Page 12 of Highland Stars
“I can take it from here, if that’s alright,” the handsome doctor whose name I can’t remember says.
“Fine by me,” I say under my breath, but they both look at me. Dr. Handsome raises his eyebrows at me, as if he heard. He must have fantastic hearing, because I know I was quiet. I’ve always been good at whispering when necessary.
“I expect her to be fine to leave the day after tomorrow,” Dr. Johnson says, handing Dr. Handsome a small stack of papersbefore leaving.
“Alright, Makenna—”
“Ooo. My name sounds so good when you say it,” I interrupt. Thankfully, he doesn’t seem the least bit perturbed that I’ve misplaced my manners.
He smiles, and I notice the beeping in the room speed up. What’s that about? He looks somewhere to the left of me and his smile grows. I guess it’s not a bad thing.
“I brought your personal belongings up. Can I help you call the people you’re traveling with?”
People I’m traveling with? People I’m traveling with? I’m in Scotland. Hang on … I went on a hike. I was alone. I got really sick. I had to drive.
Tears spring from my eyes. “I left my rental car at a church somewhere. What if it’s not okay for it to sit there? I have to go get it. Do you think I could leave today?”
Dr. Handsome steps closer. There’s something familiar about him, though I can’t put my finger on what. I think I know him, but that’s crazy. “Slow down. I’m sure it’s fine. Whoever you’re with is likely taking care of it.” His voice is soothing, but his words are not.
I’m suddenly overwhelmed with how alone I am, and I don’t want to talk with this doctor anymore. I close my eyes. “Can we finish this later?”
“Of course. I’ll come back in a bit. Hopefully you’ll befeeling better. Can I get you anything?” He asks, but I only shake my head in answer before darkness takes me under.
10
Malcolm
Ifinishmyshiftand head back to Makenna’s room. She didn’t seem to recognize me before. I’ll be interested to see if she will now that the effects of the anesthesia have worn off. I knock softly on her door, and she answers, allowing me in.
“Hey, Makenna. Feeling any better?” I ask, noting her returned color and marked increase in energy and awareness. Also, this is the first time I’m seeing her eyes in bright light. They’re blue-green. Turquoise. I’ve never seen turquoise eyes.
Those eyes look confused. “Malcolm? What are you doing here?”
I’d taken off my white coat and left it in my locker. I open my mouth to explain, but before I can, she puts the pieces together.
“You were in here earlier. You’re a doctor?”
“I am. I work in the emergency department. I was there when you came in. I came up earlier to see how you were doing. And now I’m off shift.” I look around the room, as if I haven’t already noticed it’s empty. “I’m surprised your traveling companions aren’t here yet.”
“I don’t have any.”
“You’re alone? You don’t have anyone with you in Scotland?”
She shakes her head, and something inside me seizes. I don’t like this. I don’t love the idea of her traveling alone, but I really hate that she’s now going to have to recover from surgery with nae one to help her.
“I was supposed to come with my friend, but she canceled at the last minute.”
“You’re brave to travel alone.”
“I’m beginning to think it was less brave and more stupid.” She gestures to her surroundings, comically. “I’m definitely someone who is more comfortable doing things with people, especially when those things are new and big, like this trip. I just focused on the fact that I’ve been dreaming about this trip for almost as long as I can remember. I didn’t let myself think about the possible bad outcomes. Not that appendicitis would have come to mind if I had.”
“I’m sorry this happened on your dream trip, and you’rehaving to deal with it alone.”
“My mom would have come; she's always up for an adventure, but she didn’t have the time to take off. It’s a shame, since her being a nurse means she could have taken good care of me.” Her eyes spark with a thought. “Do you think my car’s okay? I left it parked at a church in Drumnadrochit. Can Ubers pick people up from the hospital? They could take me to get the car. I think the doctor earlier said I could be discharged the day after tomorrow. Is that right? That’s all very fuzzy to me.”
“Oh. I’m sorry, that’s one reason I came up here. Earlier, you seemed a little too out of it to talk. But, aye, you should be able to leave Monday. Everything with your surgery went perfectly.”
“Had it burst?”
