Chapter 5

I went to the new doctor's customary desk with Catherine, but she wasn't there. The other doctors and nurses said she still wasn't back at her station.

Amanda was still in the office when I got back.

Amanda smiled and commented, "That was fast."

"I'll be going back to my post," Catherine said, and then she departed without waiting for me to react. She suddenly halted, came close to me, and whispered, "No, really; don't involve yourself with the new staff."

"I know, Mother," I told her.

The normal me would have delighted to corner Amanda and pick up where we left off, but...

I told her instead, "I'm sorry, but I lost the patient, so I'm in a bit of a sour mood."

"Oh, I'm so sorry about that. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"For the time being?" I said as I sat down, "I just want to be left alone."

She smiled