I checked the medical data; her heart rate, blood pressure, and a slight temperature. I went through my observations; the clammy skin, swollen legs. I reviewed her statements about how she was feeling; like her batteries were running down. That along with my observations had made me concerned about her heart and lungs, which was why I ordered the tests. I’d asked her about chest pain or difficulty breathing, but her answer wasn’t clear.
I asked her about the day, and in particular when she started feeling bad. I remembered she was all over the place during our conversation. She’d been excited that a former student was now a doctor. But she had said she woke feeling bad that morning, according to my notes. I kept reading, and then I saw it. She’d asked her son to bring her to the hospital, and he’d sent his son. But it was several hours before he actually got her to the hospital because he had to finish a game and later go make up with his girlfriend.
I pulled up the autopsy and notes from the pathologist. I wanted to call and talk to her, but now that I quit, I probably couldn’t. But Mia could. She already had. Didn’t she tell me that the autopsy indicated it might have already been too late for Ms. Mason when she got to the hospital?
I was beginning to feel vindicated. The only problem was, what sort of asshole would I be to blame her grandson for her death? I didn’t want that, but I did want to be out from under the shadow of Ms. Mason’s death, so I called Victoria.
“They’re suing me for negligence when they’re the ones who neglected her,” I explained to her.
“That could change things. Have you mentioned this to the hospital lawyer?”
“No. I quit actually.” I wondered if I should have told her that sooner.
“What? Why? Did the hospital run you out?”
“No. The town did. It doesn’t matter. Look, I don’t want to blame the grandson, but I do want to be free of this. I did everything right.”
“I understand. There’s still a question about the tests too. The chest x-ray wasn’t received. That puts all this either on the hospital or the grandson. Or both. But not you. I’ll see about talking to the family’s attorney. Maybe this will make them drop it.”
“I don’t know. They might see me or the hospital as trying to blame them.” I didn’t the town thinking I’d retaliate by blaming the family.
“They can continue the lawsuit with the hospital. That doesn’t matter. As long as they drop your case, that’s all I’m hired to worry about.”
“Maybe I should call—”
“Don’t call your former employer about this, Nick. Let’s not get into a more complicated situation than this is already.”
I agreed, but I felt a little bit like I was betraying Mia by not giving her a heads up. Then again, hadn’t she stuck with the hospital when it was positioning me as the culprit? Just thinking that made me sound petty.
After my call, I sat out on the sun porch with the journal, trying to get my head straight. What I needed to do was decide what the fuck I wanted. That was easy. Mia. I wanted Mia. I needed Mia. I also needed a job. I couldn’t ask for my job back, because Mia was there. Maybe it was time I went into private practice like Eli and I had originally planned. Of course, I had to consider no one would want me as their doctor, even if I was cleared. Keddler had an urgent care center, maybe I could work there. It would be a commute, but it was doable.
“You look ready to go home,” my mother said as she came to sit with me.
“I’m getting there.”
“What’s the issue?” she asked.
“I’m unemployed and not sure I’ll have patients if I open a practice.”
She looked at my doodles and notes. “What about going back to the hospital?”
“I can’t. It’s against the rules for Mia to see me if I work there.”
Her attention snapped to me. “So, there is something again with you and Mia.”
“I hope so.”
My mother’s smile was wide. “I’m glad.”
“Maybe I can work in Keddler. Once my lawsuit is dropped—”
“Oh, is there a change? Goodness, so much is happening.”
“I don’t know actually, but I remembered something important that might help. If so, I should be able to get a job, although maybe not in Goldrush Lake. I’m not sure people’s opinion about me will change.”
“Maybe you and Mia could come down here. Los Angeles isn’t too far and I know she likes the city.”
“She needs to be with Jim now. In fact, I need to bring him down here. I promised him we could go see the bongo at the San Diego Zoo.”
“He could move too.”
I shook my head. “No. Eli is there. The store is there. Jane wanted them there.”
“She wants them together,” my mother said. “But I suppose it would be hard for Eli to leave. And the store is such a part of their family.” She patted my hand. “So, when are you leaving?”
“I still don’t have a job.”
“Nick, one thing I’ve learned is that it’s often easier to solve a problem when you’re able to actively get involved in it. You need to go home to get your life in order, not stay here.”
“You’re right,” I leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“Just one thing, Nick. For me.”
I had that uh-oh feeling. “What?”
“Find someone you can talk to up there. Maybe not in Goldrush Lake, but someone.”
“I will.” And I meant it. I wasn’t dumb enough to think one therapy session would cure me. I knew that some of my clarity and energy to move forward came from the one session
