Read Online Foundation for Three by Vella Day - Free Book Online Page B

over her shoulder. What the heck? The cafeteria was half empty, and yet Carson and Thompson had to sit right behind her? Really? She leaned over to pick up her purse when Thompson spoke up.
    “Tell me what happened, Avery. I’ve never seen you so upset.”
    She sat up again. Was he about to say something about Kara? If so, perhaps Zoey should leave. She would have done so right away, except that it might look a bit obvious if she moved to the other side of the cafeteria with her full tray.
    Liar. Her curiosity was piqued.

Chapter Seven

    Z oey had recently checked out Dr. Carson because Kara Molloy had alleged the man had not only sexually harassed her, he’d also made fun of the anesthetized patients and broken numerous operating room rules. It sucked Zoey couldn’t hear his side of the story. However, all was not lost. She had observed him when he wasn’t looking and had very subtly asked around about the man. Everyone said he had an aura about him that exuded confidence and sexuality.
    From his good posture, and with the way he was manscaped from head to nails, she bet he believed he could charm any woman he wanted. From what she’d heard in the break room, most women had already fallen under his spell.
    Zoey wasn’t into egocentric men. The images of Pete bending over the tub as he finished the bathroom remodel and Thad, as he held Garrett McDonald at gunpoint, flashed across her mind’s eye.
    “I lost a child yesterday,” Carson replied. “I’m still reeling.”
    He’d lost a child? Oh, no. That wasn’t what she thought he’d be speaking about. It was rude to eavesdrop, but there wasn’t enough noise in the room to block out Carson’s booming voice. His words finally registered, and a wave of depression filled her. A young death would break anyone’s heart.
    “Avery, man, I’m sorry, but stuff like that happens to the best. What happened exactly?” Dr. Thompson sounded sincere.
    “That’s the thing, I’m not even sure. It should have been a relatively routine operation. It was one I’d done many times. One minute everything’s going well, and the next the kid coded.”
    “Shit. How old was he?”
    “Three and change. Had a congenital heart defect. I tried my best, but in the end I was unable to save him.”
    Her heart went out to the child and his family. Years ago, she’d counseled a teenager who was suicidal. Nothing Zoey said seemed to have an effect on the girl. The teen’s classmates had bullied her until she couldn’t take it anymore, and despite Zoey’s efforts, Janet had taken her life. For weeks afterward, Zoey had grieved. She’d read and reread her notes to see what she could have done better. Her guilt was so strong that she’d consulted with another therapist. Dr. Claire Daniels told her that Zoey couldn’t expect to reach everyone, especially those who refused to listen. Though what Claire said made sense, a bit of the pain never quite went away.
    “That’s got to be tough.” Thompson’s voice interrupted Zoey’s thoughts.
    “You ever lose anyone, Ray?” Carson acted like Thompson didn’t understand.
    “No, I’ve been lucky. Cardiac arrest after a procedure is always a risk, though.” Neither said anything for a moment. “You’ve lost patients before. Why is this one so bad?”
    “He was a child .” Carson’s voice cracked. “The young boy’s parents were devastated. I’ve never seen such grief. I spent a long time with them, but nothing I said seemed to help.”
    Zoey’s eyes watered a bit. Janet’s parents had been inconsolable, too.
    “That’s horrible,” Thompson replied. “What was the cause of his death?”
    “Stroke.”
    Zoey couldn’t imagine a three-year old having a stroke. She associated that with the elderly.
    “How the hell did that happened?”
    Carson blew out an exaggerated breath. “I was repairing the hole. It was a bad one. This issue should have been taken care of soon after birth, but the parents waited. Too long in my