Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 260(@200wpm)___ 208(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 260(@200wpm)___ 208(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Fuck me. I swear to Christ if this bitch starts some shit in our office, not even her last name will save her from the wrath I’ll send her way. Her father may be on the board at the hospital, but I’ve got more money than he does. I’ve also got a brotherhood that has no problem stepping in to take care of a problem.
“Good morning.” I nod my head at the duo. Realization hits Gallo, but he’s got a poker face much like me.
“Morning, ladies, are the rooms ready?” he asks with professionalism. Those two are going to be a problem. We’ve talked about it before. It was harmless then, but the gleam in Nadine’s eyes and the sickly-sweet smile Marissa has on her face sets alarm bells off.
“Good morning, Doctor Camden, Doctor Gallo,” Marissa lays it on thick.
“Good morning. The rooms are ready and Doctor Camden, you have a no-show, no-call,” another nurse, Susan, who’s stepped into Lennie’s role with an ease I didn’t expect, says, interrupting the conversation.
“If you’ll excuse me.” I move to the side. “Susan, will you show me the schedule?” It’s a shit thing to do, leaving Gallo with the vipers. He’ll pay me back in some way, and I’ll be more than ready.
12
SHAE
“Shaelynn Parker,” my name is called in the waiting room. I’m surrounded by women of all ages from the youthful to the elderly. It seems we’re all here for different reasons. My thoughts have officially gone haywire with the news I’ll be receiving today.
I stand up, wishing Lennie were here, but since that’s near to impossible given her state of pregnancy and her protective husband, that’s unlikely to happen. Luke even mentioned he’d be surprised to see her back at work, but I think he’ll be in for a shock. She’s independent to a fault, and while I know she’ll love and dote on her babies every waking moment, she’s hinted at working part-time at the very least.
“Hi,” I say to whom I know is a medical assistant. The badge clipped to her scrub top should state her name, but it’s flipped over and only shows the clinic name.
“Come this way, please.” Her words come off abrasive, and while I’d usually be annoyed, it is still early in the day. Maybe she hasn’t had her coffee or something. I know how I am without some type of caffeine.
We head to the scale, where I hear a light snicker coming from behind me. It’s on the tip of my tongue to say something, but I think better of it when another assistant walks past her. She then has me sit down, takes my blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature. Through it all, she stays quiet, and I’m still unable to see her badge to put her face with a name.
“Your blood pressure is a little higher than it should be. Are you worried about your results?” What an odd fucking thing to say out loud in the open area where I’ve never once had to discuss anything like this. It’s also very peculiar, considering the last time I was here, these things weren’t done in a small alcove, and Lennie definitely didn’t say anything until we were in a room.
“What’s your name?” I ask instead, choosing not to speak on what she has to say. I’m beginning to think this person either has a chip on her shoulder and takes it out on the world or she doesn’t particularly care for me.
“Oh, I’m Marissa.” Interestingly enough, she fixes her badge without me asking or looking at where it’s attached.
“Thanks,” I reply, standing up, done with the way she’s acting around me. I’m a human being. I’m also an adult and don’t need to feel like I’m being talked down to.
“Sure thing,” she says with fakeness. Hopefully, this will be my only time having to deal with her. Well, minus coming back once a year for a woman’s physical. Doctor Gallo reiterated the news to me multiple times, and especially after he found the cyst.
We meander through the halls, walking by closed patient rooms. A couple of nurses are in the hall at a laptop stand. They glance my way, sending me a quick smile before returning to their work. I almost feel like I’m walking the plank with each step we take. Up until this time, I’ve remained optimistic, but now that I’m here, a dreadful sensation takes hold, making me think the absolute worst. The what-ifs plague my mind.
What if it’s cancer?
What if I can’t have children?
What if Luke wants them, and this is a deal breaker?
What if the world ends tomorrow, and I’m worrying about nothing?
What if I have nothing to worry about?
The minute I walk through the door, I think nothing of ignoring Marissa. I’m too in my head and need a moment to myself.