Page 184 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

Jamie laughing so hard telling me about Liam's latest prank…

Without warning, I smile again. "Oh, dear," I mutter under my breath.

Mrs. Alvarez doesn't even look up from across the station.

"I heard that."

"I wasn't talking to you."

"No."

A tiny smile touches her lips. "I suspect you weren't."

The morning passes in a blur of evaluations and follow-up appointments.

A high-school soccer player is recovering from ACL surgery.

A retired teacher is determined to walk without a cane before her granddaughter's wedding.

A construction worker who is convinced he can return to work two weeks ahead of schedule.

Different injuries. Same lesson.

Healing cannot be rushed.

By noon I finally have a moment to breathe. I carry my lunch into the little staff lounge, grateful for ten uninterrupted minutes. The microwave hums quietly while I finger through the staff mailboxes and find mine. It has the usual stuff: this month’s hospital newsletter, a general parking reminder, notice of an upcoming volunteer appreciation dinner. Nothing urgent.

I almost miss the large white envelope buried underneath all the fliers and notices. I had forgotten that this would soon be here.

Hawthorne University School of Medicine

Office of Clinical Education

Riverton ….

My smile disappears as I open and read.

Clinical Placement Assignment

Congratulations, your final advanced clinical rotation has been assigned.

Northwest Regional Medical Center

Boise, Idaho

Rotation begins Monday, March 16.

Mandatory orientation Sunday evening prior.

Housing assignment attached.

Travel itinerary to follow.

Expected duration: Eight weeks.

I read it once, then again.

My eyes return to the same words.