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face. “Maybe write that all down.”

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“Okay,” I said with a laugh. “I’ll be home late. Bye,

Talon.”

I arrived at work early, as I always did. I liked to get

my census printed and organized before rounds started. ICU rounds could last about two hours, and I tried to be prepared. Neuro had really difficult cases. Most of our patients were here because of strokes or hemorrhages. Brains needed time, and hospitals were acute systems that didn’t always want to provide that time. That’s where I typically came in.

Highlights filled my census page as did scribbled

notes about discharge plans. Today was going to be busy, which meant rushing so I could make it to class later. Thank goodness I only had two more months of in-person classes before it was just about my dissertation.

As always, my morning flew by, and I was being

forced to lunch. Dre’s puff balls peeked over the heads in the cafeteria. Smiling, I sat next to one of my best friends. She shot me a tired smile. Before I could say ‘hi,’ Nat plopped down. Her normally sleek bob had flyaways everywhere. Both women looked exhausted.

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“No more week day hockey days,” Dre said, biting

into her slice of pizza. “Granted yesterday was probably a fluke.”

“I thought I’d be bailing someone out of jail.” Nat

swiped her hand through her hair. “People were ticked off. Davis was practically rabid. He nearly jumped on the ice.”

“I missed all that,” I mumbled, staring into my

bland salad and sandwich.

Dre snorted. “Yeah, too focused on lover boy. You

want details?”

“I’m not sure I do.” I waved at Dr. Bowie. He

approached our table, nodding at Dre and Nat. He was my favorite neurologist to work with and likely always would be.

“Aife, come see me when you’re done. There’s a

patient I need to discuss with you.”

“Will do, Dr. Bowie.”

Dre stared after the man once he had walked away.

“Weird and also kind of rude.”

“That’s just Bowie,” Nat said, “He’s a genius but

very odd. Back to the game.”