17. Buster

SEVENTEEN

Buster

UAB Hospital

9:07 am

I walk down the sterile hallway, my mind racing with thoughts of my patient, James Harrison. The early morning quiet of the hospital is deceptive—behind these walls, life and death battles are waged every day. I take a deep breath as I approach his room, steeling myself for what's to come.

When I enter, I see James propped up in bed, looking pale but alert. His wife sits beside him, worry etched on her face.

"Good morning, Mr. Harrison," I say, forcing a smile. "How are you feeling today?"

"I've felt better, Doc, I'm not going to lie," he replies weakly. "But I hear you're gonna fix me up again."

I nod, pulling up a chair. "That's right. Your blood work shows there might be a small leak at the surgical site. We need to go back in and repair it."

His wife grips his hand tighter. "Is it dangerous?" she asks, her voice trembling.

"Every surgery carries risks," I explain gently. "But leaving this untreated is far more dangerous. We caught it, so that is good. Going in and replacing the patch gives us the best chance for the best outcome."

James closes his eyes briefly, then looks at me with determination. "Well, let's get it done then. I've got two daughters to walk down the aisle someday."

His words hit me hard, reminding me of my father, who never got that chance. I push the thought away, focusing on the present.

"We'll take excellent care of you, Mr. Harrison," I assure him. "I'll be leading the surgery myself, and we have a top-notch team ready. You're scheduled for eleven, but my morning surgery was rescheduled, so we may move you up sooner. Would that be okay?"

"The sooner the better. No offense, I'm ready to feel better and get out of here."

"None taken."

I notice Mrs. Harrison is drinking from a Brewed Awakening cup. Seeing it makes me smile and think about Cole.

"Best coffee in town, am I right?"

"Oh, we absolutely love that place! And the owner, Cole, is a good friend of ours. James restored an old roaster for her, and the whole family adopted her and Maddie, her daughter, after that."

My stomach drops. The thought of that roaster and the memories attached to it cause me to catch my breath. Now, knowing that this patient who has attached himself to my heart, unlike most of my others, is connected to it, to her, makes all of the other coincidences seem more poignant.

"You don't say? Cole is a friend of mine, too. As a matter of fact, she just showed me the roaster yesterday. Good job on that. It is beautiful."

"It's a small world, isn't it? James has an affinity for them."

I smile, thinking about the threads that connect us all. It is, indeed, a small world.

As I stand to leave, James catches my arm. "Thank you, Dr. Hankel. For everything."

I pat his shoulder, feeling the weight of his trust. "That's what I'm here for. We'll see you in the OR soon."

10:45 am

I walk out of the OR, peeling off my surgical cap and mask. The tension in my shoulders eases as I spot Carly at the nurses' station. She looks up, her eyebrows raised in question.

"Hey, Carly," I say, approaching her. "Harrison's surgery went well. I feel much better about this second round."

Carly's face breaks into a wide smile. She holds up her hand for a high five, which I gladly return.

"That's great news, B," she says, using her nickname for me. "I'll keep a special eye on him like before."

"Thanks, I appreciate that," I reply, a wave of relief washes over me.

As I lean against the counter, I reflect on the surgery. This time, I feel more confident and assured that we've addressed the issue thoroughly. There's a gravitas to this case that I can't shake, and I feel a sense of responsibility that goes beyond my usual commitment to patients.

I know it is connected to my desire to save my father. To change how it went for him.

I also love that his family is connected to Cole. It's almost like he was meant to be on my table.

Carly's eyes light up as she walks around the nurse's station. "You're a great surgeon, you know that? I know we all give you a hard time, and you're our resident jokester, but you're very talented with that scalpel. Mr. Harrison is lucky he got you for his surgery."

I nod, a smile tugging at my lips. "Aww. Look, you can be sweet, after all. That was nice of you to say, Carly. I'm glad to know I have you fooled."

"Never can take a compliment, can you?"

Her confidence in me bolsters my own. I straighten up, feeling reinvigorated despite the long surgery.

"I'll check in on him later. Keep me posted if anything changes, alright?"

"You got it, B," she replies with a mock salute.

As I walk away, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. The connection to Cole, however unexpected, has added another layer to my commitment to James Harrison's recovery. It's a reminder of how interconnected our lives can be and how each patient's story extends far beyond the hospital walls.

I grab my gym bag and head out of the hospital, grateful for the unexpected free time in my schedule. The morning surgery's rescheduling and my 11:00 appointment moving up have left me with a perfect window for a good workout.

The drive to the gym is therapeutic in itself. I can feel the tension from the earlier surgery starting to melt away. There's nothing like a solid sweat session to clear my head and recharge my batteries.

I walk into the gym, the familiar scent of rubber mats and disinfectant greeting me. I nod to a few regulars as I walk to the locker room. Changing into my workout gear, I can already feel my muscles anticipating the burn.

I start with a quick warm-up on the treadmill, but my mind is still partially on James Harrison's case. But as I increase the speed and incline, I force myself to focus solely on my breathing and the rhythm of my feet hitting the belt.

Smiling to myself, I think about what Mrs. Harrison said. Cole and Maddie are like family to them. I felt pride when she said that. She is beloved to so many, including, possibly, yours truly. That is more than just a physical fling. As much as I'm trying to keep her at arm's length, she keeps showing up in person, in conversation, and my mind.

