Page 58 of Mic Drop

“I couldn’t have done this without you,” I tell her. “You’ve made this all possible.”

She shakes her head. “I only was following your lead. I’m happy we’re on schedule, given all the shit Michelle’s been pulling.”

There’s the second thorn in my side. When her Black Widow graffiti stunt didn’t work out the way she thought it would, she continued to refuse to refer patients to my clinics, as witnessed by our patient count. My lunch today with her boss is my last-ditch effort to get her to stand down. I straighten the constructionnotes.

“Let’s hope my lunch goes well.”

“You got this.” Court gives me a hug, helps me into a blazer over my scrubs, and ushers me out the door. I call Ma on my way to the restaurant.

“Hi, just wanted to remind you I’m going to lunch with Dr. Marlow.”

Her voice, less and less reminiscent of herself, replies, “Good luck with him.” She laughs, but it ends with coughing.

“Ma, are you sure it’s okay if I go out to lunch? I can reschedule.”

“No, Sweet Pea. I want you to get on top of this stuff with Michelle. I’ll be here when you get back.” She pauses. “I promise.”

“All right,” I agree. Only because this has to stop with Michelle. “I’ll see you at home.”

I disconnect the line and place another phone call. To Kara. “Hey, just spoke with Ma. She sounds weaker.”

“I know. I’m on my way out to her house now.”

The fact my sister’s coming out to Aroostook is both calming and disturbing. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

A short time later, I pull into the restaurant’s parking lot. I’m ready to deal with Michelle once and for all. I don’t have time to waste on the likes of her. Not when Ma is fading so fast.

At the table, Dr. Marlow smiles at me. “How’s business going?”

I tilt my head. “It’s busy, but I’ve been surprised by the lower numbers coming from your practice.” Best to be honest.

He jerks backward. “What do you mean? I’m referring the same number of patients to your clinics. You do an excellent job.”

The waiter delivers our sandwiches and I take a bite. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, but someone on your team doesn’t agree. I’ve checked the numbers, and referrals from your office have dropped off by more than half.”

“I have no idea why. I do the surgeries and send them to you for rehab.”

I sip my lemonade. “I think your receptionist may be sending them to another clinic.”

“Why would Michelle do that?”

Because she’s hated me since high school. Because I married Bennett Hardy. Because she’s a total bitch. “I think this might be a good conversation for you to have with her.”

“I will. Don’t you worry. Your numbers will soon be where they were.”

“Thanks, Dr. Marlow.” I take another bite of my sandwich, the churning in my stomach lessening for the first time in a long while.

“If I didn’t mention this before, congratulations on your marriage.”

I fiddle with my wedding and engagement rings. “Thanks.” My phone goes off and I raise my finger to my dining companion. “It’s my sister. Excuse me.” I step away from the table. “Kara?”

“Ma’s not doing well. We’re going to the hospital now.”

Oh. My. God. My whole body wants to convulse, but all I can think of is keeping it together in public because the media are waiting to pounce. Besides, Ma said she’d be waiting for me tonight to hear about my meeting. I swallow and return to the table.

“Dr. Marlow. Thank you for meeting me for lunch and your kind words. I need to go to the hospital. My mother?—”

The doctor stands. “Go. Go. And don’t worry about this business between us at all.”

---