Page 28 of Doctor Neighbor

Buster stands, nodding. "Of course. Have a great day at school, Maddie. I'm sure Mr. Snuggles will miss you, but I bet he will have a good day, too. And Cole, I'll see you around?"

"Yeah, see you," I reply, ushering Maddie towards the elevator. As we step inside, I glance back at Buster, catching his smile before the doors close.

NINE

Buster

11:42 am

I scrub in, my heart pounding as I prepare for one of the most challenging surgeries of my career so far. James Harrison’s life is literally in my hands. The abdominal aortic aneurysm he’s dealing with is a ticking time bomb. If it ruptures, he’ll bleed out within minutes. The stakes couldn't be higher.

As I enter the OR, the sterile scent of antiseptic fills my nose. The team is ready, their faces masked with professional calm. But I know they feel the pressure, too. This isn’t a routine procedure.

“Alright, everyone. This is a complex case,” I say, my voice steady. “We need to stay focused and sharp. Let’s save this man’s life.”

The incision is made, and I can see the aneurysm pulsing dangerously close to bursting. I steady my hands, the weight of the moment pressing down on me. As I carefully navigate the delicate arteries, my mind races through every possible complication. One wrong move, and it’s over.

“Clamp,” I order, my eyes never leaving the surgical field. Sweat beads on my forehead, and I can feel my pulse quicken. This is it. This is where all those years of training come into play.

Hours pass like minutes, each second fraught with tension. The room is silent except for the steady beeping of monitors and the soft clink of instruments. I can feel the team’s eyes on me, their trust and hope pinned on my skills.

Finally, I place the graft, securing it with precision. The aneurysm is repaired, but the danger isn’t over. We still need to ensure everything holds and there’s no leakage.

“Alright, let’s close up,” I say, my voice betraying none of the anxiety churning inside me. As the final sutures are placed, I step back, releasing a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Good job, everyone. Now we wait.”

I trudge to the elevator, my scrubs still damp with sweat. The adrenaline from the surgery is fading, leaving me drained. As I reach the top floor, the smell of coffee hits me, a welcome respite from the sterile hospital air.

Ordering a double espresso, I slump into a chair by the window—the city sprawls below, oblivious to the life-and-death drama that just unfolded in my OR. I take a sip, letting the bitter warmth wash over me.

Mr. Harrison's face swims in my mind. A man with a family, with two teenage daughters who still need their dad. Just like I needed mine. The memory of my father hits me like a sucker punch. I was eighteen when an aortic aneurysm took him from us. Too young, too sudden.

I close my eyes, willing the image away. Today, we caught it in time. A routine scan for something else entirely saved Mr. Harrison's life—that and a precise surgery.

But the nagging voice in my head won't shut up. What if we missed something? What if he bleeds out despite our best efforts?

I shake my head, trying to dispel the doubts. The surgery was a success. I did everything by the book and then some. But still, the weight of responsibility presses down on me. It's not just about medical skill; it's about giving a family more time together. Time my family didn't get.

The bitter coffee goes down, giving me a jolt of energy. I'm lost in thought, the uncharacteristic anxiety over a single procedure gripping me. I can usually shut each case on and off as needed, but this one has me. It's been twelve years since I lost Dad, but it is just as raw as ever.

I down the last bitter sip of espresso, the jolt of caffeine finally starting to clear my head. As the cup clinks against the saucer, my mind drifts from Mr. Harrison to Cole. Damn, I still haven't stopped by her cafe. Some neighbor I'm turning out to be.

This morning's chance encounter flashes through my mind. Rushing out with her daughter, Cole looked effortlessly beautiful even in her hurry. Her chestnut hair was slightly tousled, framing her face in soft waves. Those clear blue eyes, usually so guarded around me, were warm today. Maybe our balcony chat is exactly what we needed to start off our new friendship as neighbors.

I can't shake the image of her in that flowy sundress, the fabric clinging just right to her curves. Focus, Buster. This is precisely the kind of thinking that'll mess up our fresh start as neighbors.

But there was something else in her eyes this morning. Worry. The health inspection. She brushed off my offer to help, but I can't get it out of my head. Before I can talk myself out of it, I pull out my phone and text my cousin, Aric.

Hey cuz, got a favor to ask. Friend's cafe got dinged on inspection. Hoping for insight.

I hit send, feeling like I'm walking a fine line. Cole made it clear she didn't want my help, but if Aric knows someone, that's just me being a good neighbor, right?

My phone buzzes almost immediately. Leave it to Aric to be glued to his phone.

Well, well, if it isn't Little Raymond! What's this about a cafe inspection?

I roll my eyes at the nickname. Some things never change. I am a junior, Raymond Charles Hankel, Jr., to be exact. Even though my father has long since passed, Buster has cemented itself as my name. Well, to everyone except Aric.

It's my neighbor's place. Got hit with some violations. Wondering if you know anyone who could help or give advice?

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