“As for the complaints against you,” she continues, “we found no evidence of compromised medical judgment. Your documentation is exemplary. Your treatment decisions were sound and followed accepted protocols. Your session counts with Captain Varga were appropriate for the injury severity.”
“You’re cleared,” Barrett says. “Completely.”
I open my mouth but nothing comes out.
“I want to be clear,” Claire says, her voice softening slightly. “Your romantic relationship isn’t a policy violation. We don’t prohibit relationships between staff and players. However, going forward, if you’re treating him for injuries, we’ll need documented oversight. Just standard practice for situations like this.”
I nod, still trying to process.
Barrett leans forward. “I also want to apologize, on behalf of the organization, for what you’ve been put through. Winters filed his complaints while you were on bereavement leave, which was—” He stops. “It was unconscionable. You shouldn’t have had to deal with this while grieving your mother.”
Something in my chest cracks.
“Thank you.”
“You’re scheduled to return Monday,” Claire says. “We’re glad to have you back.”
The tears startas I get to my car.
Not sad tears. Not scared tears. Just release.
Weeks of tension finally letting go.
I sit in the driver’s seat crying into my hands, and I don’t even care.
Winters is gone. I’m cleared. It’s over.
I pull out my phone once I can see straight enough to type.
Interview’s done. I’m cleared. Winters is terminated.
Roman
Are you okay?
Yeah. Surprisingly okay. Coming home now.
Roman
I’m here.
Roman’s waitingby the door when I walk in.
He takes one look at my face, probably red and blotchy from crying, and opens his arms.
I walk into them and just stand there, letting him hold me while I catch my breath.
“You okay?” he asks quietly.
“Yeah.” I turn my head up to him. “Barrett apologized. For the timing. For Winters filing while I was on leave.”
“He should.”
“They told me about the documentation. Three former players.”
“Yeah.”
“That’s a lot of people he hurt.”
