Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 48187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 241(@200wpm)___ 193(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
“Ummm, Dr. Venable?”
“Yep,” I say, not looking up at her.
“She left.”
This grabs my attention. I snap my head up. “What?”
“Lauren left.”
I grit my teeth through the rest of my assessment before ordering an X-ray. Then, I storm over to find Lin at the nurse’s station.
“Who cleared her to leave?” I growl.
She holds up both palms in defense. “Her dad showed up. Dr. Wilkins went to meet with him when her father started throwing a fit. Wilkins prescribed her antibiotics and discharged her.”
“Before or after the ultrasound?”
“Before. She would’ve still been waiting for that at least two more hours.”
I run my fingers through my hair and then pull out my phone.
Me: You left? Really?
She responds immediately.
Lauren: It’s technically the next day. I stayed overnight. I’m going to make an appointment with my doctor tomorrow.
Me: That was really stupid. You’re sick.
Lauren: Fuck you too.
With a huff of frustration, I stuff my phone back in my pocket. “Where’s my next patient?”
Lin points to triage six and I storm away. There’s no point in getting pissy now. She’s gone and my shift won’t be over for a few more hours.
Two weeks later…
“You should have bought my car from me. It’s time for an upgrade,” Morris taunts, driving me up a fucking wall.
“My daughter doesn’t need your sex trap car.” I give him a pointed look. “She’d get pregnant just sitting in it.”
“She’s already pregnant and that had nothing to do with me.” He snorts. “If I didn’t think that new husband of hers wouldn’t gut me, I’d try to get her in my car just to piss you off.”
“I’ll gut you with the pen in your pocket, motherfucker. Me. Not Enzo. Your superior.”
The asshole laughs so hard he chokes.
I’m not as amused. I’ve got a lot of shit on my mind lately. Jenna recently decided to commit a felony, get pregnant, and get married all in the span of a few weeks. To top that off, I’m trying my hand at fostering. All for my daughter. I’d do anything for her. And I’ll continue to do so.
But that’s a story for another day…
Today, my mind is pulled in one direction.
Lauren.
I know I pissed her off when we texted a couple of weeks ago because she’s since stopped responding. Now that I’ve cooled off, my anger is replaced by worry. I’m off tonight, so I’ll go try and talk to her in person.
My phone buzzes, but I can’t answer it because triage goes wild with activity. A city bus side swiped a row of cars and now we have people piling into the ER with various injuries. Morris and I fall into action, treating everything from scrapes on the head from hitting the window to possible broken necks.
Hours go by and my phone rings a few more times. When my shift ends, I check my phone to see Mom’s been trying to get ahold of me. I slip into the break room and dial her back.
“Hey,” I say in greeting. “Everything okay?”
“I’d be happier if you’d answer your phone the first time.”
“I’m at work, Mother.”
“You must have been dealing with that accident that was all over the news, hmm?”
“Yep.” I scrub my palm over my face. “What do you need?”
“I wanted you to confirm that you and Jenna will be over on Sunday.”
“Sunday?”
A sigh of exasperation rattles through the line. “I’ll allow you a moment to think, son.”
“Mom…” I’m really fucking tired and don’t have time for this shit.
“It’s Mother’s Day,” she huffs. “You asked Jenna, right?”
Well, fuck.
“I forgot, but I will. I’m sorry.”
“You’re normally my extremely responsible son, so I’ll forgive you this time.” She chuckles. “Hopefully your shift ends soon so you can get some rest. You clearly need it.”
“I’ll be there whether Jenna can make it or not. Should I bring anything?”
“A daughter-in-law would be nice.”
Here we go. “Mom…”
“I’m teasing.”
She’s not.
“Right. I’ll see you Sunday. Love you,” I say quickly and hang up before she can take me on another guilt trip.
I text Jenna before I forget.
Me: Hey, sweetheart. Your grandma wants us over Sunday for Mother’s Day.
Her response is immediate.
Jenna: Oh darn! I didn’t realize we had plans, so I told Enzo I’d go with him to eat with his parents. I’m sorry.
Me: No worries. I’ll let her know. Love you.
Jenna: Love you too, Dad.
My heart swells. Every time I hear “Dad,” it blows my mind. I’m a father and will soon be a grandfather in less than a year’s time. Funny how life can change in the blink of an eye.
I haven’t tried to text Lauren in a couple of days because I’ve been busy as hell, so I decide now’s a better time than any. I don’t expect a response.
Me: How did your appointment go?
Lauren: Fine.
Rather than firing off a million questions like I want, I head out of the chaos to my midnight black Audi R8 coupe. Sure, Morris has the awesome ass Porsche, but my Audi will always be my baby. I loved it so much, I got Jenna one too. Hers has two more doors than mine. She’s going to need them.