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“Hello,” I answer, grabbing Dizzy’s leash that’s wrapped around the handle of the coat closet in the hall.
“Harmony Mayson?” a woman asks, and I frown.
“Yes.”
“Hi, this is Julianne Drudgery. I teach the trauma and critical care class at the hospital.”
“Hi, Julianne,” I say, looking down at Dizzy, who’s waiting impatiently for me to hook his leash to his collar.
“I just had a student drop out of the class and wanted to know if you’d be interested in filling her spot. Of course, you’d have to make up a couple of assignments, but it shouldn’t take much to get you caught up.”
“Really?” I whisper in surprise and happiness.
“Really.” She laughs. “Are you interested?”
“Yes!”
I hear her smile when she murmurs, “That’s great news. Can you come by the hospital today to pick up the paperwork you need to fill out and the assignments to complete by class next week?”
“Absolutely.”
“Good, just come to the basement. You’ll see a sign directing you to the classroom as soon as you get off the elevator. I’ll see you when you get here, and we’ll talk then.”
“Thank you so much. See you soon.” I hang up.
Staring at my phone for a moment, I smile then toss my hands up in the air and let out a loud whoop. Dizzy barks, spinning in circles at my feet, happy because I’m happy. Picking him up, I hold him to my chest. “I’m sorry, boy, but since I gotta go to the hospital, you can’t come with me.” I kiss the top of his head and he licks my chin. “Don’t worry. I’ll bring you back something special from the store.” I rub behind his ears then set him back to his feet.
Hanging his leash back up on the knob, I head for the door, feeling like I’m floating on air. Getting in my car, I start it up, back out of my driveway, and head straight for the hospital. When I arrive twenty minutes later, I get in the elevator and head down to the basement, and just like Julianne said there would be, there’s a sign with an arrow pointing to the classroom that’s at the end of a long hall. When I reach the door, I find the lights out and the door locked.
“Harmony?” a woman calls loudly, and I turn to find a petite, older woman with lots of curly white hair coming toward me from down the hall, wearing bright blue scrubs and white clogs.
“Yes.”
“Sorry, I had to run upstairs.” She comes forward and sticks out her hand to me. “I’m Julianne. It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you too.” I smile while I wrap my hand around hers.
“Dr. Hofstadter said you were pretty. He didn’t lie,” she says, and the smile I’m wearing slides right off my face.
“Dr. Hofstadter?” I ask, and her head tips to the side.
“He’s the one who recommended you as the replacement student for the class,” she explains, and my stomach drops.
“Oh,” I whisper, wondering how he knew I wanted to take the class. We never spoke about it, and I never even mentioned I want to work in the emergency room when I was around him.
“Isn’t he such a nice guy?” she asks, keeping hold of my hand, and I try to focus on her and not the unease filling my stomach.
“Uh, yeah. Nice,” I agree, and she grins.
“Well…” She gives my hand a squeeze before letting it go. “You’ll have to take him out for coffee as a thank you for the recommendation.” She turns and unlocks the door, and I stare at her back, thinking, That is never going to happen. “Come on in,” she calls, and I come unglued from my spot just outside the door and move into the room behind her. Looking around the empty class, my stomach turns with indecision. I know I don’t want to miss out on this opportunity, but I also don’t want to owe Dr. Hofstadter anything, and I have a feeling that if I take this class, I will be setting myself up for just that.
“Here’s the paperwork and the reading material we went over this week, along with the homework assignments you will have to complete before class starts next week.” She holds out a thick folder toward me, and I stare at it like it’s a snake ready to strike. “Are you okay?”
“Um… yeah, sorry.” I shake my head and take the folder from her, trying to smile but failing miserably.
“It’s okay.” She gives my shoulder a reassuring pat. “Class is from ten to four on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, every week for nine weeks. In your case, eight, since you missed out on class this week.”
“Okay.”
“If you have any questions, my cell number is in the packet. You can call me any time, and I’ll be more than happy to help you out with whatever you might need.”
