There’s a lesson here: if you’re struggling with insomnia, the knowledge that Ally Parker is sleeping in the next room,possibly wearing your shirt, is not helpful.
And I definitely shouldn’t have checked her reflexes. There’s no excuse for that, but her statement that she ‘barely has reflexes’ was so ridiculous I couldn’t resist. But that was definitely a mistake, because it led to the tickling incident. I can’t get that memory out of my head either.
So for the past few days I’ve tried an avoidance strategy, leaving for the hospital before she’s awake and not coming home until late. I feel a little guilty that she has to walk to work, since we’re going to the same place, but at least my condo’s close to the hospital.
“Melissa and I are having a barbecue Saturday afternoon,” Luke says. “Are you and Ally around?”
I pull my attention back to him. “Let me ask her, I’ll let you know.”
“Okay. It’d be great if you guys could make it.” Luke pauses. “I’ve invited Ethan, and I think it’ll be easier for him if there are more people there.”
I can see why a barbecue at Luke’s would be difficult for Ethan. The two of them were good friends until last fall, when Ethan tried to operate drunk and Luke had to take over the case. Of course, Luke had to report the incident, and as the chief of surgery, I had to deal with it.
And when Luke reported Ethan, he also admitted he was dating Melissa, the mother of one of his former patients. I didn’t ask, because I didn’t want to know. But I’ve always suspected Ethan threatened to report Luke’s relationship if Luke reported his drinking, and Luke was trying to get ahead of the problem.
Fortunately, I’d already guessed Luke was dating Melissa (I’d seen them together, and I’m not an idiot), and I didn’t have a problem with it. Dating a former patient’s mother is an ethical gray area, but in my opinion, Luke didn’t cross the line.
Regardless, if I were in Luke’s place, I’m not sure I could forgive Ethan. Luke’s evidently a better person than I am.
“So Ally and I would be a good distraction,” I say thoughtfully. “At your barbecue.”
“Well, it won’t just be you two,” Luke replies. “Austin’s coming, and Melissa’s inviting Sophie Kaminsky. But yeah, the fact that you have a new girlfriend . . .”
“Would be a good distraction.”
“Yeah.” Luke nods wryly. “To be honest, I was kind of surprised Ethan agreed to come. I know a couple people have reached out since he came back to town, and he hasn’t wanted to see anyone.”
“He’s only been back two weeks,” I say. Ethan spent his enforced leave of absence far away from Somerset: three monthsat an alcohol rehab center in California and three months surfing in Hawaii.
“You’ve seen him, haven’t you?” Luke asks.
“Yeah.” I met with Ethan last week, to review whether he was fit to return to work.
“You probably can’t answer this, but . . . are you going to let him come back?”
I sigh. “Do you think I should?”
Luke looks surprised that I’ve asked for his opinion. “Shit, Drew, I don’t know. I mean, he’s a great surgeon. But . . .”
That pretty much sums up how I feel. Ethan is a great surgeon, and he swears he’s been sober for over six months. He got a great report from the rehab center, and his psychiatrist has cleared him.
And he’s not coming back because he needs the money. Ethan’s family owns a multimillion dollar construction company, and he has a very healthy trust fund. He told me about it when he was trying to convince me to let him come back, so I’d know he wasn’t motivated by the paycheck.
But the fact that he tried to operate drunk is frankly terrifying. And if I let him come back too soon and something happens, I’ll be partly to blame.
For the millionth time, I curse the fact that I’m the department chief, and wonder why I haven’t managed to resign yet.
“For his sake, I hope you let him come back,” Luke says. “With this on his record, he won’t get a job anywhere else.” He pauses. “I mean, can you imagine if someone told you that you couldn’t operate anymore?”
I have a fucking tremor.
That’s different, though. I’ve never noticed it when I operate.
I run a hand through my hair. “I think Ethan’s chances are good.” In fact, I know they are, because I’ve alreadyrecommended that he be reinstated. His application’s gone to the board, and I expect they’ll rubber-stamp it.
“That’s good to hear.” Luke says, standing up. “Let me know about the barbecue.”
“Yeah. I’ll talk to Ally and let you know.”
