Page 28 of Stat: Love In Scrubs

P roud. It was the only word that came to mind when I glanced down at Yara.

The way she commanded the attention of everyone in the room without trying.

When she talked about the Academy, you could hear and feel her passion.

It was the main reason I knew she had this grant in the bag. I didn’t need to have a seed of doubt.

I held her hand within mine as we entered the elevator. The moment the doors closed behind us, I lifted her into my arms. Then placed kisses on her cheeks, the tip of her nose, her forehead, and then her lips.

“You know you got it, right?” I asked.

She brought her hands up to cover her mouth and face shyly.

“Don’t say that. I don’t want to jinx it.”

I reached out and pulled her hands from in front of her face so she could look clearly into my eyes. I needed her to see and hear me clearly.

“What’s for you is for you. Nothing is going to stop you from getting that grant. The woman I saw in that room was filled with confidence, and I am beyond proud to call you mine. You got this, baby, and it’s about time you claim it. You gone allow someone else to get your blessing?” I asked.

She smiled and shook her head. “No, I’m not, and I claim it. My kids deserve that grant. It’s not just for me. That’s why I don’t want to get my hopes up.”

“Nah, even if this doesn’t pan out, there is a grant with your name on it that will exceed your expectations. But, good thing this opportunity was created just for you.” I reminded her.

She wrapped her arms around my waist then laid her head against my chest. I placed another kiss against her forehead. When the elevator dinged, we walked together to the parking garage.

I held her car door open as she slipped inside. I leaned down once more to kiss her.

“Be waiting for my call later and tell pops I said we're still on for Sunday, right?”

She rolled her eyes. She hated that I never told her what her father would be doing. But we were handling grown folks' business.

“Where y’all going on Sunday that I wasn’t invited to? This is my first time hearing about it,” she responded.

“Woman. You know what? I have his number, so I’ll ask him myself. Oh, I put money in your purse; today is on me. Go get your nails done, take Darby and Maria with you.” I told her.

She craned her head to the side with a lift of her brow. I leaned down to kiss her once more before she could complain about the money, then stepped back to close her door. I turned to walk away when I heard her call my name. I glanced over my shoulder to see that her window was rolled down.

“Thank you, love. I’ll be waiting on that call, and I’ll pray you have a good day.”

I smiled and nodded.

“Don’t thank me. It’s what you deserve, if not more. Wait until I get you a card with your name on it attached to my account.”

“Desmond, you better not,” she said, sternly.

I wasn’t paying her any attention. If she didn’t know it yet, I was more than certain she was my future wife. I didn’t need to waste more time playing around or trying to figure out a damn thing.

I chuckled and didn’t respond. I walked back into the hospital and made a beeline for the elevators. I knew exactly what I needed to do today. The position Mrs. Hamilton offered me had been on my mind a lot recently, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

I took the elevator to the Administration floor. I stuffed my hands into the pockets of my coat, waiting until it dinged. I had never felt more at peace with a decision than the one I was getting ready to share with Mrs. Hamilton.

I walked over to her assistant's desk to see if she had some time available to talk. Her assistant let me know to give her a moment while she checked in with her boss. I waited off to the side before her assistant looked up at me with a wave towards the door.

“Thank you,” I told her.

Then made my way over to the door. I stood still for a moment to release a breath before knocking to alert her I was there. Mrs. Hamilton called out for me to come inside. I let myself into the room and then took the seat across from her.

“I almost expected to hear from you today.” She said.

I smiled. “Yeah. Today has been a day.”

“Absolutely, and you were right about Yara. She is a dynamic woman and gave us a lot to talk about once that meeting was over. We appreciate you pointing her in our direction with this opportunity.”

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. Yara was everything and more than Mrs. Hamilton could ever know.

“She is unreal,” I responded.

“I know today’s meeting was nice, but I am sure you didn’t come to talk about that since you know our process. I am going to assume you are here to talk to me about the Chief of Obstetrics position.”

I nodded.

“Yes, ma’am. I am ready to give you my answer.”

She smiled politely.

“I’m sure I know the answer, but please, let me know.”

