Page 64 of Doctor One Night

Carly nods, a supportive smile on her face. “I’m glad to hear that, Frankie. I know it’s not easy, but it sounds like you’re doing the right thing. It’s never too late to try and make things better.”

“Yeah,” I say, a weight lifting off my shoulders. “I think so, too. It’s interesting how sickness and thoughts of leaving this earth can soften the heart. Now that he’s doing better it was a catalyst, but gratefully we don’t have to deal with the sadness of it. It’s given us a second chance.”

We spend the rest of the evening chatting about lighter topics, the comfort of our friendship a welcome balm to the full day. As Carly heads out later, I am extra grateful for the people in my life—the ones who’ve always been there and the ones who are starting to be.

TWENTY-TWO

Hunter

Thursday, May 30

UAB Hospital

6:34 am

Walking into the OR, the surgical team is already preparing for the procedure and ready for me. I try to shake off the thoughts swirling in my mind. The patient on the table depends on me, and I need to be fully focused on the task at hand. But pushing everything aside is hard, especially when the weight of the world presses down on my shoulders.

I can’t stop thinking about Frankie and how much I regret not being able to meet up with her last night. After the day I had, dealing with everything around Grace and then that damn phone call with my mother’s doctor, I just didn’t have the energy.

The truth is, that phone call with Dibbins about my mother knocked the wind out of me. Her Hodgkin’s lymphoma isn’t responding to the treatments, and the latest labs suggest she’s got that rare, resistant strain I’ve been reading about. The one with a prognosis that makes my stomach twist just thinking about it.

My mother, who’s been battling this disease all alone, doesn't understand what it all means. I don’t think her doctor there does, either.

It’s heavy, and I don’t know how I’m supposed to deal with it. Should I move her out here, closer to me, so I can keep a better eye on her care? Even thinking about that—about uprooting her life, about the strain it would put on both of us—it makes my head spin.

I glance at the clock, mentally preparing myself for the surgery ahead, but my thoughts keep circling back to the same place.

I’ve always been the one who’s in control, who handles everything with a steady hand and a clear mind. But this… this is different.

Right now, I have a patient to focus on. I can’t afford to let my mind wander, not when there’s a life on the line. I take a deep breath, trying to clear my head as I step into the OR, the surgical lights bright overhead.

It’s time to do what I do best—focus on the task at hand and save a life. The rest… I’ll have to deal with that later.

11:39 am

After finishing the surgery, I scrub out, my mind already drifting back to the heavy thoughts I’ve been trying to push away all morning. I dry my hands and check my phone, noticing a missed call and a text from Jonah. The message is short and direct.

Call me as soon as you get this. It's about Grace.

My heart sinks, and a wave of dread washes over me. Grace has weighed on me since the heart attack. I'm not her doctor of record, but I've been consulting with her cardiologist to make sure she gets everything she needs.

Her stats have been stable, but she is very sick. I know Dr. Calloway, her doctor, has been exploring different options for her, but she can't do anything until she gets her strength up. I hope things haven't taken a turn for the worse.

The fact that Jonah is calling me about her isn't a good sign. He is her de facto son. As a general surgeon, there isn't much he can do for her, except advocate for her care. I quickly dial his number and head toward my office, already mentally preparing for the worst.

Jonah picks up on the first ring. “Hunter, meet me at your office. We need to talk about Grace.”

“I’m on my way,” I say, my voice tight as I pick up the pace.

As I walk through the hallway, I see Shep Duncan heading toward me with a dumb fucking grin on his face. It's nice to know someone around here doesn't have the world crumbling all around him.

“Hey, Parrish!” Shep calls out as we approach each other. “Heard the good news about Mrs. Falworth?”

I shake my head, distracted, but slow down just enough to give him a moment. “No, what’s up?”

Shep doesn’t stop walking, but he turns back as we pass each other. “She finally quit smoking! Can you believe it?”

Mrs. Falworth, our stubborn, chain-smoking patient, finally quit? I never thought I’d see the day.

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