Page 12 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

He took another bite of his dinner, then broke his meatball up with his fork.

“The truth is hard,” his mother said. “We understand. So you calmed her and all was good?”

“For the most part. I told her she could ask for me and I’d come back to see her.”

“And how often did she ask?” his mother asked.

“Four times,” he said. “It was fine. Twice during the prep drugs when she felt different. We explained it was normal to have hot flashes and then feel tired.”

The nurses needed to know every symptom felt to make sure there was no reaction.

“You went to see her each time and told her she was doing well, right?”

“Yes,” he said. “I promised her I would. The fourth time was when she was done. She wanted to thank me. Her husband had before it started.”

“She’ll be fine next time,” his mother said. “And she’ll remember your patience and kindness.”

“I think so. She hugged me.”

Patients didn’t normally do that, but he didn’t mind. He returned it and felt good about it.

Those rewards he’d said to someone else. They eased the mental load he carried and got him through.

“Good for her,” his mother said. “I think you need some hugs too.”

He laughed. “Not from patients,” he said.

“I don’t want to know,” his mother said. “Or I’m going to lecture you on finding a partner. Someone you can relax with and take your mind off of work.”

“It wasn’t happening in Boston and is going to be even harder here,” he said. “I don’t need that headache. Anyway, I had another patient that I was late to see since I was checking in on my chemo one and when I returned she said she understood. A ten-year survivor and she remembered it like it was yesterday. Said that my job had to be depressing.”

His mother sighed. “What did you say?”

“I wasn’t going to lie. I said it had its moments, but it was also rewarding. When she told me she was loving life and everything was great, I told her that is part of the rewarding side I saw.”

“Good for you,” his mother said. “You’re always honest even when people don’t want to hear it.”

He rolled his eyes. “Lying doesn’t do anyone any good.”

“Now you’re thinking of Taylor. You didn’t lie to her.”

“Mom,” he said, rolling his eyes. “You are going to ruin this good conversation we are having bringing her up.”

“Sorry,” his mother said. “But I thought that is where you were going with the lying comment.”

His ex had accused him of lying about how hard his career was. That she didn’t know going in he’d be gone all the time. Or on call so much.

That he’d be mentally disconnected on really bad days.

He needed someone who understood that and Taylor wasn’t it. She didn’t even try.

It was in his past and he just preferred to keep it that way and move on.

“I wasn’t,” he said. “Anyway, all is good here.”

“And now you want to go,” his mother said. “Hope I didn’t put you in a bad mood.”

“Never,” he said. “I’m almost done with my dinner. I’m surprised you weren’t nauseated by me chewing in your ear.”

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