I’ve prided myself, since I began working at the hospital, that I’ve never let my personal life interfere with my professional life, but that took a nosedive this morning when I didn’t show up for Grace’s scan.
If I’d called Yuri before I did, Grace still could have gotten in, and I could’ve just taken a look at the scans later today or whenever, but I was too busy having my precious little breakdown.
I knock and then consider leaving before Grace reaches the door, but I don’t get the chance to think the idea all the way through before the door opens.
“Hey,” Grace says. “Come in.”
“Thanks,” I tell her. “I’m sorry to show up like this after no-showing at your MRI this morning, but I really don’t know what else to do, who else to talk to.”
“It’s fine.”
“I shouldn’t have come here,” I start.
“No, it’s fine,” Grace assures. “Sit down. What kind of advice did you need?”
I’m standing, staring stupidly into space, trying to think of how to explain what I came here to do.
“It’s nothing,” I answer. “I should just go.”
“Well, apparently it’s enough of something that you skipped my scan this morning,” she says. “Now you’re here, so you may as well just tell me.”
“I really don’t think it’s something I should be discussing with a patient,” I mutter.
“What was that?”
I repeat myself a little louder, and she just shrugs.
Her eyes are different right now. It’s not the irises, but the overall glassy appearance that I’ve seen from a number of my patients, even before medical cannabis was approved in the state.
“I think maybe it would be better if I come back when we’ve both got a clear head,” I say, knowing it’s probably going to be at least a few days before that’s going to happen.
“Nope,” she says and sits on her couch, patting the spot next to her.
Every instinct in me is telling me to turn around and walk out the door, but I really don’t feel like there’s anywhere for me to go.
“It’s Melissa,” I start, and then try to figure out how to continue.
“Sit,” Grace says, and pats the seat next to her again.
I sit, but I don’t say anything.
What I came here to do was to ask Grace if she’d watch the video and tell me what she thought Melissa was saying. I even cued the video up so we could avoid any images of actual penetration, but the ridiculousness of it all is starting to set in.
This is the kind of thing that can get you sued, but with Grace already aware of my second job, I don’t think that’s going to be a problem here.
“I don’t know how to say this,” I start.
“You think she’s cheating on you? I’d say it’s a pretty fair bet.”
“What makes you say that? You don’t even know her.”
“It’s the way she acts,” Grace says. “She’s just got that gleam of someone who’s getting some strange on the side, but come on, you can’t sit here and tell me that would be such a surprise.”
“Well,” I sigh, “I think you’re right. Yesterday, I, uh…I took a video, and she’s mouthing words at one point that seems to be-”
“Did you come over here to show me porn starring you and your girlfriend?” Grace interrupts with a smile.
When I don’t immediately answer, she starts laughing uncontrollably.