20. Clementine

Clementine

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air as I sat across from Kayla at a corner table in Jasper’s Café. I wrapped my hands around the ceramic mug, letting the heat seep into my fingers while trying to get Leyland and our night together out of my head.

I felt like a character in the movie Twilight and he’d imprinted himself on me.

Kayla looked up from her avocado toast, her dark, perfectly arched brows raised in amusement.

“Alright, spill it,” she said, setting her fork and knife—she’d been cutting her toast into sections with—down with an exaggerated flourish. “You’ve been smiling like you just won the lottery. I need to know what’s going on.”

I tried to suppress the grin threatening to break across my face, but it was no use.

“Is it that obvious?” I asked, leaning back against the booth with a sheepish chuckle.

“Oh, absolutely. The last time I saw you this happy was... actually, I can’t remember. It’s been a while. So? What’s the deal?”

I sighed, the words tumbling out before I could second-guess myself.

“I broke up with James.”

Kayla’s expression shifted from surprise to satisfaction in seconds.

“Finally!” she exclaimed. “I mean, I’m sorry if that was hard for you, but... it was time, Clem. It was way past time.”

Her response shocked me a little; she’d never hinted to having thoughts or feelings on my relationship with James.

“Why do you think it was time?” I asked, needing to know.

She leaned back, gaze peering deeply into mine.

“Because what you two have isn’t love, and I think you deserve that soul-stirring, life-changing kind of love. He can’t give you that.”

I nodded, understanding and appreciating that she hadn’t forced her opinion on me over the years. Allowing me to see it for myself was and will always be the best course of action.

“You’re not wrong,” I admitted. “I didn’t realize how unhappy I was until I wasn’t in it anymore.”

Kayla leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table as she studied me.

“And? How are you feeling now?”

“Free…” the word rolled off my tongue with unexpected ease. “I feel lighter, like I can finally breathe again. And... I feel happy. Like, genuinely happy.”

Her smile widened.

“Okay, now you really have to tell me what’s going on. This isn’t just about breaking up with James. There’s more to it, isn’t there?”

I avoided her gaze, suddenly fascinated by the foam art in my coffee. “Well... I did go on a date recently.”

“Aha!” Kayla’s triumphant exclamation turned heads from nearby tables, but she didn’t seem to care. “I knew it. Who’s the lucky guy?”

I hesitated for a moment before answering.

“His name is Leyland. Leyland Graham.”

Recognition flashed in her eyes.

“Leyland... as in you and James’s former patient Leyland? The one with the whole ‘you’re my wife in another lifetime’ thing?”

Gossip traveled fast in a hospital.

I nodded, bracing myself for her reaction, but to my surprise, Kayla just laughed softly.

“You are full of surprises. So? How was it?”

“It was... incredible,” I admitted, leaving out the encounter with James. “He’s... different, Kayla. Being with him feels different. Like, I don’t have to pretend to be anything other than who I am. And the way he looks at me...” I trailed off, my heart dancing at the memory. “He sees all of me. Every flaw and insecurity but I feel safe, nonetheless.”

Kayla’s expression grew thoughtful as she rested her chin in her hand.

“You deserve that, Clem. You really do.”

I smiled, the weight of her words sinking in.

“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever truly been in love before,” I said, surprising even myself with the admission. “I thought stability was what I wanted, what mattered most because I never really had it. But now... now I just want to love and be loved in return. Fully, without holding back.”

She reached across the table, squeezing my hand.

“And you will be. This is the first step to getting what you truly deserve. I’m proud of you for putting yourself first. Never settle again, alright?”

Her words brought tears to my eyes, but I blinked them away, laughing softly as I nodded.

“Thanks, boo. That means a lot.”

“Anytime,” she said with a wink. “Now, finish that coffee. We’ve got a long shift ahead of us.”

The hospital was already buzzing with activity when we arrived, the usual controlled chaos of the emergency department in full swing. I exchanged a quick smile with Nurse Jones as Kayla and I made our way to where the new interns were waiting for their first official day with me.

As I pushed the door open to the break room, a hush fell over the interns when they turned to look at me.

“Good morning,” I began, my voice firm but welcoming. “Since we’ve already met, here’s what you need to know: when I move, you move. When I’m speaking, you’re listening. When I ask a question, you will answer it confidently or not at all. This is not a game or a simulation; this is real life, and you’re in my emergency department. Got it?”

A chorus of murmured “yes, Dr. Warren” echoed through the room, and I nodded in satisfaction.

“Good. You’ll be shadowing me and the other attending physicians today. Pay attention, ask questions, and most importantly, remember that every decision you make here has real consequences for real people. Now, let’s get to work.”

I stepped back and used my body to hold the door open, feeling a sense of accomplishment at setting the tone for the day, but stopped short when I saw the hospital director standing nearby with a warm smile on her face.

“Well said, Dr. Warren,” she remarked, nodding to the interns as they passed. “Exactly the kind of leadership we need in this department.”

“Thank you, Dr. Harris. I’m doing my best.”

“I knew I picked the right person to represent the hospital at this year’s gala,” she said, her tone full of approval. “You will accept, right?”

Her statement caught me off guard, but I quickly recovered, nodding in acknowledgment. This year’s AVAA gala was a big deal for St. Mercy’s Children’s hospital—just across the street from here. I hadn’t expected to be chosen when they had more qualified doctors to represent the kids they treat.

“It’s an honor,” I said regardless. “I’ll do my best to represent us well.”

“I have no doubt you will,” she said before turning to address the interns. “You’re in excellent hands with Dr. Warren. Pay attention to her—there’s a lot you can learn.”

With that, she left me to harp on what this meant. I glanced back at the interns, their faces a mix of awe and anticipation.

“All right,” I said, clapping. “Let’s get started.”

The day flew by in a blur of patient charts, quick consultations, and teaching moments with the interns. Despite the chaos, I felt a sense of clarity I hadn’t experienced in a long time. My conversation with Kayla lingered in the back of my mind, a reminder of the path I was finally carving out for myself.

As I stepped into the break room for a moment of respite, I caught my reflection in the window. For the first time in what felt like forever, I saw someone who was truly happy and promised myself to keep it that way.