Page 33 of Doctor Knows Best


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“Five seconds,” she promised, arranging six sheets of paper in alphabetical order on the corkboard.

When she walked away, the board was swarmed as students looked for their names followed by institutions.

Jason’s classmate from Philadelphia called out, “Karas! Philadelphia!”

Everyone turned and applauded, a residency at Philadelphia Medical Center was a coveted spot, even if it wasn’t his first choice.

“I thought you wanted to stay in Detroit,” a fellow classmate said.

“It was my first choice,” Jason said, numb. “I guess fate has something else in mind.”

Walking away from the melee, Jason didn’t stop, heading right for the bus kiosk. Spring was in the air, the wet tang of melted snow still evident even after it had completely melted. Match Day was considered one of the most important milestones in a doctor’s life, but his mind was on Lily, morning, noon, and night.

The Monday following Herbert’s death after Christmas, when Jason got home from working at the garage, Lily’s car was gone. He sat in his car and dialed her number.

“What is it, Jason?” she snapped, shocking him.

“I’m sorry to bother you,” he said. “I just got home from work, and your car is gone. I’m just calling to make sure it didn’t get stolen.”

He heard her sigh. “I’m sorry. Annie brought me over so I could get it this morning. I got my things out of your apartment, Jason, and left the key on the table.”

“Lily, why? I don’t understand. Breaking up with me isn’t going to bring your father back. It’s not your fault that Herbert died.”

“I know that. I just think we jumped in too fast. I want to help my mom out. It’s just the way things have to be.”

“Well, I’m crushed,” he said. “I love you, Lily. You are the love of my life.”

“Goodbye, Jason. Don’t call me again.”

With that, she hung up. Stunned, somehow Jason got out of his car and up to his apartment and got into bed fully dressed, where he stayed for the next three days.

Now, three months later, he was still heartbroken, still grieving. He looked north, about where the law school was from where he was standing. As soon as he’d heard the word Philadelphia, he thought of Lily, thought of moving without her, and it was crushing. He wasn’t naïve enough to think she’d appreciate a call from him, so it was one more step in the process of severing all ties with her.

The bus arrived, and he climbed on as usual, seeing everything as if through a fog. His family was furious when they discovered Lily had broken up with him and how she’d done it.

“I told Jason I didn’t see him with Lily. She was pathologically antisocial in high school,” Ted said, seething.

“Scott heard security wouldn’t let Jason in to the funeral,” Maria said, and that was all the news the Karases needed to stand in defense of their son.

“All I have to do is get through the next three months until graduation, and then I’m home free,” Jason confessed to his friend Paul. “I hope once I’m out of Detroit with a change of scene, I’ll stop thinking about her.”

Paul had convinced Jason to play darts at a local pub in Corktown, the first time since winter break that he consented to go out with the guys for a beer.

“Jason, you should try to contact her one more time. At least let her know you’re leaving. Give the girl that much.”

“She’ll just tell me to never call her again and then hang up on me,” Jason said.

Across town, in a dive bar near the law school, Lily Fairchild sat with her classmates, debating a case for a mock trial, one of the last they’d have before graduation. Lily tore into her opponent, the wrath of misplaced anger fueling her.

“Take it easy, Fairchild,” one of the group said. “This is just for fun.”

“What’s fun?” she asked seriously, glaring at him. “I don’t do fun.”

Graduation came and went, and neither Lily nor Jason contacted the other. Lily didn’t allow herself to think about Jason, and Jason, his heartbreak still raw, fought any thoughts of her as the time to move to the East Coast grew close.

The entire Karas family was going to make a trip to Philadelphia during their summer vacation. Jason found an apartment near the hospital in a hip and trendy if not slightly downtrodden part of town, with inhabitants including other medical residents, students and nurses. The family did all the sights, the art museum, South Philly restaurants, and Penn’s Landing festivals.

Jason’s residency started on July first, so they soon said goodbye to him, John and Poppy overcome with sadness that their firstborn wasn’t going to be part of their daily lives any longer.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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