Loved and Lost: Author's Edition by Stephanie E. Kusiak

Author:Stephanie E. Kusiak [Kusiak, Stephanie E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: DHP Creative
Published: 2019-06-29T17:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN

November 4, 2016

I'm putting stitches into the hand of a four-year-old boy when my phone chimes against my thigh. There's a twist of dread and lightness in my heart afterward because there's only one person who would be texting me to the chime that I heard.

It chimes again, and I direct my gaze to my patient's mother as she stares at my coat. I give her a wan smile.

"Hey, Bailey." I direct my attention to the young boy staring at me. "How're you doing kiddo?" He's drowsy from sedatives, but he's alert enough to focus on me and smile. "I'm almost done."

"Okay, it feels funny." He shakes his free hand.

I give him a bright smile, looping the suture with my forceps. "It kinda tickles, doesn't it?" He nods as I knot another stitch into place. "You're very brave. Your mother told me all about how you saved Ruby the Beagle."

"I love Ruby. The bad men were going to get her."

Apparently, Ruby was under attack by toy soldiers, and Bailey cut himself when he broke a window. Not exactly a brilliant tactical execution, but who am I to judge what people are willing to do in the name of love?

"Can you think of anyone who loves you as much as you love Ruby? Who wouldn't want to see you hurt?"

He looks over at his parents with what could possibly be the most confident expression I've ever seen. It isn't that look which catches and hooks my emotions, jangling my heart, but it's the look he's reciprocated with, the tender, honest, warm look in his mother's eyes.

I clear my throat, shaking the moment away.

"That's right, they do." I draw the final stitch into place and wrap the injury with a bandage.

"Now, promise me," I say holding up three fingers as he mimes me with his uninjured hand, "no more soldiers breaking through windows to save your dog." He nods, and I laugh lightly.

"Thank you, Doctor Fortier."

I stand quickly, snapping my gloves off so I can shake his parent's hands.

Bailey's mother eyes my pocket where my phone must be illuminated through the light coat.

"It's my pleasure. We'll get you released within the next thirty minutes or so. A nurse will be in to give you the release papers and prescriptions." I wave goodbye and let the mix of emotions from Rachel's text carry me through the curtain and into the break room down the hall. I'm grateful it's empty because I shut the door and lean against it as I pull my phone free. My breath is shaking as I stare down at the face.

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