Page 13 of Right in Front of You

“Doctor Burke, that’s too much.”

“Molly, trust me when I tell you that it’s not nearly enough.”

I looked to my mother to help me out of the situation, but she only smiled, which meant I could take the money.

“And you can spend the night at my house, if you’d like. There’s a separate apartment where my mother used to live. If you don’t mind granny drapes and old furniture, that is.”

“Are you okay with this, Mom?” I asked.

“Yes, actually, I’m more than okay. You’ll be safe there until tomorrow.”

Why did her encouraging words sound so wrong?

“I don’t think I’ll get a better deal for the night than that.” I smiled. “This is all very generous of you, Doctor Burke. I’ll pay you back the money. I promise. It may be a while, since I’m not planning on being a nurse, but a doctor.”

My mother’s hands flew to her mouth, covering it, and her eyes glossed over. “Oh, Molly.”

“What made you change your mind?” Doctor Burke asked. “Nursing is tough, but becoming a doctor, well, that takes a lot of commitment. But if there’s anyone who can do it, it’s you, Molly. I have no doubt of that.”

“Thank you. It feels like the right decision and I think I was meant to help others,” I said. “Just please keep it between us. I don’t want Father to know, and I still have two years left to keep my grades up if I want a scholarship.”

“You have our word.”

I looked over to my mother again, who was simply glowing.

That late afternoon, as I sat at the table outside the convenience store with my mother, Doctor Burke, and Nathan, having a simple cup of tea, I felt peace. For the first time in my life, I got a glimpse of what a family could be and should be: happy, respectful, and worry-free. My mother couldn’t stop smiling. Nathan kept asking Doctor Burke questions about bones, and I just basked in happiness that I wished could last a lifetime.

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