Page 12 of Asystole

“Asystole. It’s cardiac arrest with complete cessation of all electrical and mechanical output of the heart.”

“Sounds riveting,” I lie as I signal to our waiter that we’re ready for the check. When he brings it over, I grab it before Chase can pay for my food. “Dude, you’re an intern, which is barely a resident. You have, like, negative money. I’ll pay.”

Chase offers another one of his carefree laughs.

“Dude, both of my parents are world-renowned surgeons, and I’m an only child. Trust me, I had more money before I could walk than I’ll ever make in my lifetime. Plus, as long as I’m ‘on the path,’ they foot the bill for my existence.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” I ask, sliding my credit card into the little pouch.

“Well, first it meant getting into a top med school. Then it meant choosing a specialty they deem worthy of my time and their money. And last, it means no babies, weddings, or cohabitation with Kendra until I’m done with both residency and fellowship and am established in practice.”

“How does your girlfriend feel about that?” I ask, handing my card to the waiter.

“She knows the rules,” he says. I must have an incredulous look on my face because Chase laughs. “It’s really not as crazy as it sounds. My parents just feel like if I get married or knock Kendra up, then I’m stating that I’m ready to have a family of my own, and that includes financially supporting one, and dealing with that stress will take my focus away from where it needs to be.”

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense,” I concede. “And what about the specialty thing?” I ask. “Seems kind of fucked up to force your kid down a road he isn’t passionate about.”

“No, I mean, trauma surgery is crazy interesting. And I’m decent under pressure, so it’s a good fit.”

“But is it what you want to do?”

Chase shrugs. “I just want to practice medicine, make a difference, and help people feel better,” he says.

Well, he’s certainly made me feel better tonight.

“Sounds like you’re on the path, then,” I tease. “But tonight’s still on me. You can grab the bill next time.”

Chase grins. “I’m holding you to a next time.”

I’m relieved to realize that I’m already looking forward to it.

Chapter 6

Chase

Ihate being late. And in the hospital, if you aren’t ten minutes early, you’re already late. Bypassing the elevator, I fly up six flights of stairs. I only get a handful of minutes for lunch most days, and I promised Marcy I’d swing by today.

Sweat dots my brow as I push through the stairwell door into the pediatric oncology wing. I have to badge into this part of the hospital and scrub in as if I were going into the operating room, since the kids in this unit are severely immunocompromised.

Turning the corner into room sixteen, Marcy’s eyes brighten at my presence, making my heart ache in my chest. It’s unfair that so many kids like her have already suffered so much in their short lives.

Except for the pale blue bandana with dolphins covering her bare scalp, you’d never know Marcy was fighting leukemia. She never utters a single complaint and always wears a smile. A lot of adults I know could learn a lesson or two about gratitude and a positive attitude from Marcy.

“Marcy Bear!” I exclaim, approaching her bed.

“Dr. Chase!” she returns with just as much enthusiasm.

“What are we watching today?” I ask, pulling a chair up next to her bed. Marcy’s mom is a single parent who has to work in order to keep health insurance and pay the astronomical prices that Marcy’s treatments cost, even though she’d rather be spending time with her daughter. But just like Marcy, Helen never complains.

“The Real Housewives of Georgia,” Marcy answers automatically and without shame, making me chuckle.

“You love your trash TV, don’t you?” I tease.

Marcy’s only eleven, but no one tells her she should be watching something more age-appropriate because no one knows if she’ll live long enough to make it to an appropriate age to watch the shit she loves.

“So much,” she says with glee as she laces her fingers under her chin and bats her eyes at me.

I wish I had time to get to know all the kids on this floor, but as it stands, I can only sneak up here a couple times a week to say hello to a few of the kids I really connected with during an observational rotation I did my last year of med school.