cheesesteak shop. A woman of sixty, with auburn hair and dazzling green eyes, was already seated at the counter. Ward stooped and kissed her cheek.
Dr. Jeannie Bennett stood and wrapped her arms around Ward in a gentle hug. They were just about the same height, a few inches taller than average, and about the same build, but somehow Jeannie’s presence seemed larger. “Sit. I ordered for you,” she commanded.
“How’d you know what I want?” Ward asked as she folded her coat and sat on it.
“You don’t have many options, dear. So tell me how you are.” Jeannie swiveled on her seat and faced Ward.
Ward spent a few minutes trying to convince her old mentor that she was doing well, but the skeptical look on Jeannie’s face told Ward she wasn’t a great actress.
“Well, the good news is, this company you’ll be working for is quite reputable. I checked with a few colleagues, and they all thought the doctors they hire are skilled and competent. So, at least you won’t destroy your reputation while you’re off on your adventure.”
Ward patted Jeannie’s back. “I’m giving it six months, Jeannie. If she’s not ready to commit by then, I’m coming home.”
Their food arrived, and both of them dove in. “Tell me your plans,” Jeannie said after chewing and swallowing and wiping sauce from her mouth.
“I have a meeting today at four with the HR person, where I’ll get my ID badge and orientation and all that jazz. Computer passwords, policy manuals, you know the drill. I start work tomorrow morning.”
“You ER docs don’t know the meaning of the word Saturday, do you?” Jeannie deadpanned.
Ward smiled through the cheesesteak she was chewing, knowing well that most doctors, Jeannie included, had worked their share of weekends.
“So you’ll be there for the whole month?”
Ward cleared her throat. “Yes, I signed up for five months with the locum tenens company. I’ll spend a month at five different hospitals, all of them in the mountains, and then I’m taking August off. I’ll start back here in September.”
“Well, you’re a skilled physician, Ward. You should be able to handle the medicine. My concern is your heart. How will you handle seeing Jess?”
Ward forced a smile. “I have to do this, Jeannie. Maybe it’ll work out, and maybe not. But if I don’t give it a chance, I’ll never know, right?”
Jeannie looked skeptical as she chewed, and Ward spoke again, trying to convince Jeannie. Perhaps she was talking to herself, as well, trying to fortify her doubts. “I know you don’t like her, Jeannie, but have you ever thought about Jess? What she’s going through? She lost her mom, and she’s unsure of her future. Of everything. I’m sure she feels awful.”
“To answer your question, no. I haven’t thought about her. We all lose our mothers one day, and it sucks. But you don’t do this to someone you love. She could have seen a therapist, or taken some time off—”
“That’s exactly what she’s doing. She took some time to figure it out. I can’t blame her for that.”
“She’s hurting you,” Jeannie said softly, but then quickly changed the subject. “Anyway, I’m not here to preach,” she said, and handed Ward a large mailing envelope.
Ward took it and read the words lake house printed on the front.
“It’s self-explanatory. Directions, keys, alarm code, cable instructions, local restaurants, and shopping. All your questions should be answered when you read this.”
Ward smiled. “I really appreciate this, you know.”
Jeannie waved her hand dismissively. “I’m happy the house will get used. Bobby’s the only one who spends time there these days, and since he travels so much for his job, his time is limited. But if you come home to find a tall, incredibly handsome young man who looks just like me, that’s my son. I’ll try to warn you if he’s coming, or if anyone else is, but for the most part, you should have the place to
Dr. Jeannie Bennett stood and wrapped her arms around Ward in a gentle hug. They were just about the same height, a few inches taller than average, and about the same build, but somehow Jeannie’s presence seemed larger. “Sit. I ordered for you,” she commanded.
“How’d you know what I want?” Ward asked as she folded her coat and sat on it.
“You don’t have many options, dear. So tell me how you are.” Jeannie swiveled on her seat and faced Ward.
Ward spent a few minutes trying to convince her old mentor that she was doing well, but the skeptical look on Jeannie’s face told Ward she wasn’t a great actress.
“Well, the good news is, this company you’ll be working for is quite reputable. I checked with a few colleagues, and they all thought the doctors they hire are skilled and competent. So, at least you won’t destroy your reputation while you’re off on your adventure.”
Ward patted Jeannie’s back. “I’m giving it six months, Jeannie. If she’s not ready to commit by then, I’m coming home.”
Their food arrived, and both of them dove in. “Tell me your plans,” Jeannie said after chewing and swallowing and wiping sauce from her mouth.
“I have a meeting today at four with the HR person, where I’ll get my ID badge and orientation and all that jazz. Computer passwords, policy manuals, you know the drill. I start work tomorrow morning.”
“You ER docs don’t know the meaning of the word Saturday, do you?” Jeannie deadpanned.
Ward smiled through the cheesesteak she was chewing, knowing well that most doctors, Jeannie included, had worked their share of weekends.
“So you’ll be there for the whole month?”
Ward cleared her throat. “Yes, I signed up for five months with the locum tenens company. I’ll spend a month at five different hospitals, all of them in the mountains, and then I’m taking August off. I’ll start back here in September.”
“Well, you’re a skilled physician, Ward. You should be able to handle the medicine. My concern is your heart. How will you handle seeing Jess?”
Ward forced a smile. “I have to do this, Jeannie. Maybe it’ll work out, and maybe not. But if I don’t give it a chance, I’ll never know, right?”
Jeannie looked skeptical as she chewed, and Ward spoke again, trying to convince Jeannie. Perhaps she was talking to herself, as well, trying to fortify her doubts. “I know you don’t like her, Jeannie, but have you ever thought about Jess? What she’s going through? She lost her mom, and she’s unsure of her future. Of everything. I’m sure she feels awful.”
“To answer your question, no. I haven’t thought about her. We all lose our mothers one day, and it sucks. But you don’t do this to someone you love. She could have seen a therapist, or taken some time off—”
“That’s exactly what she’s doing. She took some time to figure it out. I can’t blame her for that.”
“She’s hurting you,” Jeannie said softly, but then quickly changed the subject. “Anyway, I’m not here to preach,” she said, and handed Ward a large mailing envelope.
Ward took it and read the words lake house printed on the front.
“It’s self-explanatory. Directions, keys, alarm code, cable instructions, local restaurants, and shopping. All your questions should be answered when you read this.”
Ward smiled. “I really appreciate this, you know.”
Jeannie waved her hand dismissively. “I’m happy the house will get used. Bobby’s the only one who spends time there these days, and since he travels so much for his job, his time is limited. But if you come home to find a tall, incredibly handsome young man who looks just like me, that’s my son. I’ll try to warn you if he’s coming, or if anyone else is, but for the most part, you should have the place to
Similar Books
