Subject: Schedule and Assignment Update
Dear Mr. Miles Breckton,
This letter serves to confirm the approval of your request for a partial contract, effective immediately following the conclusion of your current term. Please note that, due to department availability, your assignment will transition to the Surgical Floor for the duration of the 90-day period, beginning September 3rd. Your new schedule will be 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday-Thursday.
If you have any questions or require additional clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
We are grateful for your flexibility and heart to serve our patients.
Sincerely,
Kathy Waivers
Administrative Coordinator
The email hits like a punch to the gut.
I read it twice, hoping I’ve misread the time, the floor, something—but no. It’s all there, clear and clinical. Surgical floor. Ninety agonizing, 12-hour days. Mondays through Thursdays.
Mondays.Jordan’s one guaranteed day off. Not only that, but I’m gettingoffwhen Jordan is barely starting his shift on the other days. The hours couldn’t be any worse. We won’t have any time together!
I stare at the screen, and the letters stare back. Mocking me.You asked for this!
The ground beneath me seems to shift, like the last support beam just gave out and I’m about to collapse. How is this going to work? How am I supposed to go without talking to Jordan? I mean, weliterallywon’t have time!
I reach for my phone to call Jordan, needing to hear his voice. I need him to tell me it’ll be okay, thatwe’llbe okay. We’ll figure it out.
But I stop, my hand freezing just millimeters from the screen.
I can’t tell him this.
I can’t!
He’s in the worst part of his transition period. Some days, it takes everything just to get out of bed or answer a message, but he still tries. He’s even forcing smiles for me—forme! The medicine is working, but slowly. And hearing this could make him feel even more adrift than I do. It could—would—set him back.
This couldsendhim back. To the dark place.
No. I can’t. I won’t.
I’m supposed to be his anchor.
I’ll tell him eventually, and it’ll have to be soon, since the new shift starts in three weeks. But he’ll need to be prepared. We both will. He can’t know how upset I am.
I lower my hand and take a deep breath.
“Be strong, Miles,” I whisper. “All of this is temporary.”
Besides, it’s only three months. I can do three months. I’ve done longer positions without Sophie.
But the thing is, I’m starting to accept that I don’twantto anymore.
I’ve learned I’m not the kind of person who likes being alone. Coming here without Sophie has made that abundantly clear. I would’ve gone crazy had I not met Jordan online. Ineedpeople. I need friends. I always have. Even after accepting this job, I clung to Sophie, going where she goes and pretending it was my preferred city too. But really, my preference was being nearher.I wanted to travel, but I wanted to do it with her. She was my person. She made life fun and interesting. Gave me confidence. Without her, it’s just not the same.
I lean forward and bury my face in my hands. This isn’t sustainable. I don’t know how I’ll handle being alone for three more months.
When I see Dr. Mullins approaching, I force myself up. Time to box my emotions up for now.
I go through the motions, passing off the important cases to David because I know I can’t handle them tonight. He’s clearly worried, but he doesn’t ask questions. He’s not that kind of guy.
