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Mickie
It was official; I’d survived my first month at Saint John’s as a new resident. I loved everything about working at this hospital, including how John and I had settled into a fun friendship.
The man certainly pranked all our asses every time we turned around, but when we worked the on-call shifts, it made for a lively night, especially when things were slow and our minds started to get tired.
I was happier than I’d been in years. I’d finally settled down into exactly where I needed to be in life, and it was the most comfortable feeling in the world.
Ring! Ring!
I picked up the phone while I stashed the last of my strawberries in a plastic baggie, adding them to the lunch I was taking to work.
“Hey, Mom,” I said, pinning my cell phone between my cheek and shoulder, so I could finish packing the food into my lunch case.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” she chimed, no doubt cheerful because the first day of fall had finally arrived in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. My mother loved this time of year more than anyone I’d ever met, and my old hometown was never as beautiful as it was when the leaves changed color. “I haven’t talked to you on the phone since the night you and Jesse?—”
“Mom,” I interrupted her. “That was a month ago, and I don’t want to talk about it. I’m sure you can think of better things to talk to Aunt Bev about behind my back.”
“I only discussed things with Beverly because she asked about your status when you were thinking about moving into her place,” she defended her tendency to meddle. “But that’s beside the point. I’m calling to make sure you’re doing well and see how you like the new job. We haven’t even talked about that yet.”
“Okay, I’m sorry. I’ve been super busy, and I apologize that I haven’t called you or Dad,” I said. “I love the new job, but I can’t talk now. My Uber just showed up, so I’m ready to head out.”
“Mikayla,” my mom said my name as if I were ten years old and forgot to clean my room. “I understand you’re busy, but your father and I want to fly out to see you and spend some time together.”
Why now? Why? Why? Why? I questioned. The last thing I wanted to do was entertain my parents while juggling work, settling in, and trying to sleep whenever possible.
“Lydia is flying into Los Angeles for work, and we wanted to make the most of it and get everyone together.”
“I had no idea Lydia was coming here,” I said, curious why my younger sister hadn’t mentioned it. But knowing her, she felt the same way I did. She was a fashion designer, constantly running all over the world, keeping up with her clients, so she knew what it meant to enjoy peace and quiet—something you didn’t get with our parents. “It would be wonderful to see her.”
“And what about me and Dad?” she laughed.
“That too,” I said. It would be hectic, but having time with my family would be nice, assuming I wasn’t on-call or sleeping the whole time.
“Well, I’m booking a hotel for the first weekend of October, two weeks away. I hope we can all enjoy a nice dinner and maybe see how you’re enjoying Aunt Beverly’s home.”
“Sounds great.” I shuffled out the door, nearly forgetting my name badge and almost dropping my phone. “I’ll add it to my reminders so I don’t forget,” I said, hearing my mom laugh in response on the other end of the line.
“Honey, listen to you,” she started. “Adding a visit from your parents to your reminders.”
“Mom, I’d forget my head if it wasn’t screwed on these days,” I said, setting the alarm to the house and acknowledging the driver waiting for me on the cobblestone driveway.
“I understand, and just so you know, your dad and I are extremely proud of you.”
“Tell him I love and miss him. Can’t wait to see you both,” I finished, and then we said our goodbyes as I sat in the car.
Ding!
I looked to see a text come in from John.
John: I’ll be in a meeting with a patient and her husband this morning. Rough news for them. I’m having Allison reschedule most of my morning patients for the afternoon. Are you cool with taking anyone who can’t reschedule?
It wasn’t like John to send more than three words in a text, so I was surprised he did instead of calling me. I remembered something about one of his patients possibly needing a total hysterectomy, removal of the uterus, both tubes and ovaries. It was a life-altering surgery, and he was troubled not only because the patient was so young—only in her twenties—but she was also the wife of a friend.
These were the hard parts of the job, but our responsibility was to keep our patients healthy and safe.
Mickie: Allison and I will handle it. I hope all is well with your friends.
John: TY.
