One Summer in Paris

‘I know. I’m the inhaler police. Party. Live life. I’ll call you tomorrow.’

She ended the call and slid her feet back into her shoes.

Mike raised an eyebrow. ‘Nothing like giving out advice you don’t take yourself. When did you last party and live life?’

‘I’m partying in my mind. I’m at a virtual party right now.’

‘Does that come with a virtual hangover? Who’s getting married?’

‘My sister. In less than four weeks.’

‘This is the sister who’s studying fairy tales?’

Katie groaned. ‘I think I might have overdone that joke. She’s studying Celtic languages, myth and folklore at a certain Ivy League college. She would claim it contributes to the understanding of the culture and beliefs of society. It has been the subject of many lively arguments around the dinner table. She really is super-smart, but I still think of her as my little sister and I overdo the teasing.’ She rubbed her forehead with her fingers. ‘It feels like only yesterday I was reading her board books.’

‘Big age difference?’

‘Ten years. I think my parents had given up on having another child, and then Rosie popped out.’

‘And you were hit by a massive dose of sibling jealousy?’

‘What?’ Katie stared at him. ‘No. I adored her. Right from the first moment I saw her funny little hairless head.’

She thought about Rosie as an adorable toddler, following her everywhere. Rosie in her favourite dinosaur pyjamas.

Rosie turning blue with an asthma attack.

‘You’re close?’

‘Very. I confess I might be a tad overprotective—which is why I’m flying to Colorado to meet this guy.’

He raised an eyebrow. ‘You haven’t met him?’

‘No. And don’t look at me that way. I’m already freaked out. They’ve known each other a couple of months. What can you know about someone in a few months? What if he’s a gambler, or a narcissist. He could be a psychopath. Maybe a serial killer.’

Mike leaned against the door and folded his arms. ‘Dr Doom. Always the optimist.’

‘I am not Dr Doom. I’m Dr Reality—thanks to the years I’ve spent working here. Having the realities of life under your nose tends to cure optimism. There are no certainties in this life. We both know that.’

‘All the more reason to grab the happy moments that come your way.’

‘Did you honestly just say that? If you ever get thrown out of medicine you could write greetings cards.’ She finished her coffee and walked to the door.

‘Katie…’

‘What?’ She turned and saw the concerned look on his face.

‘Does your family know what happened to you?’

‘No, and there’s no reason to tell them.’

‘They could give you support.’

‘I don’t need support. I’m my own support.’

Her parents had done enough supporting in their lives. It was time for them to enjoy their time together.

‘Maybe a couple of weeks enjoying outdoor living and breathing in mountain air will be good for you.’