After a good run, with my heart rate up and charged, I move to the weight area. I load up the barbell for some deadlifts, my go- to for releasing stress. As I grip the bar, I take a deep breath, pushing all thoughts of work out of my mind. It's just me and the iron now.

I lose myself in the workout, moving from deadlifts to bench presses and then onto pull-ups. The physical exertion feels good, and each rep pushes away the lingering worry about Harrison's recovery.

By the time I finish with a set of brutal burpees, I'm drenched in sweat but feeling infinitely better. The endorphin rush is exactly what I needed. I quickly shower, change into my scrubs, and head back to the hospital.

As I walk back into the hospital, I feel the familiar buzz of my phone in my pocket. I pull it out, curious to see who's reaching out. A smile spreads across my face as I see Cole's name on the screen.

I open the text, my heart skipping a beat as I read her message.

We passed the inspection! The case is closed! We're officially off the hook with the health department, except for probation, but I can handle that. I owe it ALL to you and Aric! THANK YOU!!

A wave of relief and joy washes over me. I feel a slight sense of pride, knowing that I played a part in helping Cole overcome this hurdle. Moments like these remind me why I became a doctor in the first place—to help people, even if it's not always in the operating room.

It didn't have anything to do with my medical degree, but it feels good to be able to help someone.

I quickly type out a response, my fingers flying over the keys.

That's fantastic news, Cole! I'm so happy for you. I know you worked hard, so Aric and I can't take all the credit. I'm so glad he was able to help you get over that hurdle.

As I hit send, I realize I'm grinning like an idiot in the middle of the hospital corridor. A few nurses give me curious looks as they pass by, but I can't bring myself to care. Cole's happiness is infectious, even through a text message.

I pocket my phone and continue my walk to check on James Harrison, my step a little lighter now. I'm satisfied to have made a difference in Cole's life and eased some of her stress.

And if I'm being honest with myself, her gratitude means more to me than I realized it might. I wasn't doing it for that, but damn, it sure feels good.

3:36 pm

After a long day at the hospital, I feel a mix of exhaustion and elation. The successful surgery on James Harrison and Cole's good news have me in high spirits. As I walk to my car, I pull out my phone and type a message to Cole.

Hey, congrats again on passing the inspection! Mind if I stop by to celebrate with you?

I anxiously await her response, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel. When my phone buzzes, I quickly read her reply.

Thanks! Maddie and I just got home. We were planning to go for a swim. Want to join us?

My heart races a little at the invitation. I hesitate momentarily, wondering if getting more involved with Cole and Maddie is wise. But the thought of spending time with them is too tempting to resist.

Sounds perfect. I'll grab my swim trunks and meet you down at the pool.

I drive home quickly, change into my swim gear, and head down. As I approach the pool, I hear Maddie's excited chatter as she splashes in the water. I take a deep breath and open the gate with my fob.

When I round the corner, Cole is sitting on a nearby lounger, looking radiant in a simple navy blue swimsuit. Her smile is warm and genuine as she greets me.

"Hey, Buster! Are you ready for a swim with a four-year-old and a giant pink float?"

"Dr. Buster!" she squeals, her enthusiasm infectious. "Are you coming swimming with us?"

I kneel at the pool's edge. "I sure am, kiddo. But only if I can catch a ride on that flamingo."

Cole watches our interaction, a soft expression on her face that I can't quite decipher.

5:41 pm

After our swim, we part ways to change into dry clothes. As I'm about to head back to my apartment, Cole catches my eye.

"Hey, Buster," she says, a hint of nervousness in her voice. "I made lasagna earlier, and there's plenty. Would you like to join us for dinner? It's nothing fancy, but..."

"I'd love to," I respond, perhaps a bit too eagerly. "That sounds great."

Cole's face lights up. "Perfect! Why don't you come over in about thirty minutes? That'll give us time to get cleaned up."

I nod, feeling a warmth spread through my chest that has nothing to do with the afternoon sun. "Sounds good. I'll shower and be right over."

As I walk back to my place, I can't help but smile. The afternoon swim with Cole and Maddie was more fun than I've had in ages. Watching Maddie splash around with her flamingo floatie and hearing Cole's laughter echo across the pool feels natural.

In my apartment, I hop in the shower, letting the warm water wash away the chlorine. My mind wanders to Cole, how she looked in her swimsuit, and the easy conversation we shared while Maddie played nearby.

I catch myself before my thoughts go too far on the dark side. Enjoy our time, I have to remind myself. It doesn't have to be anything more or anything less.

I hastily dry off and throw on a comfortable pair of jeans and a soft, worn t-shirt. I glance at the clock as I run a hand through my damp hair. Twenty-five minutes have passed. I grab a bottle of wine from my small collection. It isn't anything fancy, but it should pair well with lasagna.

Standing outside Cole's apartment, I take a deep breath before knocking. I hear Maddie's excited voice from inside, followed by Cole's gentle shushing. The door swings open, and the aroma of home-cooked lasagna washes over me.

Cole stands there, hair still wet and curlier than usual, maybe from her shower or still from her dip in the pool, or both. She has a welcoming smile on her face, a notable difference from the look she gave me at the theme park two weeks ago.

"Right on time," she says, stepping aside to let me in. "Come on in, dinner's almost ready."