Page 5 of The Ampersand Effect
Molly, sensing what Grier was finding, spoke quietly from the chair where she’d been holding Micah. “He nearly fell—twice—this morning on the way to the helicopter. The captain caught him once. He was skipping in his excitement, and I think the foot got left behind.” Concern weighed in her posture and tone as she looked at Grier.
“The hip is a little warmer than I’d like, especially so soon after being adjusted. I’m going to have the nurses bring you some ice, okay, kiddo? And I want you to take it easy. No skipping! For the next two days, just focus on your treatmentsand exercises. Otherwise, you have my permission to overload yourself with movies and video games.”
Jonah’s initial resistance melted into excitement at his prescription for screen time. He nodded vigorously, pulling out his Nintendo Switch, while Micah moseyed over to join him on the bed.
“Mom, can I talk to you outside for a minute? See you later, boys,” Grier said, turning on her toes and leading Molly out the door, which she closed behind them.
“What’s wrong?” Molly asked in a hushed voice, her anxiety barely contained.
“I wasn’t lying—I don’t like how warm his hip is. Has he complained today?”
“You know Jonah. He’s so resilient. He hasn’t said anything about pain, but he’s been rubbing the hip more than usual. I asked him to rate it, but he brushed me off. He always says he’s fine.” Molly crossed her arms, shrinking into herself.
“He doesn’t want to worry you, Molly. He’s a sweet boy,” Grier said, rubbing Molly’s upper arm in quiet comfort. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’ll have the nurses ice him several times over the next couple of days, and I’ll check on him daily. I’ll also call up to oncology to let them know what I’m seeing—maybe get a second set of eyes on him.”
“That would be great. Honestly, I don’t know how we’d get through this without you. He won’t talk to me, but he trustsyou. He doesn’t fight the others, but he’s reserved with them. With you, we get glimpses of his former self—the boy we miss.” Molly’s eyes glistened, and Grier’s heart squeezed with compassion for this mother in such an impossible situation.
“I’ve got you. And everyone here has your back. I don’t want to mislead you—I think we’re losing the leg. But we have to time it right, so he has the best chance of healing. I’ll confer with therest of his care team in the morning. Everyone is on your team, here, Molly,” Grier said with a sympathetic smile.
“Thank you, Dr. Savage.”
Grier returned to her office to grab Delta for their ride, still preoccupied. She knew she wasn’t supposed to have favorite patients, but Jonah affected everyone differently. He was just so tenacious, and his smile could brighten anyone’s day. She couldn’t shake the worry about a possible amputation.
“Earth to Grier!” Alix chided. She hadn’t even acknowledged them as she entered her office, so distracted by Jonah’s case. “Is Jonah okay?”
Grier looked at Alix. A slight shake of her head conveyed things were not well, but that she didn’t want to discuss it in front of Delta.
“You know I know something’s wrong when you do that, right?” Delta observed, oblivious to the seriousness but definitely not oblivious to the subtle signals of the adults around her.
“Yes, but it’s not for you to worry about. Are you ready? I could use something happier to focus on for a little while.” Grier swapped her lab coat for a hospital-issue black fleece jacket. “Let’s head up before they leave us behind.”
As soon as they entered the meeting room, Grier was flanked by Katie. “ Dr. Savage, can I talk to you for a moment, please?”
Grier directed Delta to the snacks and followed Katie to a quiet corner. “Hi, Katie. What can I do for you?”
“It’s not me, actually,” Katie explained. “One of the pilots is having trouble with their hand—an old injury flaring up from today’s activity. Captain Parrish is considering canceling the remainder of the rides, but I asked her to let me talk to you first. Maybe you could take a peek and work some magic—save the day, you know?”
“Sure, I’m happy to see if I can help. My niece has been looking forward to this all week; I’d hate to see it canceled. Where’s the pilot?”
Katie motioned behind Grier. She turned as a voice said, “Hi, are you Dr. Savage?”
“Yes, I am. What’s going on with your hand?”
“Oh, no, not me—sorry! I’m Captain Parrish.” She extended her hand to shake Grier’s. “My co-pilot, Captain Maes, has an injury from a helo accident a few years back, and it’s flaring today. I don’t want to pose a risk during flight, but if you’d be willing to treat her and give her the all clear, I’m hoping we can finish our final two flights.”
“I’m happy to see if I can help. Where is Captain Maes?” “Right here,” came a reply beside her.
Grier turned to take in the woman who had just breached their little triangle. Before her stood a tall, objectively gorgeous woman in a flawlessly fitted captain’s uniform, down to the pink-and-orange mirrored aviators that perched atop her hat. Grier took in her long, square face, devastating green eyes softened by delicately high cheek bones, and waves of mahogany hair cascading behind her shoulders. Grier’s gaze caught on her lips, which were elegantly thin, set in a slight pout—currently pursed— and Grier wasn’t sure if it was from pain or annoyance at being ambushed for treatment.
Grier’s mouth hung open far longer than polite, but she couldn’t take her eyes off the woman. She heard the other pilot say something, and realized she was being introduced. She coughed, trying—and failing—to startle herself into composure. “I… I’m Dr. Savage. Grier! You can call me Grier.” She thrust out a hand, overshot in her fluster, and accidentally grazed the woman’s breast. “Oh! Oh, my goddess! I’m so sorry!” Her face instantly turned a shade of crimson formerly thought only possible of the Kool-Aid Man.
What the hell was that? She was a professional. Sure, she usually worked on kids, but it’s not like she was a stranger to adults. Or beautiful women. But,damn. This captain took the idea of beautiful to a startling new level. Grier struggled to breathe around her. Here she was, trying to keep the rides from being canceled, yet somehow, she had just groped one of the pilots—who was also in pain. She swallowed the lump in her throat and shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts and hoping it looked more like embarrassment than anything else.
Was that a smirk in the corner of the captain’s eyes?Fuck. Those eyes. Grier was staring again.
“Do you wanna shake your head again?” the captain jabbed quietly.Double fuck.Was she that obvious?
“Huh? Oh. Sorry,” Grier cleared her throat, forcing herself to focus. She had to redirect this before she crashed and burned. “Tell me what’s going on.”