Susan Mallery - Three Sisters

“Hi, Laura,” Andi said.

The other woman looked up and then jumped to her feet. “You’re here. We’re all so excited you’re starting today. You already have appointments, if you can believe it. When word got out a pediatrician was moving to the island, we started getting calls. Families are so excited.”

Laura motioned for her to come back. Andi walked through the door in the reception area and found herself in a long hallway.

The medical offices had once been a sprawling private residence. Bedrooms had been converted to examination rooms and offices.

“Everyone should be here already, so you can meet the staff. Dr. Harrington said he wanted to spend a few minutes with you before you get started.”

Dr. Harrington ran a family practice on the island. There was an urgent-care clinic open on weekends, but otherwise residents had to go to Dr. Harrington or visit the mainland to seek medical care. Given the demographics of the place—lots of families and within a couple of hours of Seattle—Andi had seen the need for a pediatrician. Now she was going to find out if she’d been right.

A pretty blonde with long, straight hair stepped out of one of the exam rooms. Andi recalled meeting her when she’d visited the island and had spoken with Dr. Harrington about working in the practice for a few months.

“Nina, right?”

The woman, in her early thirties and wearing light blue scrubs, smiled. “You remembered. Welcome, Dr. Gordon.”

“Andi, please.”

“Sure. Andi.”

Laura touched Nina’s arm. “We thought it would be easier for you to have one nurse assigned to you. Nina volunteered.”

“Ask me anything,” Nina told her. “I can tell you everything from where we keep the alcohol wipes to the best dry cleaner in town.”

“I’m going to need both,” Andi said.

Laura introduced her to the other nurses, then led her back to what would be her temporary office. It was a small windowless room with a desk and a computer.

“I know it’s not much,” Nina began.

“Not to worry,” Andi told her. “I won’t be here for very long. Anywhere to update my charts is fine.”

“And maybe a little internet shoe shopping while on break?”

Andi grinned. “Absolutely. So far I love everything about the island except the lack of retail.”

“If you want a magnet in the shape of a blackberry, I can get you a great deal.”

“Right now I don’t have a kitchen, so that will have to wait.”

“Just let me know when you’re ready.”

“I promise,” Andi told her.

She dropped her purse into the bottom drawer of the metal desk, then followed Nina across the hall to Dr. Harrington’s office.

The older man rose as she entered. “Thanks, Nina. Andi, so nice to see you again.”

“Nice to see you, Dr. Harrington.”

The gray-haired man shook her hand. “Ron, please.” He winked. “My father is Dr. Harrington.”

She took the seat on the visitor side of his desk while he settled back in his chair.

“My staff is getting you settled?” he asked.

“They are. I even have appointments.”

“You’ll be kept busy, that’s for sure. There’s enough work for all of us.”

“I appreciate you letting me work here through the summer.”

“I’m happy to have the help.” His blue eyes twinkled behind his glasses. “At least until my son joins me in September.” He leaned back in his chair and smiled. “My son, the doctor. That has a nice ring to it.”

“Yes, it does.”

“Did I mention Dylan graduated at the top of his class in medical school?”

Only about fifteen times, Andi thought as she smiled. “Did he? You must be so proud.”

“I am, as is his mother. He’s a smart boy. And a doctor.”

His pleasure in his son’s accomplishments was a good thing, Andi told herself. Some parents were thrilled when their children became doctors. For her, the path to being a pediatrician was slightly more treacherous. It wasn’t that her parents had a problem with the medical profession. They felt that her choice had been a waste of talent.

Why bother with “scraped knees and vaccinations,” as her mother had put it? Her mother, the cardiothoracic surgeon, felt Andi should have picked a more challenging specialty. Her father, the neurosurgeon, agreed. Andi’s brother was also a neurosurgeon and her sister was doing medical research that would probably cure cancer. Andi was considered a disappointment—a screwup, rather than the child who had lived up to her potential.

She shook off the voice of her mother and returned her attention to Ron, who explained how the practice worked.

“Nina will go over the schedule,” he was saying. “If you don’t mind, we’d like you to work a Saturday every three weeks. You’ll get a compensating day off.”

“That won’t be a problem,” she told him. “I know a lot of parents work, so getting to the doctor midweek can be difficult.”

“Good. Then Nina will show you where we keep everything.” He rose. “I thought you and I could go to lunch today. I can answer any questions you have.” He winked. “Show you pictures of my son’s graduation.”

“I’d like that.”

“Good.”

He shook her hand again. “We’re happy to have you, Andi.”

“I’m excited to be here.”

Nina was waiting in the hallway.

“All your appointments are routine,” Nina told her as they walked toward the rear of the building. “A physical for camp, a few vaccinations, a well-baby visit.”

“Sounds like my kind of day.”

Nina motioned for her to enter the door on the left. It was the break room, with several lockers, a table with six chairs around it. A window looked out onto the rear parking lot. But what had Andi feeling all warm and fuzzy inside was the bouquet of flowers next to a cake with the word Welcome spelled out in pink icing. All the nurses and staff were gathered around, waiting for her.

“Welcome to the island.”

“We should take you to lunch.”

The last statement came from Laura, the receptionist.

“I’d love that,” Andi said. “You don’t have to take me, but it would be fun to go as a group.”

The other women all looked at each other. Nina glanced at her. “Really? Because we weren’t sure. What with you being a doctor and all.”

“I still like lunch,” Andi said with a smile. “And company. I’d enjoy the chance to get to know all of you.”

“Then it’s a date,” Laura said firmly, reaching for a knife. “Tomorrow. I know Dr. H is taking you out today.” She cut the first piece of cake and slid it onto a plate. “God, I love it when my day starts with a really big sugar rush.”

By five minutes to nine, Andi had finished her slice of cake and a second cup of coffee. She was already on her way to a very nice caffeine-sugar buzz. Not exactly the breakfast she would recommend to her patients, but this was a special occasion.

Nina stuck her head in the office. “Carly and Gabby Williams are in exam room four. That’s the one you’ll mostly be using.”

Andi stood and smoothed the front of her white coat. “I’m ready,” she said, reaching for the chart.

Nina walked with her. “Gabby’s ten, in good health. She’s going to summer camp in a few weeks, and the camp requires a current physical.”

“Okay.” Andi stopped in front of the closed door and drew in a breath.

Nerves danced in formation while she told herself that she would be fine. Her patients were the best part of her day. She knocked once, then stepped into the examination room.

“Hi,” she said. “I’m Dr. Andi Gordon.” She smiled at the mother and daughter. “Nice to meet you both.”

“Carly Williams,” the mother said.