Page 14 of Dr. Intern

Before I can get far, Parker grabs my arm. He doesn’t even look at me as he pulls me back into the discussion.

I glance at Cass, hoping she’ll have my side in this, but she keeps her eyes lowered to the ground.

Coward.

“I promise that I won’t bother you with the details today,” he says sympathetically. “I just wanted to introduce myself and let you know that in the next several weeks I will be reaching out with more information regarding assets.”

He shifts his feet nervously as I glare at him, trying to convey my distaste for his interruption. “Your mother and I knew each other growing up. She was one of my best friends and helped me through some of the roughest times in my life. I can’t tell you how sorry I am for your loss. She was the definition of a servant leader in the community, and I hope you guys can meet all of the people she helped.”

I can already feel tears threatening to spill, despite my hope that I’d be able to keep them at bay until after the service. “Is that all you need Mr. Dickerson?”

Parker and Caroline shoot daggered glares in my direction, their identical blue eyes silently chastising me like always.

“Excuse my sister, she’s taking this hard,” Parker says, as if I’m not here.

My siblings continue to make insignificant small talk with the man as I shift my eyes anywhere but this conversation.

The lobby of the church is massive, with high ceilings covered in intricate white molding that has to be hundreds of years old. Stained glass windows cover the walls, depicting various religious events from thousands of years ago. Not that I really know much about them. Most of the time I spent here growing up was filled with socialization and being told to shush when I was being too loud.

We grew up coming to this church, and most of my memories here are happy—Christmas, Easter, that type of thing. Occasions to see, and be seen, because this is where all of the hoity-toity people in the suburbs of D.C. go. My parents were both active in the community, and while I know they did a lot of great things like that lawyer guy said, I never really paid attention.

But now I wish I had.

As people adorned in black begin to enter the lobby, the man tells us goodbye, and Parker’s grip on my arm loosens.

To my surprise, he doesn’t say anything. Instead, my sister Caroline turns her head to me, her eyes glowering at me. “Would it kill you to be polite?”

“I’m sorry that we were having an important discussion, and he interrupted,” I snap. “He’s an adult, shouldn’t he also have manners?”

Parker sighs, the circles under his eyes appearing to darken with his exhale. “You’re an adult too, Claire.”

Good—two against one, just like always. Why couldn’t my parents have four kids? At least things would be even.

“Cass, will you come to the bathroom with me?” I ask, shooting her a hopeful look.

My one ally.

Her face falls, glancing between my brother and me hesitantly. He nods almost imperceptibly, as if he’s her goddamn keeper.

“Sure, let’s go.”

As we enter the bathroom the tension between us is palpable. I can tell she’s torn between supporting me or supporting my brother. Why does she have to even choose? Why can’t we be on the same side and just support each other?

I lean against the counter, letting out a frustrated sigh. “I can’t believe Caroline. Why is she always taking Parker’s side?” The tears that threatened earlier have given way to rage—an easier emotion for me to process.

Cassidy stands in front of me, her expression tender yet filled with something else I can’t place. She looks perfect, dressed in a velvet black long-sleeve dress that hangs from her body. Her blonde hair is curled loosely, falling casually over her shoulders. Despite the situation, her presence is warm and comfortable, like an old friend that I’ve known my whole life.

She reaches out, plucking a piece of lint from my black Dior cap-sleeved dress.

I’ve always hated black—it’s so somber. If I had it my way, I would have worn something from Mom’s colorful closet in homage to her. But Dr. Jerkoff told me that it would be distracting and that we needed to put on a united front. Though, I’m not sure how united we look after the argument we justhad . . .

“They love you,” Cass says softly. “You know that right?”

“Yeah, so everyone says,” I scoff, tilting my head back to look at the ceiling as the lump starts to form in my throat again. “It doesn’t ever feel like it.”

“Claire, I think they're just on edge with everything that’s happened,” she sighs as she smooths out her dress. “It’ll get better once we make it through today.”

I can feel her hazel eyes on me, but I refuse to meet her gaze. “I thought you of all people would defend me.”

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