Page 33 of The Ampersand Effect

“Right, buddy,” Grier managed, her voice softer. “But you still need to be careful. How about we take a break and do some of your exercises?”

She swallowed the lump and forced another smile. Seeing the pride on Jonah’s face as he celebrated his progress made it easier for her smile to reach her eyes, almost real.

“Alix is pretty amazing, aren’t they? I’m so proud of you for working so hard to get better and chase your dreams. Promise me I get to be one of your first passengers when you start flying?”

“Yes! We can fly around the hospital and wave at all the kids!” Jonah beamed, then flopped backward on his bed, his imagination soaring as high as a helicopter.

“And honk the horn!” Micah piped up from the floor.

They all laughed at that, each drifting into their own visions of what that future might look like.

Back in her office, Grier slipped her coat off and looked at the clock. She had a few minutes before meeting Maren for her massage and wanted to update some patient charts first. She started with Jonah’s, his encounter still fresh in her mind.

She noticed a flag on Jonah’s chart—one that hadn’t been there earlier that morning. From Dr. Vanders. Her stomach clenched in dread as she began to read.

Patient demonstrates modest improvement with alternative interventions. Recovery anticipated to be brief. Due to persistent nature of tumor and anticipated fracture at femoral head, aggressive intervention preferred. Recommendation: surgical removal of left lower extremity at hip.

Arrogant prick!He was still pushing for amputation, even though Jonah was showing signs of improvement. Vanders obviously hadn’t shared his opinion with Molly or Jonah yet—or they would have mentioned it to her just now. She hadn’t seen Vanders since his departure from the gala on Saturday night, but she could guess he was still fuming about the award. It would be just like him to assert his superiority where he knew it wouldhurt Grier the most— compromising the desires and outcomes of their mutual patients.

She needed to intervene, but she knew she had to be indirect. Reaching for her desk phone, she dialed the number for the surgical floor’s nurse’s station.

“Surgery, this is Jenn.”

“Hey,Jenn. It’s Dr. Savage.”

“Hi Dr. Savage! Congratulations on the win Saturday! Don’t tell Dr. Vanders, but you had all of the nurses’ votes up here!”

Grier smiled, silently savoring how much it would piss off Vanders if he knew that. “Thank you, Jenn. I still can’t believe I won.”

“Well, we can! We love you.” Jenn laughed lightly, then shifted back to business. “Anyway, what can I do for you?”

“Is Dr. Rhodes in this morning?”

“Yes, but she’s in surgery right now.”

“Okay, can you have her call me when she’s available, please? It’s important, but not emergent.”

“Of course, Dr. Savage.”

Grier ended the call and headed to toward Maren’s massage room.

“Yay! You’re here! Okay, go ahead and get undressed, and I’ll be back in a minute.” Maren closed the door behind her, giving Grier a moment of privacy.

Grier climbed onto the warmed table and pulled the covers over her body, breathing in several purifying breaths of the calming eucalyptus Maren diffused throughout the suite. She was already beginning to unwind when a gentle knock sounded at the door.

“Are you ready, hon?” Maren stage-whispered, peeking her head in.

Grier hummed in affirmation, too relaxed for words.

Maren stepped through the door and began to wash her hands at the small sink behind Grier’s head. “So, I noticed we both have a little extra time today. I was thinking that we start with some reiki, if you’re open to it. It’s been a while since we’ve done a session, and your energy feels like it could use a little redirection. No pressure, though—I can just focus on the tissue work if you prefer.”

Maren’s soothing tone and the quiet atmosphere of the room were already working their intended magic on Grier’s body and mind.

“Wonderful! I don’t know why I didn’t think of it.” Grier wiggled a little on the massage table, trying to dispel any superficial energy that was clinging to her psyche as she settled in for the reiki.

“Great! Okay, I’m going to keep you covered under the sheets for this, but I may move your limbs a bit. You know the drill. Take plenty of deep, cleansing breaths and don’t try to force your emotions in any particular direction. Let them flow through you—accept the message they’re bringing, then let them go.”

Grier nodded, closed her eyes, and began breathing deeply—in through her nose, out through her mouth. She felt Maren’s hands rest lightly on her abdomen, then shift to her head, down one side of her body, and up the other. The warmth of Maren’s palms and the steady weight of her touch seemed to draw tension out of Grier’s body, her muscles melting deeper into the table’s cushion.