I rubbed my hands together in front of me before speaking.

“I’m not going to take the position. I love what I do, but I love my daughter, my family, and the love of my life more. They share enough of me with this hospital, and I’m not willing to sacrifice more of my time away from them.”

Mrs. Hamilton gave me an all-knowing smile.

“I wasn’t sure if you would go with the position, but when I saw how you looked at Yara today during her meeting.

I knew then that you would not fill this position.

I understand how much you and your family have to sacrifice to hold the title of Doctor, so we’re grateful to have you in any capacity. ”

I nodded and stood from where I was seated. She joined me, then walked around the desk to shake my hand before walking me out with her well wishes.

The walk out of her office and back to the elevator felt like a boulder had been removed from my shoulders. Today was the push I needed to decide what I knew in my heart all along. My family was the most important legacy I would ever have.

LATER THAT DAY…

Today had actually been a chill ass day: no high-risk situations, no irate parents, no problems. I didn’t want to jinx us, but damn, did it feel good just to be able to come to work and do what I love with no problems.

Lunch was around the corner, and for the first time, I wanted to leave the hospital to take it. Usually, I stayed in so I wouldn’t have to rush back in case of an emergency. But, today I wanted to visit a nearby coffee shop that made good ass sandwiches.

I reached into my pocket, ready to call Yara, but then realized I had told her to have a good time with Darby and Marissa.

But then I noticed a missed call and a voicemail from Ron.

I hovered over the voicemail, trying to decide if I wanted to hear anything they had to say.

To allow them to possibly ruin my damn day.

I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer. Then I decided to listen and decide what to do afterwards. I clicked the play button before I talked myself out of it and placed the phone to my ear.

Ron cleared his throat before speaking. “Desmond, this is Ron. I’m calling to apologize about the way things went at dinner.

I know it’s been a while since the incident, but I couldn’t in good conscience just allow the dust to settle without trying to make amends.

If you have a lunch break or anything today, Marissa and I would like to apologize in person. To talk, if you’re up to it.”

The call ended, and I pulled the phone from my ear, more conflicted than when I listened to the voicemail.

I didn’t want to give myself more time to let this situation plague my mind.

So, I did what was necessary. I shot Ron a text with the address of the coffee shop I was heading to and a time to meet up today.

He quickly responded, letting me know they would be there.

I placed my phone back into my pocket to finish my rounds before letting the nurses know I would be out for lunch today and to beep me for emergencies. Then grabbed my wallet from my locker and walked to the shop since it wasn’t far from the hospital.

Within five minutes, I was at the shop, ordering a hot Italian sub, a bottle of water, and kettle-cooked chips. I waited briefly for Ron and Marissa to make it to my booth, I picked in the far back corner of the shop. I figured we would need privacy for our talk.

I just hoped they would come to have a respectful conversation. I wasn’t going for anything other than that. They called my name to let me know my food was ready, so I grabbed it and sat back down. I prayed over my meal, then ate when I saw them walk into the shop.

They scanned the restaurant looking for me, so I waved to get their attention. I said another silent prayer before they finally made it to my table and slid in on the opposite side of my booth. Ron and Marissa glanced at one another before looking back at me.

Marissa spoke first.

“First, I wanted to apologize in person for my behavior. Your girlfriend did not deserve to be treated the way she was by me. I didn’t have that right, and no one does.

I in no way want to use this as an excuse, but it’s just a fact.

I was surprised. When we spoke, it never occurred to me that you had moved on, that we would be surrounded by more than just Esa and you.

“It was a lot for me to handle and spiraled, then I lashed out at Yara. It was yet another truth I hadn’t been willing to accept until that moment,” she finished.

“And what’s that?” I asked.

A long tear slipped down her cheek. “That my baby is truly gone.”

I was at a loss for words because the grief coming off her was in waves.

“Have you ever thought about getting in contact with a grief therapist? If I hadn’t gotten one, I would still be in the same state as you two.

I had to take the healthy route for my daughter.

It’s one reason I signed her up for Yara’s academy.

If you had taken the time to get to know her, you would see she is just like Esa. ”

“What do you mean?” Ron asked.