"It's busy." I smile before I realize I'm doing it. "I've got a test tomorrow, and work's been nonstop lately, but I really like it."
"What do you like about it?"
The question surprises me. Nobody asks that very often. "I like helping people," I say. "Most days I'm still at the front desk, but I get to meet everyone who comes in. Sometimes they're scared before they even see the doctor. If I can make somebody's day a little easier while they're waiting, I feel like I've done something worthwhile."
Daniel nods thoughtfully.
"That makes sense."
His smile stays in place.
"You've always seemed like the nurturing type."
The words should sound nice.
Instead, I feel myself hesitate.
"I just like helping people."
"And you'll be good at it."
He pauses.
"Especially when you have kids."
Mrs. Harris smiles.
"Then you'll have plenty of time before children."
Across the table, Dad looks pleased.
I feel my excitement drain away.
Nobody asked me about nursing because they wanted to hear about nursing.
They asked because somehow it circled back to marriage again.
I set my fork down.
"I think working at the clinic matters too."
Dad looks at me. "No one said it doesn't."
"I know." I look back at Daniel. "I just... I don't see it as something I'm doing until I get married."
Daniel's smile doesn't disappear. "I understand." He folds his napkin neatly beside his plate. "I only mean priorities naturally change. Most women are happy to step back once they have a husband and children. I think you'll be very happy."
Dad nods immediately. "Exactly."
He smiles at Daniel before looking at me. "I've told Lucy that plenty of times."
My appetite disappears. "I think I'd still want to work."
Silence settles over the table. Long enough for everyone to notice.
Mrs. Harris is the first to recover. "You may feel differently someday, dear."
She smiles at me like she's offering comfort. "It's hard to understand the peace of having your own home until you're there."
