Page 7 of The Doctor's Promise
“You don’t know what I saw in Syria, Lazlo.”
“I can guess, and no doubt you’re blaming yourself for not saving more people. That is your Achilles’ heel, Noe. You are not God. You can’t save everyone. Until you learn that, you’ll never be the exemplary doctor I know you can be.”
Noemi stopped walking. It was a lot to process all at once. Lazlo’s expression softened. “Noemi… I would not be pushing you like this unless I believed in you. I believe in you. The hospital believes in you. Rafael Genova is not punishing you for Thomasina’s death. He’s offering you the chance to honor her. Take it.”
And Noemi had no idea how to say no.
She walkedinto the new clinic, breathing in the smells of fresh paint and of new equipment barely out of its plastic. It wasn’t open yet, Lazlo had told her—a ceremony was planned for two days’ time, and Noemi knew that Rafa, Bepi, and Thomasina’s family would be there. Thomasina’s name was above the doorway, her photograph and biography framed at reception.
Noemi read it through and half-smiled at the photograph. It was Thomasina laughing, radiant, and full of joie de vivre, and Noemi realized that she had missed the sight of her patient—her friend.
“Hey, girl,” she murmured, touching the photograph.
“Getting emotional?”
Noemi turned with a smile. Finn Wilder grinned back at her. “Welcome back, honey.” He gave her a hug, then rubbed her back. “How’re the legs?”
“Good. A two-year tour at the run-down hospital facilities in Syria will do that. Exercise was mandatory. So,” she added, narrowing her eyes at him, “Lazlo finally managed to poach you from Tacoma?”
“What can I say? I’m a sucker for a pretty face.”
Noemi laughed. “Well, it’s going to be good to work for you, Finn.”
“With me, Noe. With. Anything else is just ego—we’ll make a great team.”
Noemi shook her head. “You’re so different from what I’m used to.”
Finn laughed. “You mean Dr. Dieter WonderDick?”
“The very one.” Noemi suddenly felt disloyal. “Although, he was great to me, when… you know.”
“You know that wasn’t your fault.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that to me?”
“Because, Noe, you carry this… Aw, hell, don’t worry about it. I’m sure you’ve heard all this before.” Finn sighed, knowing he’d opened a wound. “Let me show you around. Look at all the nice new toys we have. Genova gave us a huge amount, you know.”
“I figured.”
Finn showed her all the new equipment. “And we’ve funds for research too.”
“Really?”
“Really. The guy gave us a billion.”
Noemi stopped. “What?”
“Yep.”
Noemi was stunned. “He gave a billion dollars to the hospital where his fiancée died?”
“No,” Finn half-smiled at her. “He gave a billion dollars to the doctor he believes in, and who blames herself for Thomasina’s death. He gave a billion dollars to you, Noe. To your future.”
Noemi’s emotionswere in turmoil. Why would Rafa do this? Despite what Finn said, Noemi couldn’t believe Rafa’s motives were that pure.
Later, at home, she mindlessly ate some cold pizza and took a long bath. Had it been a mistake to come back? Everyone seemed to be determined to make her face what had happened—hadn’t she been through enough?
She went to bed but couldn’t sleep. Time ticked by, and at one a.m., having thought herself into a panic, she got up and threw her jeans on over her underwear, shrugging into a sweatshirt.
