“Oh, Lils, I don’t think your bed can handle both of us, love,” Mia says, reluctant but smiling, as she steps onto the air mattress to grab Lily’s hand and boost her higher.
God knows what’s gotten into me this morning, but I add, just before throwing myself onto the other end, “I wouldn’t trust that laminated frame either, but this one’s safe enough. Jump, Lily!”
I land on it with all my weight, and Mia’s feet fly skyward. She crashes onto the double airbed—thankfully ass first—with Lily toppling over her. The mattress blows with a sharp pop, and the three of us go down in a heap of laughter and squeals and laughter until we’re sprawled flat on the floor.
“Dad, where are you going to sleep tonight?” my sensible daughter asks, a worry I do not share.
Mia eases her concern. “I’ll get him a new mattress today, Lils. A sturdier one.”
I get up first and help the girls to their feet. “Do you mind getting Lily ready while I make us breakfast?”
“Thatismy job, Doctor,” she whispers for my ears only.
“Right.” I laugh it off.
Downstairs, I line up protein smoothies for Mia and me and move on to the healthy weekday pancakes. I’m feeling blueberries today.
My phone vibrates on the kitchen island, and I instinctively ignore it. No phones during mealtime. House rules. But it keeps at it. After the third time, I check who’s calling and pick it up when I see it’s April.
“What’s wrong?” No hello. Just concern weighing heavy on my shoulders.
“Pres, Dr. Katherine Holloway’s been in a car accident. She asked to be taken here instead of St. Matthews and won’t let anyone touch her but you.”
“Wait. Kate? Head of Ortho at St. Matthews? My old boss?”
“The one and only. Listen—it’s bad. She’s got a burst fracture at L1, fragments pushing into the spinal canal. No motor function below the waist. If we don’t decompress and stabilize soon, the paralysis could be permanent. She knows it—she’s seen the scans herself, and still, she signed off on the risks and is asking for you.”
“This makes no sense. Why didn’t she go to her hospital, call someone fromherteam?”
“Don’t play deaf. We don’t have time for it. She wantsyou. I’ve cleared it with the board. If you’re up for it, come. Now.”
“Of course I’m coming. It’s Kate. I’ll be right there. Let me talk to Lily and Mia first.”
“Yeah, yeah. But hurry. She can’t afford to wait.”
“Damn it. Get the A-team ready. You know who. Schedule the OR. Page the head of neuro, I want him there too. I’ll be there in twenty or less. Email me what I need to know.”
I race up the stairs, forcing deep breaths to school my face so I don’t scare Lily.
“Listen, girls. Something happened at the hospital, and I’m needed there.” Tossing Mia the car keys I grabbed on my way up, I warn her this might keep me there all day. “Take Lily to school and pick her up. Please sort dinner. Someone from my team will keep you posted, and I’ll call when I can.”
She throws the keys right back. “Are you crazy? I can’t drive on the wrong side of the road. You take the car. We’ll get a taxi, right, Lils?”
My Sunshine’s stare clouds over. “Something bad happened, Dad?”
“It did. To a friend of mine. I’m going to go and help the best way I can. Because that’s what we do in this family—we help others.”
Lily nods, eyes clearing.
“We’ll be fine,” Mia cuts in. “I’ll keep you posted too. Don’t worry about us. You’ll be working, and we’ll be having fun. As it’s supposed to be. Hope your friend gets better. Now go.”
I sprint back down, leave the kitchen as it is, and head out—keys and phone in hand, nothing else. I just need to get there.
* * *
The hospital doors swallow me whole, and the noise inside is nothing like home. No laughter, no squeals. Just the low thrum of urgency.
By the time I push through to the scrub room, the team’s already there. I watch them through the glass, feet getting steadier beneath me. My team. My people. Theydon’t ask why I came back early—they just nod, ready, never missing a beat.
