Page 5 of Nanny for the Doctor

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” I pick my phone back up and gesture at the screen.

“Why don’t you call Aunt Heather? I like being with her.”

I smile. It’s a great thought, and I know she enjoys spending time with Henry, too. “Good idea, kiddo. I’ll call her.”

As I find Heather’s number in my phone, Henry goes back to the living room, where I can still hear his cartoons playing. She answers after just a few rings.

“Hello, Reed. What’s up?”

“Hi, Heather. Sorry to call so last minute, but I’m needed at the hospital. Do you think you can watch Henry for a bit?”

“My favorite nephew? Of course, but are you sure you have to go in? You’re covering shifts left and right.”

Guilt stabs through my chest, but I can’t leave the other doctors hanging.

“I’m aware, Heather. But work is important. I’ll be there in ten.”

“Reed, I—”

But I don’t let her finish. I already know what she’s going to say.

“I have to get going if I’m going to be there on time. Don’t worry about Henry. See you soon.”

I hang up and gather my stuff before Henry and I head out.

I’m still grateful Heather lives so close, a benefit of having had a wife with an amazing relationship with her sister. The thought of Clara is quickly followed by a stinging sadness that I really expected to be fainter after three years.

That’s the thing about grief, though. I don’t think I’ll ever get over losing her, especially since I should have been there to do something about it.

A car honks behind me, and I realize I didn’t see the light turn green. I wave through the back window and take off.

When we reach Heather’s, I help Henry out of the car with his bag of stuff, and Heather is on the front porch waiting for us.

“Hi, Henry! Head on in. I’ll be there in just a second.”

My son practically sprints toward her and wraps his aunt in a huge hug. He goes inside, and I sigh as Heather raises her brows at me.

“What?”

“Four weekends in a row, Reed. Four.”

I bite down on my molars. “I don’t have time for this, Heather. I need to get to work.”

“So what else is new?” She sighs and crosses her arms over her chest. “You can’t keep canceling plans with Henry like this. He’s starting to expect you to disappoint him.”

The comment is a gut punch, but not because Heather is rude. A part of me sees it, too.

After all, Henry used to put up a much bigger fight about it. Now, he seems…prepared, but I can’t have this conversation now.

“It’s just busy, and I’m needed. The patients need me.”

“So does your son.” Heather exhales hard and steps toward her door. “It’s not fair to do this to a seven-year-old boy. He doesn’t understand. All he sees is that you’re choosing everything else over him.”

“It’s not fair when people get in accidents and wind up in the ER, either. I can’t abandon them.” I break eye contact with her and start back toward my car. “I’ll pick him up later. Thanks for watching him.”

When I look back up at Heather, there’s a sorrow in her eyes I can’t handle. It’s too much, so I just hop in the car. Just as I’m closing the door, I hear her shout.

“I’ll always be here to help with Henry. And you, if you let me.”

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