AllFreeNovel
Share Us
- REALITY CHECK
ADRIAN BLACK
Vitality Clinic. It was my home away from home.
Truth is, I spent more time there than anywhere else. It was the only place where I felt like I was doing something that mattered. And since Dana’s demise, the only place my demons seemed to cower from. Being thirty, widowed, and a father to two adorable kids, my life had definitely become a roller coaster.
Vitality Clinic was my escape. When I started it seven years ago, after I graduated from med school and finally got my license, I didn’t know how much of a success it would become. But I worked really hard for my dream of a hospital where all human life was treated as equally important, and down the road, my hard work finally started to pay off. My dream was conceived from seeing conglomerates and wealthy people in the health industry prioritizing the business aspect above the core principles of owning a hospital, making healthcare unaffordable for most people. Luckily for me, my millionaire parents were supportive and invested a large chunk into making it possible.
After losing my wife, I was on the brink of ending it all, but Vitality leaped to my rescue once again. I sunk myself into work and barely had time on my hands to wallow in self-pity.
The past few months had been surprisingly calm, but even that made me agitated. I had been dealt enough blows by fate to know that every calm is a predecessor to a rough storm. I had just returned from my morning ward rounds, and everything was alright. I went to the mini fridge in one corner of the office and grabbed a bottle of water. The bottle crinkled as I uncapped it and took a few sips of the cold liquid.
The shrill ring of my phone jabbed through my little thinking bubble. A glance at the phone showed it was Malory, Dana’s mom.
“Hello, Mom—”
“Doctor Black. This is Amanda. Malory’s neighbor. She passed out, and we called an ambulance. We couldn’t find Sammy’s contact information.”
My heart pounded against my ribs. Her voice shook in what I assumed was fright. I broke out in a cold sweat as I tried to gather my thoughts. Freaking out is a behavior unbecoming of a doctor, but that did nothing to assuage my fears. I guess losing someone important would do that to anyone, doctor or not.
“Is she breathing?”
“It appears so.”
Shit!
“Okay, Amanda, I need you to lay her on her back. When did you call the ambulance?”
“Say, ten minutes ago. I wonder why they are not yet here.”
“They should be there soon. Give the phone to Rose, please.”
“Dad. This is Rose. Granny is on the floor. She’s not moving.”
“Calm down. Tell me what happened.”
“She said she felt weak when she made breakfast and kept dropping the spoon. Aurora and I were in the room when we heard a sound. When we rushed to the kitchen, Granny was on the floor.”
I heard sobbing in the background.
“Okay, so I want you to listen to me carefully. Amanda has called some people who can help your granny and will be there soon. So, I need you girls to go with her. I promise I will be there as soon as I can. Okay?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Where’s your sister?”
“She’s not speaking to me. She’s crying and looking out the window.”
I heaved a sigh, shrugged off my pristine white overalls, and grabbed my car keys. “Darling, I need you to stay calm. Okay? And hold your sister’s hand. I’ll call Aunt Sammy, alright?”
“Okay, Daddy.”
A proud smile crept across my face at how she handled the situation, but it disappeared as soon as it appeared. I dropped the call and hurried out of my office. Judging by the symptoms Rose described, Malory was most likely suffering from a stroke, and time was of the essence.
I dialed my sister-in-law Sammy’s number, and she picked up on the third ring.
“Adrian, to what do I owe this pleasant surprise?”
