The Best Medicine Read Free

was to steal patients from one another.
    “No, they didn’t tell me.” My mind flipped through a short list of possible reasons they’d be coming together. Maybe my father had been named surgeon general. Maybe my mother had invented another revolutionary new surgical technique. Or maybe one of them had been exposed to a virulent strain of monkey pox and had only days to live. We were meeting at a pretty nice restaurant, so I hoped it wasn’t that. But something had prompted this surprise reunion. Not only were they both coming, but they were apparently riding together? Granted, Ann Arbor was a couple of hours’ drive from Bell Harbor, but even so, one of them must be bound and gagged in the trunk by now.
    This was all very curious.
    “Dr. Rhoades.” One of our nurses stuck her head in through the lounge doorway. “Dr. McKnight from the emergency department is on the phone. He says he’s got a facial laceration consult. You’re on call tonight, right?”
    “You’re on call tonight?” Hilary asked. “Why didn’t you trade with someone since it’s your birthday? I could’ve done it if you’d asked ahead of time.” Her tone was a combination of surprise and condemnation. I’d obviously reinforced her belief I was deliberately keeping busy with work to avoid social obligations. But really, I just wanted the extra money. Every penny I made was being tucked away for my future house. I had my heart set on a place right on the shoreline, and those did not come cheap.
    “I like taking call. And besides, everyone else has kids to go home to.” I turned to the nurse. “Please tell him I’ll be right there.” I could deal with this patient and still make it to dinner on time. I just wouldn’t be able to run home to my apartment and change first.
    I raised my hand and waved to the remaining birthday crowd. It had thinned, and I realized my other partners had already returned to work.
    “Thanks, everyone, for the wonderful birthday party. Sorry to carb-load and dash, but duty calls.”
    A few voices called out another round of birthday wishes as Hilary and Gabby followed me into the waiting room. I turned back toward them before leaving the office.
    “And a big, fat thanks to you two for spilling the beans about my birthday.” I shook my finger at them, but once again, Hilary was unimpressed by my impotent frustration, and I was secretly glad. I had to admit, I felt a little warm and fuzzy down deep inside, knowing the group had gone to this trouble on my behalf. Sure, maybe they just wanted cake, but they had all clapped when I blew out the candles.
    “Não há problema.” Gabby smiled. “By the way—”
    Hilary interrupted her sister. “I know you secretly wanted us to make a fuss.”
    I laughed out loud at her misplaced certainty. “No, I really didn’t. But I appreciate the gesture.”
    “Someone needs to teach you how to have fun, Evie. Live a little.” Her smile was oversized for the occasion.
    Gabby reached over and squeezed my arm. “I could send my friend Axel over to your apartment later for a foda pena . He’s lots of fun.”
    “What’s a foda pena ?”
    “It’s a pity fu—”
    “Shh!” I hissed and made a chopping motion across my throat.
    Delle, the receptionist, had deftly and strategically positioned herself behind them to listen to our conversation. Honestly, the woman weighed more than a linebacker, but she could sneak up and eavesdrop like a professional assassin. She wasn’t brigade leader of the birthday ninjas by accident.

    I made my way from the plastic surgery center office down two flights of stairs and several hallways before arriving at the emergency department. Everyone I encountered along the way greeted me with a broad smile and even a few chuckles. Either news of my birthday had spread or I still wasn’t accustomed to how friendly the locals were.
    The Bell Harbor ED was a busy place, but not nearly as chaotic as where I’d trained in Chicago. Emergencies