“I know,” I say, giggling with her.“It’s for a charity initiative, so he can’t even argue with it.”I’ve already been imagining the look on his face when I correct him, the way his lips will thin when he’s trying to stay professional.
“I love that for you,” she says, still chuckling.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
We both watch Dusty climb the ladder quietly.
“Would you ever consider staying here?”
I sober, then shake my head.But even as I do, something in me hesitates.It doesn’t feel so silly as it would’ve weeks ago.There’re a few things pulling at me here—Dad, Scarlet, Dusty… but New York is my dream.
“I don’t think so.I feel like I’ve always needed to earn my father’s approval outside his shadow.Being here… it’s still his world.I want to go back to New York.That position, I earned it.”But saying it out loud now feels less certain.Like I’m trying to convince myself as much as her.
“Have you been learning a lot during your residency?”she asks.“Different from the city?”
“Oh yeah,” I say, laughing.“Being a small town, it doesn’t have every facility imaginable.Patients sometimes have to travel out of town to see specialists.And also, the people here?They know everything about each other.The gossip’s real, but… the care is real too.That part, I’ll miss.”More than I thought I would.A ribbon of sadness twists in me at the thought of that.
She nods, smiling.“And your dad?”
I pause, thinking of leaving him now and how that makes me feel precarious.“If things keep going the way they are, I’ll miss him too.We’ve made progress.It’s not perfect, but it’s something.Still, this isn’t home.Not for me.”And that thought makes me sad, yet more wistful and determined for the city.
“Well, then, you better come back for holidays,” Scarlet says, mock stern.“I’m not above guilt-tripping.”
I laugh.“Of course I will.I’ll try.The position is demanding, and the schedule won’t be easy, but I’ll make it work.”
Dusty’s voice breaks through the air.“REGAN!”
I glance over and see him smiling and waving frantically from the top of the playground.
“Guess it’s time to play,” Scarlet says.
“For ten minutes,” I warn Dusty.“Pirates first.Then hide-and-seek.”
We storm the playground like we’re kids again.For a while, I forget about work, expectations, and whose approval I’m chasing.I’m just a girl in a park, shouting in my best pirate accent, “Prepare to walk the plank.”
Dusty squeals and runs.
Eventually, we switch to hide-and-seek.I slip behind a wide oak tree, leaves rustling above me.My heart pounds not from fear, but from how ridiculously fun it is to be silly.
“What are we doing behind this tree?”
A warm breath grazes my ear, and I whirl around, clutching my chest.
Brant stands inches away, with a lopsided grin.
“God, you scared me,” I whisper, half-laughing.
He reaches out, and his hand lingers on my arm.“Do you always hide out behind trees on weekends, Dr.Thomas?”
“I’m not Dr.Thomas out here.”
“Okay, well, how about Rae?”he asks, and something in his voice contorts inside me.
“That’s fine,” I say quickly.“I’m here with—”
“REGAN!”Dusty runs toward us, his eyes lighting up the moment he spots Brant.“You’re here too?”Brant lifts him with ease, spinning him into the air like it’s nothing.
“Are you coming to play hide-and-seek?”Dusty grins.
