Page 11 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

She looked on the petite side to him. Maybe a foot shorter than him if he was guessing. He was too lost in her looks that were just stunning and stood out so sharply.

He’d always steered clear of any romantic relationship with someone he worked with.

Even though he had a great example of his parents lasting almost four decades, they were the exception to the rule.

Too many crashed and burned and things got messy.

He had enough mess on his plate lately.

“Donuts are always a good thing. Low seniority,” his mother said, laughing. “Which is hard, but your father has been there and you too. It’s all part of working at the hospital.”

“I know it,” he said. “Unless I go to another hospital not affiliated with the island.”

His mother laughed. “You’d never do that.”

“No,” he said. “Not unless I didn’t have a choice. You know, like getting canned.”

“No one is going to fire you,” his mother said sternly.

“One more lawsuit and it might happen,” he said, sighing.

“Garrett, it was dismissed. You did nothing wrong and you know it. They had multiple opinions and all agreed with the treatment plan. People who get cancer die. It happens.”

“Happens too much,” he said around another mouthful. “Or too much for me.”

Last year was the tipping point for him.

The lawsuit only added to his mental fatigue making him doubt his career choice.

“And that is why you’re trying to take life in the slow lane. Your father and I will support any decision you make. You know that.”

“I do,” he said. “I appreciate it. Had an interesting day and have to keep reminding myself what I told my patient.”

“Want to talk about it?” his mother asked.

“Sure,” he said. “I had a first-time chemo patient.”

“Which is hard if they are scared and they always are,” his mother said. “You know I was a chemo nurse and met your father that way.”

When she returned to work after the birth of her kids, she went to the hospital and not a specialty office since she worked the second or third shift or a weekend.

“I know the story,” he said. “I like to think I’ve got some of my compassion from you.”

“You and your sister both,” his mother said.

“I talked with the patient prior. Eased her mind as best as I could and thought we were good to go.”

“But then she got to the room and panicked?” his mother asked.

“Yes. I was more firm this time and gave her a reality check with it. She has a great diagnosis and only needs four rounds of chemo, spaced two weeks apart. She should tolerate it well. We talked about her grandkids.”

“And you mentioned how she would have a better chance watching them grow with the treatment?”

“Of course,” he said. “I laced it with nothing is guaranteed. Again, don’t need another lawsuit.”

“Now you’re being snarky,” his mother said, chuckling.

“I don’t mean to be,” he said. “Just stating the truth.”

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