“I need to see you and Dr.Harrison in my office.”
I read the page from my dad.I’m at the nurses' station with Brant, standing at the med cart, busy adjusting medication orders and Brant’s scribbling changes to imaging requests for out-of-town scans, just as the morning handover wraps up.
Great.Just what we need before a full clinic day.
Dad and I have been finding our flow lately.But being summoned to his office?That feels different.
I glance sideways at Brant as we fall into step, walking the long corridor toward my dad’s office.“Do you have any idea what this is about?”I ask.
He shrugs.“Nope.Not a clue.”But the way his thumb taps against the top of his pen, faster than usual, tells me he’s not as relaxed as he sounds.
My heart thuds anxiously.We pass the waiting room, turn right at the vending machine, and I slow as we reach the office door.I lift my fist to knock, but pause to quickly inhale.
Behind me, Brant hovers like a silent wall of tension.
Knock knock.
“Come in,” booms Dad’s voice.
The door creaks open, and just like that, I’m back inside the room where he chewed me out last time.As we approach his desk, he doesn’t look up, just flips through a file like it’s any other morning.
Brant and I both move for the same chair.When his hand grazes mine, he jerks it back.“Sorry,” he mutters, already sliding into the other seat.
I sit slowly, hyper-aware of everything, my heartbeat, my posture, the way my knee bounces slightly.Dad still hasn’t looked at us.
Brant leans back like it’s nothing.Of course he does.
Me?I feel like I’m trying to find a way to sit that doesn’t screamWhat did I do wrong this time?
Finally, Dad speaks.“I called you both in because I want you to work together on the hospital protocol committee.”
My stomach drops.
Brant wipes his brow with the back of his hand.“I… I don’t know if—” He shakes his head.“I’m running out of time on my current caseload.I’ve been trying to handle everything in peds and—” His eyes slide toward me.“You sure someone like Dr.Gould can’t do this?”
I stiffen.“Yeah, Dad.I’m a lot of work, remember?”I say, trying not to flinch.“Might be good to give this to someone who isn't also juggling a mentorship.”
That familiar hollow ache settles in my chest.I really thought I’d been pulling my weight lately, especially with Brant, but I guess I’ve been more of a burden than a help.I can’t stand how that feels.And yet, deep down, I care.
“No,” Dad says firmly, eyes still on the file.“I want you two to do this.You’ll take it seriously and do it properly.It doesn’t need to take forever.Just stay late, and it’s done.”
“When’s the committee meeting?”I ask,
“Friday.”
Perfect.So we have three days to slap together a whole protocol submission.No pressure.
“Well…” Harrison says, drawing out the word as he rubs the back of his neck, “I guess we’ll get started on it.”
Dad finally looks up and slides a folder across the desk.“Here’s all the information you’ll need.Meeting minutes, existing drafts, a list of departmental reps you’ll need to consult.”
His gaze flicks to me, and something changes in his tone.A little softer, but still cool.“Make sure you help here.”
The words sting, even though they’re not mean.Just… expectation.Like he has to say it to keep up appearances.
But why always me?Why not tell Brant to help me?How does he know Brant won’t just dump the whole thing in my lap while he pretends to be too busy?
I bite the inside of my cheek.
