“What are they?”
“Positive.”
She enjoyed the quick rush of satisfaction before she turned to David, who stood in the doorway watching her leave. “Give the results to Ward and tell him I was right. She’s got blockage and we need to stave off a heart attack.”
Those were the last words she spoke before she left everything behind.
Thirteen
GEN, GET UP.”
“Ugh, what’s that smell?”
“I think it’s her. I told you we should’ve busted in yesterday.”
“I know. I couldn’t find my spare key. Why won’t she wake up? What if she overdosed?”
“Don’t be so dramatic, there’s no wine or pill bottles. But the empty ice cream cartons and candy wrappers means she’s on a sugar crash. Gen, sweetie, open your eyes.”
The voices swirled together in a beautiful musical harmony. Her eyelids felt heavy and she had a bad feeling that if she opened them she’d remember something terrible. She tried to ignore them, but the nice voices came with hands that were poking her and trying to turn her over. Gen growled. “Go away. I’m tired.”
Her body was shaken harder than a James Bond martini. “Wake up, I mean it. You’re freaking us out.”
She opened one eye. Three female faces peered down at her. “How come you’re not at work?” Gen mumbled.
“It’s Sunday,” Kate said. “We’ve been trying to reach you since yesterday. Thought you were with Wolfe, but he’s at some kind of convention thing, so he told us to break in. How long have you been in bed?”
Huh. When did her life splinter into tiny pieces so she had no job, no possessions, and no future? Oh yeah, Thursday. “Few days.”
Kennedy pulled back. “Woman, you need to brush your teeth.”
“Tomorrow.” She tried to roll back over but they forced her to sit up, climbing on top of the bed so they all surrounded her.
“Did something happen with David or the hospital?” Arilyn asked.
Gen realized they didn’t know. After her exit, she’d gone directly to the grocery store and bought everything that looked like it would kill her. Saturated fats and sugar galore. Trying to avoid a big pity party on top of her wedding fiasco, she’d texted everyone that she’d be working nonstop and would catch up later. Knowing Wolfe would be checking on her anyway, she’d told him she was staying at Kate’s and she’d contact him next week.
Then she’d gone to bed and stayed there.
“Honey, what happened? Wolfe was frantic. You lied and said you were with me,” Kate said.
“Didn’t want him to worry. He’s been babysitting me and it’s getting embarrassing. I’ll be fine.”
Kennedy lifted two empty bags of Funions. “If you ate these you’re not fine.”
Gen took a breath. “I quit the hospital. My residency is over. I had a huge showdown with David and he threatened to make my life hell, and I realized I can’t continue there.”
Kate stood up and smoothed back her hair. “Okay, I’m going to go kill him now. Remember, you’re my witnesses, so I was never there.”
Gen grabbed her hand. “I know you’re serious, so sit back down. I need you here, not in jail.”
Kennedy fumed. “He can’t get away with that. You need to report him.”
She lifted her hands. “Guys, he’s covered his tracks well. In fact, he planted seeds of depression and anxiety. Wrote up a report for HR. He runs the unit, and I’m just the silly runaway bride. I’m not going back, and I don’t want to get involved in a lawsuit or investigation I’ll lose. It’ll actually be worse for me.”
“I’m sorry, Gen. But I am going to kill him for you.”
She smiled at Kate. “I know you would. You’re such a good friend.”
“Let’s avoid talk of murder, please, and figure this out,” Arilyn piped up. “Can we hook you up with a tape recorder where you can get him to confess his evil plans on record?”
They stared at her. For such a sweet, gentle soul, Arilyn had a vicious streak that always fascinated Gen. “Good idea,” Ken jumped in. “Nate can help us set it up.”
Gen laughed. Only her friends could introduce humor into every situation. “Thanks for the suggestion, A, but I think I’ll pass. I just want to move on. Nothing else matters right now.”
“What are you going to do?” Kate asked. “Transfer to another hospital and residency program?”
She shook her head. “I’m taking a break. I need to figure out if this is what I really want, or if it’s just been a goal I’ve set for myself. I’d still need to commit to years more of training to do surgery. Maybe this is a sign I’m not meant for it.” They jumped in together to protest, but she held up one hand. “No, I’m not saying I’m not good enough. I just don’t think I ever gave myself any other options. I need time.” A small smile touched her lips. “I have nothing left. Maybe it’s a good thing, since I can start fresh. Find out who I really am again. Make sense?”
Arilyn nodded. “Perfect sense.”
“Is David pressuring you? Are you afraid of him? I still think we should call the cops,” Kennedy said.
“No. Now that I left the hospital, he has no more need to torture me. He can keep my stuff, I couldn’t care less. I just want to be free and start over.”
“Okay, but you’re not going to spend endless days in bed eating bad food in an attempt to figure things out,” Kate announced. “You’re getting a job.”