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“Yes, Daddy.”
“Yeah. That’s the one there. Do you want me to send you some money to keep busy until I’m ready?”
“No. Mason and I are going to visit Mom. She wants to spend some time with us. I guess we’ll leave there and come straight to you.”
“Bet. See you in a few.”
“I love you.”
“I love you back, Nay.”
Simultaneously, we ended the call. Hearing her voice left a smile on my face and joy in my soul. Better days were always obtainable with her in the mix. She was the reason my latest decision was so simple. Nature didn’t have to voice her concerns a thousand times for me to hear her loud and clear.
Her comfort with Christina just feet away from me each day had everything to do with the trust she was gaining for me, but I knew for a fact it was a struggle for her. To alleviate her stress and worry, I knew that it was imperative that I removed Christina from my payroll. Our time together at the office was coming to an end.
Nature’s comfortability was my greatest concern and I’d tweak every section of my life until she could love me freely without those little voices in the back of her head promising heartache. Without a doubt, I knew she’d do the same for me. In fact, she had. I wasn’t above alterations. Tailoring our lives to better accommodate one another’s wishes, desires, boundaries, and worries was the key to the solid foundation we’d just discussed.
I walked through the office, ready to end my day so that I could climb under the sheets and listen to the fire wood crackle as Nature went on about the day she’d had with Mason while I sulked because of my absence. S’mores. Reruns. New action movies. Love stories. New chapters in her latest book. Silly family pictures. I was anxious for it all.
“Dr. Domino, Dr. West is wondering if he can push your observation back for a day next week, preferably after Tuesday. He’s adamant that you don’t need to visit the hospital today because he won’t be there.”
“For his patients, but I still have to see patients of my own, or have you forgotten?”
“Right.”
“I won’t be there long, but there are two new admissions that I’d like to spend some time with and then I’m cutting out for the day.”
“Alright. I’ll let him know.”
“Christina.”
“Yeah?”
Her chest swelled as she looked at me with wandering eyes, waiting for me to say something that was beyond business and that she could cling. A little fix. That was what she needed after so much silence since Nature and I decided to work our shit out, but I couldn’t give that to her.
“You’ll receive an email shortly. It’s scheduled for… it’ll be in your inbox within the next twenty minutes.”
“Okay, is it something that I need to ad—”
“It’s in regard to your termination.”
“Ter—I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”
“Things between us… they never should’ve happened. You’re a superior employee but we crossed lines that we can’t return from. It is affecting our employee-employer relationship. Unfortunately, your time here has come to an end. I have a few colleagues that could use an employee with your work ethic and knowledge. It’s no longer an asset of mine, but more of a liability.”
“Dr. Domino, are you really serious right now?”
“Yes. I am.” Nodding, I confirmed.
“So, because we had sex, I can no longer work here?”
“Because we had sex, you can’t separate business hours from personal hours, and you’ve made it your business to make contact with me unnecessarily on numerous occasion since I put an end to things, and—I’m sorry, I feel like I’m explaining myself too much right now. We both know why this won’t work out here. The work relationship has been tarnished and it’s affecting the work you do here in the office. We’ve both noticed the change in the last few weeks.”
“After shutting down your schedule at a moment’s notice?”
“That’s why I have my own practice, so that I can practice following my own rules and living my life, Christina, answering to you and no one else. From Monday until Wednesday, you walked around with a chip on your shoulder and we know it had absolutely nothing to do with me needing to take an emergency leave. I’m done with this conversation. Check your email in a few. I’m heading to the hospital to do my rounds.”
I didn’t wait for a response before tapping the button on the elevator and heading downstairs. The walk to the hospital was only eight minutes and I could complete it in six. Seeing the patients’ lives I was making a difference in was one of the highlights of my day. Being their personal advocates was my life’s path and I felt as though I was doing a damn good job, leaving my footprints in the process.
