Page 35 of Written in the Charts

Thurlow’s expression didn’t change a bit, but my tension released. Serah wasn’t a heartless bitch, after all. Either my insult hit its mark and helped her see how she was hurting me, or she really hadn’t intended any evil out of this.

“That may be, Captain, but rules are rules, and failing a physical—no matter the reason—is not good.” Thurlow sighed, looking down at the reports. “You did pass every other portion of this physical, Miller, so I’m willing to do some bending. I won’t break the rules for you, but I need you to go one step further. You’ve been doing the platelet therapy, right?”

I nodded. “Yes, sir. With my GP off base. One shot a week for six weeks, and we’re on week four. We had a week to wait after the first cortisone shot.”

“So you gave him the cortisone inside four weeks?” Thurlow scowled at Serah again.

“Yes, sir. He needed it, which is why I brought this to your attention. I know it’s frowned upon, and I made the call. Leave him out of this. He didn’t have the choice.” Serah, taking the blame for this? That was so unlike her. I didn’t look at her for fear I’d see her start to cry or something.

“You and I will have words later, Captain. As for now, Mr. Miller, I’d like to see how the knee is healing. I’m ordering you to do imaging—X-rays, MRI, CT scan. Serah will draw up the papers for you and make the appointments.”

“But Sir, I’m up for command sergeant. I—”

“Yes, with a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan if you get it. I know. It comes with a hefty bonus, but also with a lot more responsibility. You have to be fit for duty. If your knee is damaged beyond repair, we can’t have you out there. It could be risky for your crew. If the images look good, we’ll recheck the blood pressure in a week or two and see what can be done.” Thurlow stood, prompting Serah and me to do so as well. “Miller, you’re dismissed. Serah will get you the appointment time. Captain, please remain here.”

She smiled at me stiffly as I walked out, hat in hands. I wasn’t completely out. I wouldn’t want to be Jones right now, getting ripped by the major, but she had brought it on herself. I’d make it a point to stop by her place later and let her know I appreciated her sticking up for me. It was the least I could do.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

Gypsy

I wore a low-cut top today, special for Evan, who had an appointment. I had a few minutes before he came in due to a cancellation on the schedule, so I opened his file and poked around a bit. Dr. Marshal had told me to look through it before seeing him. Apparently, the military sent over some things to us that Cameron thought I needed to see.

The results of some imaging tests were right up front, a few X-rays and the findings of an MRI. Evan had seen a specialist at some point unbeknownst to me. I wasn’t offended by that. He was Dr. Marshal’s patient, but I was a little sad he hadn’t told me about how things were going. Our relationship was closer than that, I thought. Still, maybe he was embarrassed by it.

Most guys didn’t talk about their health at all, and I was willing to bet his military background made him less likely to talk about private things like that. He was likely ordered to do the tests. I knew how stubborn he was and hard-headed too. I snickered to myself thinking of how that scene played out.

I wasn’t an expert at reading the imaging, but it didn’t look great to me. Dr. Marshal would have to help me with this bit. So I stood, carrying the file, and walked to his office. He had just sent a patient out, so I peeked in the door.

“Got a sec?”

He looked up with a smile. “Sure, Gypsy. Come on in.”

“I was just prepping for Mr. Miller’s appointment and noticed these imaging results. Can you give me your opinion?” I sat down across from him and pushed the file across his empty desk. The light blue walls always put me at ease, and the clouds painted on the ceiling were cheery, probably there for kids who came in.

“Yeah, I looked these over. Looks like that tendon is in bad shape. We have some meniscal root tearing, too, which wasn’t caught in the first imaging studies.” Cameron frowned at the results. “This injury has only gotten worse. If he doesn’t lay off, he will end up needing surgery.”

“It’s that bad?” I winced at the prognosis, worried that I’d be the one who had to give it to him. Being that he hadn’t told me about the tests, I wasn't sure how to bring that up other than strictly as his healthcare provider during a visit. “I mean, I know surgery is bad, but I’m saying... for his career.”

Suddenly realizing that I was revealing a bit too much interest in this patient, I blanched. Cameron, however, didn’t seem to notice. He cared about all of his patients. It was I who was emotionally invested because of a relationship that wasn’t supposed to happen, and I almost let it slip because I was worried about Evan’s job. I sighed.

“I mean, I want to be prepared for his reaction. He’s coming in today.”

“Well, based on this and knowing his job, he won’t get the promotion he’s looking for.” Cameron shook his head. “It’s a shame. I’m sure he was pretty excited about it, enough for Major Thurlow to tell me that if the results were bad enough, he wouldn’t get it.”

Promotion? Evan had said nothing to me about a promotion or the imaging... any of this, really. I felt hurt, but I kept the placid smile on my face. “Thanks, Doc.” I stood, picking up the file from his desk.

“Is everything okay?” he asked, looking up at me.

“I, uh... Yeah. I’m worried about his reaction a bit, honestly. I hate giving people bad news.” I bit my lip, hoping that sold it, but for good measure I added, “I’m also worried about my grades. Classes are over for the year, but if I didn’t pass the final, I have to retake chemistry.”

“Ah, well I’m sure you did fine, Gypsy. You worked really hard and studied for the tests. You were prepared.” His reassurance didn’t settle the knot in my stomach. “We’re still on for Saturdays, though? Because Chem-2 is a bitch.” He chuckled and stood.

“Yes!” I said, laughing with him, though my laugh was forced. “I need your help for sure or I won’t make it. Who knew chemistry was necessary for being a doctor?”

I rolled my eyes and walked out carrying a heavy weight. With my shoulders slumped forward and the file cradled against my chest, I slunk back to my office and sat down. Evan was up for a promotion that would take him far away from me for almost a year, and he hadn’t told me. I felt upset by that, but I had no right to be so upset considering I harbored an even deeper secret I hadn’t told him.

After staring at the documents in his chart for nearly twenty minutes, my emotions got the better of me. I felt my stomach rolling hard, and I ran for the trashcan. I was on my knees throwing up when the new receptionist came in to let me know I had another cancellation—this time for tomorrow.

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