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Checking my wristwatch, I realized it was past 9 am. A feeling of dread suddenly settled upon my chest. I was usually at work by then, but I could afford to be a little late—I was my own boss, after all—but not too late as I had patients waiting on me. I quickly dialed my sister Claire’s number. The dial tone was nearing its end when she picked up and said ‘hello’ with a smooth voice.
“Hey, best sis in the world.”
“Nuh-uh. What is it that you want now?”
“Ouch. What do you mean?” I said in mock hurt. My sister and I were pretty close. Our family was a closely knit one, and even as we got older, nothing changed. They were there for me when Dana died. Mom even offered to look after the girls, but I knew they’d be a reminder of what I’d lost, so I let Malory take them.
“Well. You do want something, don’t you? I know that ‘best sis in the world’ tone.”
I sighed in defeat and whipped around to look at my daughters, who were happily wolfing down the cereal.
“I need your help.”
“Yup, said it. Out with it then.”
“I need you to come stay with the girls while I go to work,” I said. “Only for a while. Please, I can’t leave them by themselv—”
“I’ll be there in thirty.”
“Thank you, sis. What would I do without you?”
“Damn right,” she chirped in fake mock.
By the time the brisk sound of heels on tile alerted me to her presence, I was dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers, and I had successfully worked myself into an impatient mess.
“Hello, brother of mine. You look rough,” she said in a bored tone as she flung her shoulder bag unto the nearest couch. “I still can’t get over this interior. I wonder why Dana let you keep this ugly and overwhelmingly masculine couch. You have young girls here now; you should consider redecorating.”
I was working up a smart-mouthed remark when a loud squeal rudely interrupted. Giggling, Rose ran into the room and wrapped her hands around Claire.
“Aunt Claire. I missed you.”
“Aw. I missed you too, my darling. You were only this tall the last time I saw you girls,” Claire said, holding her hand up. “Where’s your sister?”
I looked around to see Aurora fiddling with the hem of her dress at the foot of the stairs. Claire walked towards her with a big smile.
“And here’s my beautiful favorite niece.”
A small smile made its way to Aurora’s face when Claire caught her in a bone-crushing hug.
“Hello, Aunt Claire,” she said in a voice barely above a whisper.
“Alright then. I’ll leave you guys to it.” I grabbed my bag and rushed out of the house. I was almost at my car when I remembered something. I grabbed my wallet and raced back into the large white house. Claire’s heels were off and neatly kept against the wall at the entrance. She sat on the couch while Rose sprawled beside her with her head hanging in Claire’s lap. Aurora wiggled into her lap, and the trio appeared to be having a serious discussion.
“Hey. Here’s my wallet, in case y’all need to buy anything. You know where the car keys are, just in case you don’t want to take yours. Their booster seats are right over there,” I said, pointing to a corner of the large living room. I ran my hand through my hair as I tried to figure out if I didn’t forget something.
“We’ll be fine, Adrian. I got this,” Claire said reassuringly. “People are waiting on you.”
“Yeah, right. Thanks, Claire.”
I hurried to their side and gave both girls light pecks on their cheeks, making them giggle like crazy.
“I love you, snowflakes.”
“We love you too, Daddy.”
“Be good,” I called out as I raced back to my car.
I walkedinto Vitality Clinic at quarter past ten. “Dr. Black, we have a code blue in room 501.”
