“I’M glad to hear you’re enjoying your time in Boston.” Gerard’s, my sponsor from AstroCore, voice comes through my phone. I’m in the apartment lobby with my cell tucked into my ear as I pace in a ten-foot-long oval. The rubber soles of my shoes squeak on the gleaming marble floor with each step.
I’d been on my way out to visit Piper’s clinic when Gerard unexpectedly called. He wants an update on where I’m at with my funding ideas for Prosthetics For Kids, and I just manage to distract him from asking too many questions by going on about how cool the city is.
“Yeah, it’s pretty great here. You should check it out sometime,” I say, voice a little too high, filling any gaps in our conversation that could open up room for inquiry. I just need to get through this freaking call without letting him know I don’t have anything new for him.
“I’ll actually be in town this week. I’ll have my administrator set up a meeting. I’m looking forward to hearing what you’ve come up with.”
What? “Ah…okay.”
“That will give you a few days to get your information in order. See you then,” Gerard says, and then the phone goes dead. I swear that man has a thing against saying goodbye.
The truth is, I’m not any more ready than I’d been the last time we spoke, and suddenly, all the time I’ve wasted curls in my stomach. I take a deep inhale, trying to get my breathing in hand. I need to do something… I can’t meet him…not until I have some kind of way to stall Gerard…until I have an actual plan.
Piper: Still coming?
I rub my palm down my face and shake the feeling of dread off me. There is nothing I can do to fix this right this second.
Me: Yup *smiley face* On my way.
I take a deep pull from my metal cup I’d filled with ice water. It’s early fall, and there’s a cool breeze, but the sun is still pounding down on me.
I follow the directions app on my phone and halt when I turn the corner and spot the clinic. It’s painted Pepto pink with large flower designs in deep greens and purples up the entire brick side. It looks bright and welcoming. The perfect spot for kids to come in the first hard months after surgery. There’s a rack on the side with several bikes lined up, some of which have special modifications that help make them adapted for someone who’s lost a limb.
There’s a chime of a bell as the glass front door opens, and Piper grins at me, her golden-blonde hair wrapping around her shoulders. She’s wearing seafoam-green scrubs and bright pink Crocs. “About time you made it. I thought I might have to send an SOS to one of the guys.”
My mouth pops open. “You wouldn’t.”
“Oh yeah I would. Are you forgetting what just happened?”
“You should’ve seen the fuss Alex and River put up when I said I’d be walking here.” They’d stopped by this morning before heading to practice and tried to insist I take an Uber as if that’s not a total waste of money. I heard them murmuring about skipping practice before I pushed them out of the door. Overprotective oafs. Not going to lie though, it was a little cute the way they fussed over it, and they didn’t actually do anything stupid like attempt to forbid me from walking. Probably because they know I’d kill them if they tried.
Piper laughs. “I’m honestly surprised one of them didn’t iTag you.”
“They wouldn’t.”
“Wouldn’t they?”
Shit. “I’ll talk to them.”
Piper nods. “Oh yeah, definitely have that talk. I suggest Find My Phone as an alternative.”
I cock my head. “Please tell me Lucas stalks you.”
She shrugs. “I like it.”
“Of course you do.” I roll my eyes, ignoring the hum of interest under my skin, wondering what it must feel like to know you’re someone’s entire world. “Alright, enough of that. Show me this place.”
Piper claps her hands and beams. “Oh my God, you’re going to love it.” She leads me into the brightly lit entry with a shiny white desk. There’s a young girl sitting there with a warm smile, and I give her a little wave.
“Reception. We try not to make them wait too long out here, but we’ve got toys and games. Sometimes kids need quiet when they come in, so we also have a sensory area around the corner with headphones and beanbags that swallow them whole.”
“Smart.” I nod, my eyes wide as I take everything in. She’s so connected to all the things that I want to be.
Piper grins and swings the glass door at the back open. “Here’s the good part.”
My mouth drops open when I step in. Unlike the sterile atmosphere of a hospital or normal rehab center, this place is designed with kids in mind. Just like the exterior, the walls are painted in bright colors, but instead of flowers, there is a giant rainbow that arches over the entire back wall.
The beams and equipment are all equally bright. I can’t stop the smile from curling my lips. “This place is amazing.”
“Piper. Is this your friend visiting from Ottawa?” A black woman with twisted back hair wearing bright fuchsia scrubs comes up to stand beside us.
