Page 60 of Stat: Love In Scrubs
I placed my phone back into my pocket to finish my rounds before letting the nurses know I would be out for lunch today and to beep me for emergencies. Then grabbed my wallet from my locker and walked to the shop since it wasn’t far from the hospital.
Within five minutes, I was at the shop, ordering a hot Italian sub, a bottle of water, and kettle-cooked chips. I waited briefly for Ron and Marissa to make it to my booth, I picked in the far back corner of the shop. I figured we would need privacy for our talk.
I just hoped they would come to have a respectful conversation. I wasn’t going for anything other than that. They called my name to let me know my food was ready, so I grabbed it and sat back down. I prayed over my meal, then ate when I saw them walk into the shop.
They scanned the restaurant looking for me, so I waved to get their attention. I said another silent prayer before they finally made it to my table and slid in on the opposite side of my booth. Ron and Marissa glanced at one another before looking back at me.
Marissa spoke first.
“First, I wanted to apologize in person for my behavior. Your girlfriend did not deserve to be treated the way she was by me. I didn’t have that right, and no one does. I in no way want to use this as an excuse, but it’s just a fact. I was surprised. When we spoke, it never occurred to me that you had moved on, that we would be surrounded by more than just Esa and you.
“It was a lot for me to handle and spiraled, then I lashed out at Yara. It was yet another truth I hadn’t been willing to accept until that moment,” she finished.
“And what’s that?” I asked.
A long tear slipped down her cheek. “That my baby is truly gone.”
I was at a loss for words because the grief coming off her was in waves.
“Have you ever thought about getting in contact with a grief therapist? If I hadn’t gotten one, I would still be in the same state as you two. I had to take the healthy route for my daughter. It’s one reason I signed her up for Yara’s academy. If you had taken the time to get to know her, you would see she is just like Esa.”
“What do you mean?” Ron asked.
“Her mother died from childbirth, but it’s more than that. It wasn’t like Veronica; her mother was openly profiled and ignored, which caused her death. She could have still had her mother today, but she didn’t have doctors who cared whether she was truly okay.
“I was in that room with Veronica that day. I saw the amount of care her doctor had with her. They made sure to be attentive to her, right down to the very end. It’s the reason I am the doctor that I am today. Veronica had an advocate, and Yara’s mother didn’t. Yet you spewed so much hate at someone you didn’t truly know. I understand you’re in pain, and you were caught off guard. But that never gives you the right to break someone else. I appreciate you having this conversation with me today, but you owe her an apology, too.”
Ron and Marissa nodded in agreement. “We’re more than okay with doing that. If you don’t mind giving us that therapist number, we would truly appreciate it.”
I nodded and pulled my phone from my back pocket to send them the information through text before I forgot.
“I know we didn’t handle ourselves well, but once we’re in a better headspace, we would like to try again with Esa. I hate that’s the impression she has of us.”
I nodded and chuckled. “She doesn’t have a bad impression. She thinks the vacation you went on wasn’t good and that maybe you need to take another one. But a good one, might I add, so you can be happy when you get back.”
Ron and Marissa burst into laughter. “She is so silly like her mother was, but also so intelligent. You have done an amazing job with her. You tell her we’re going to take a better vacation this time, and when we come back, our attitudes will be a lot better.” Ron responded.
I nodded, glad that this lunch didn’t go the way I was expecting. I was prepared to respond when my beeper went off, alerting me that I needed to get back to the hospital.
“I hate to cut our lunch short, but duty calls. Thank you again for coming by. The door is always open whenever you’re ready to give this another shot.” I told them.
Ron and Marissa stood along with me and walked with me outside before going our separate ways.Today had been everything I needed it to be.
The Visit
I hadn’t planned on coming out here today.
But after the week I’d had—and the way Yara kept looking at me like she saw through all the shit I tried to keep buried—it just felt right.
I pulled in slowly, gravel crunching under the tires as I eased into the usual spot. Not too close. Not too far. Just where I always parked when I came to see her.
I stepped out, bouquet in hand—sunflowers, because Esa said they were “happy flowers”—and walked the rest of the way. My chest tightened when I saw her name carved into the stone. Still clean. Still simple. Just like she would’ve wanted.
I stood there for a minute, letting the silence wrap around me. Letting myself feel her.
“Hey, V.”
I crouched down and brushed a few dried leaves away from the edge of the marker. Placed the flowers beside it, then rested my hand on top like it would bring her closer.
