"Your patients have been reassigned," she said. "I need your badge."
"Why?"
"You married an 18-year-old patient and now stand to inherit her money." She clenched her jaw. "What the hell were you thinking?"
"But I transferred her care..."
"I need your badge."
"Marrying a patient crosses a professional boundary. Transferring her care didn't erase that."
"Am I losing my job?"
"That's what the review has to determine."
She held out her hand.
I unclipped my badge and gave it to her.
"You married an 18-year-old patient."
***
At home, I finally unfolded Alicia's note.
Grandma had left each sister money for school and a fresh start.
You told me you worked your way through school. Everyone calls you lucky to be a doctor. I don't think they know what it cost.
I felt seen in a way I hadn't felt before.
I finally unfolded Alicia's note.
