I was lonelyandhomesick. It had been so long since I’d had that feeling. But how did you explain to your emotions that you had no home to return to? Ellynn had been my home growing up, but now she had her own family, and I was all alone.
You’ve been alone for decades. Now’s not the time to cry.
But seeing how Chris interacted with those around him, knowing how he had close friends, it seemed to breaksomething in me. Chris’s presence showed me what I’d been missing, a home, a community. Apparently, my body wanted to commiserate the sad state of my relationships, or rather lack thereof.
Chalk it up to perimenopause. All women in their forties cry excessively.
That would be my story, and I’d stick to it.
I slid my phone into my lab coat and finished my lunch. All too soon I’d be back in the fray of surgery consults and post-op follow-ups.
After packing my food containers back into my lunchbox, I grabbed a mint and the hospital iPad. There were more patients to see before I could pick up Charlie and resume my solitary life.You have Charlie now, so not completely solitary.
My heart warmed. I’d be able to go home to a dog tonight and talk to Ellynn and the girls through video chat. I wasn’t completely alone, no matter how my thoughts wanted me to believe otherwise. Just because I didn’t do a Soul Train line with colleagues didn’t make Chris’s world better than mine. I’d done my job by my sister, and now I was living how I wanted, sort of.
A home was what I made of it, and adding a pet would surely chase some of the blues away. I just had to remind myself of that until I could see my pup once more. Until then, it was time to be the doctor the hospital staff expected and the patients needed.
Eight
“This little guy is known as the greenback cutthroat trout.” Chris held up the fish for the cameraman. “He’s the Colorado state fish and currently classified asthreatenedfor the state and federal listings.”
Chris let the fish go, then stood to his full height, the camera blinking red as it recorded.
“The greenback territory historically ranged all the way from southern Wyoming and down the Front Range Mountains into Colorado. Now their territory is mostly restricted to the Colorado Springs area, which is our current source of conservation efforts. Follow me as we discuss ways to help our animals thrive in the wild and coexist with humanity.This ...is Colorado.”
“Cut.”
Chris blew out a sigh as David called for an end of the taping. They’d been filming since sunup. That had been two coffees and a full stainless-steel bottle ago, so Chris headed for the portable toilet near the trailers.
“Chris, a moment.” David tapped his clipboard.
When filming for the series finally completed, Chris would hunt that clipboard down and break it in two right in front of David’s face. The immense satisfaction would overcome anyguilt that might come from the action. The director tapped the clipboard to insinuate he was in control of the project instead of Chris, despite the fact the production company would be capitalizing on Chris’s brand for the docuseries.Is this how famous actors develop egos?
He cleared his throat. “Can it wait? I need to use the restroom.”
“It’ll only be a sec.”
Chris arched a brow.
“Any updates on the additional sites you’ve been working on getting us access to?”
Chris bit back a sigh. “Yes, but sharing that info will take longer than a second, and Ireallyneed to use the restroom.” He pointed behind him. “Give me a moment.”
“Fine.”
He wanted to roll his eyes at the younger man, but that would make Chris just as petulant as PathLight’s director. David was in his late twenties but sometimes acted much younger. Besides, what he truly wanted to know was if they’d be allowed to film the gray wolf reintroduction. That would be a boon to the director, but the last thing Chris wanted was to ruin the reintroduction.
Could he actually trust the PathLight team to keep a respectful distance when needed? They probably had cameras that would allow them to zoom in and still capture the majesty of the wolves, but they also had a lot of outlying staff members who were always in the way. Or at least being crowded was a feeling Chris dealt with each time they were on set. If you could call the great outdoors a set.
After cleaning his hands, Chris pulled out his phone to check his notifications. He made a couple of comments on social media, saw one of his YouTube shorts had gone viral, then opened his text messages.
Erykah
How’s Charlie?
Chris
The gang is watching him today while I’m out filming. Want me to check in with them?
