Nicole was in the consultation room. I shuffled toward the bathroom, hands shaking, every instinct screaming that I needed to see what I wasn’t supposed to.
The small frosted window above the sink gave me just enough view.
I saw Nurse Lindsay hand Nicole a manila envelope.
I saw Nicole open it.
I saw her face change.
Shock first.
Then something else.
Satisfaction.
Relief.
Tears welled in her eyes, but these weren’t tears of fear or grief. These were tears of someone who had just gotten confirmation.
Then Dr. Mercer walked in, closed the door, and sat beside her.
His hand covered hers.
His thumb brushed her knuckles.
I vomited into the sink.
Back in the recovery bed, I texted Brandon Walsh.
I need you. Something’s very wrong.
He replied instantly.
Where are you? UCHealth?
