Read Online The Exception to the Rule by Beth Rinyu - Free Book Online Page B

smile, not wanting to interrupt his conversation. He immediately stopped talking to acknowledge my presence. I introduced Julian to Charles as Julian introduced us to the three doctors that he had been speaking to. The two older doctors were pediatric oncologists from France. They spoke perfect English. The younger one was a pediatrician from England. Charles jumped right into the conversation. He was clearly in his element being around all of these medical professionals from around the world. I, on the other hand, was not. I excused myself and told Charles I would meet him in the cafeteria. 
    “Hey Kat,” Julian yelled, running toward me.
    “Yeah,” I answered, turning around.
    “Those two doctors from France have a surgeon lined up to operate on Rapula and Tau.” There was sheer excitement in his voice. “They’re here working on the funding to fly them to France so they can do the operation.” 
    “Wow, that’s great!” I answered.
    “I just have to check on them tomorrow and maybe do another round of chemo.” I could see the happiness on his face.
    “I still say they wouldn’t have made it this far if it weren’t for you,” I said sincerely.
    “Did you want to go with me again tomorrow? I’m leaving early in the morning,” he asked, trying to avoid my compliment.
    “Sure!” I instantly blurted out. I just couldn’t say no seeing the eagerness in his eyes. It didn’t even matter that tomorrow was my much-needed day off.
    “Okay, be ready by seven,” he yelled as he walked backwards toward the others in the group.
    I smiled thinking about the enthusiasm on his face. He was beaming when he told me the news. This was his world. He existed just to be a doctor and nothing else. This again made me feel a little inadequate for not doing the same. After my excitement for Julian finally wore off a bit, it dawned on me that tomorrow was my phone call to my dad. I was unsure if I would be back in time to reach him, so I decided that I would check in with him after dinner.
     
    * * * * *
     
     “Kat, really, you need to start eating more,” Charles said, looking at just a small spoonful of what was supposed to be pasta primavera on my plate. 
    “I am,” I said, pointing to the two large chocolate chip cookies on the napkin beside it. Charles shook his head at me in disapproval, again, so much like my dad would have.
    “So, what’s at seven tomorrow?” he asked inquisitively.
    “What?” I said, playing dumb while dumb taking a sip of water. I hadn’t even realized that Charles was paying attention to my conversation with Julian.
    “Julian told you to be ready by seven,” he clarified.
    “Oh that.” I filled him on what was going on with the two boys. I explained to him that Julian had asked me to come along with him while he checked on them. 
    “Isn’t tomorrow your day off?” he asked again in a fatherly tone.
    “Geez, are we still eating breakfast, or am I just having a déjà vu?” I asked jokingly. “Charles, I’m fine. Did you ever think maybe this is a great learning experience for me?” I asked in a more serious tone.
    “You’re a smart girl. I just remember how hard it was for Claire and me,” he said.
    “What are you talking about?” I said, stunned. “You and Claire are one of the happiest couples I know.”
    “Oh, now we are, sure, but not when we first were married,” he replied. 
    He began to tell me about when he and Claire were first married. He was just finishing up his residency and Claire was a second grade teacher. They thought they could handle the craziness that comes along with being a doctor. They couldn’t, and it finally took its toll on Claire. They separated for almost a year, until he got into a practice and his schedule started becoming a little more consistent. 
    “Wow,” was all I could say. I was shocked. Claire had never mentioned that to me and we talked about everything.
    “You know, they say the only thing harder than being a doctor is