“Yes. Dr. Jones, this is Dr. Mia Brooks, the girl I’ve been telling you about. I thought she’d like seeing this place.”
“Piper here has told me all about your charity. If there’s any way I can help, please let me know.” Her voice is smooth and friendly, and there’s a warm twinkle in her eyes. I’m not surprised she’s chosen to work with kids. She has such an easiness about her.
I shrug, trying not to make a big deal of it. “I’m giving it my best shot.”
“From what Piper’s said, you’ve done a fantastic job already.”
I shoot my treacherous friend a look. She knows how precarious my funding is, so I would not say a fantastic job. “I’m still working on some things, but I’m hopeful.”
Hopeful is probably not the right word, but at least I’m not a defeatist yet.
“How’s your internship going? I assume by your choice in extracurricular, you want to specialize in the field of pediatrics?”
I swallow hard and clench my back teeth as I blink away the sting in my eyes. “That’s the goal. Unfortunately, the hospital I was at had to downsize my position, so I’m currently without an internship.”
“Is that so?” Dr. Jones glances at Piper with one raised brow, and my friend nods at her enthusiastically. “I don’t have a spot open at the hospital, but I’d love to have you work here until we can find you one.”
The world tips, and I almost let out a giddy laugh. “Really?”
Her smile grows, showing off perfectly straight white teeth. “Really, really. I can rush the forms for an H-1B visa. With the doctor shortage, they’re pushing them through. Can you start next week?”
I shout, “Yes!” then lower my voice. “I mean, yes, I would love to.”
“That’s settled. Piper, go ahead and show her around.”
She walks me toward the back room, where there’s a kid of about fourteen walking on a treadmill. He has a prosthetic that goes all the way up to his thigh that’s decorated with different illustrated designs.
“Pretty cool, right?” The boy’s wearing a smirk. “Custom design. All One Piece and Demon Slayer.”
I mouth Demon Slayer, not quite sure how to respond to that.
“Robbie, this is Dr. Brooks. She’s new here,” Piper chimes in. She gestures to the prosthetic. “He’s here to make sure it fits. The designs are all anime. Don’t you know that’s the cool thing now?”
“Always been cool. One Piece is like one of the OG animes. It’s basically a masterpiece.” He’s quick to respond with that air of correctness only teens have. His stride is easy, and it’s clear he’s had his prosthetic for years.
He seems so genuinely interested that I can’t help but say, “I’ll check it out.”
“Shit, really?” His eyes are wide on me, completely ignoring Piper correcting his language.
I shrug. “Sure, but it better be as good as you say it is, or we’re going to have a chat.”
“Oh, don’t worry, it is.”
“So how’s the leg, Robbie?” Piper asks.
He hits stop on the treadmill, backing off and giving his leg a shake. “Nub’s fine. It’s a good fit.”
Piper bends down and checks the rim where it connects to his leg. “Why don’t you tell Dr. Brooks about yourself?” I like that Piper didn’t just give me the rundown for Robbie in front of him, like a doctor would in the hospital, instead making him a part of the conversation. I’ll definitely keep that in mind for the future when I’m working here. Holy shit! I’m going to work here.
“Ran over by a car when I was six. Had to get the ol’ choperoo. The rest is brutal history.”
I roll back on my heels, pretty sure he’s testing me. “Okay…but what about you? What grade are you in? How old are you? Play any sports?”
“Do I look like I play sports?”
I tilt my head, giving him a once-over. Sure, his leg’s amputated, but he’s got a decent amount of muscle on him. “Yeah…you do.”
He lets out a laugh. “You’re alright, Dr. Brooks. I row. I tried a few other sports, but I’m pretty good at it.”
Piper lifts to stand and rolls her eyes. “By pretty good, he means his team has won on the national level.”
“No shit?” I say without thought.
“Oh, Doctor swore.” He winks in a way that reminds me so much of Jax it’s not even funny. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you. Anyway. Time’s up. Good to go, Piper?”
He calls her by her first name, and suddenly, being called Doctor seems so stuffy, no matter how long it took me to earn it.
“All clear. Come back in a week, and we’ll check it again.”
“Next time you’re here, call me Mia,” I add lamely.
“Sure thing, Doc.”
When he’s gone, Piper knocks her shoulder against mine. “Well, look at you already fitting in. Robbie there doesn’t like anyone, and here you are charming him on your first day.”
Warmth shimmers in my chest. “I had to be good at something. Now, finish giving me the tour.”
