position still available?
