Page 11 of Fourteen of a Kind

“And your dad is ready to listen.” He smiled, walking over to the reception desk. “June, make sure Ms. Cologne gets an appointment in two weeks.”

“Will do, Nathan.”

“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go to my office.”

CHAPTER 4

Ella

“What brings you by?” my dad asked, sitting behind his desk.

“I received a call from Dr. Carter Bainbridge at Mount Sinai in New York. He wants me to give two lectures: one to a group of students entering the cardiothoracic program and another to a group entering the neurosurgery program.”

“Wow, Ella. That’s an honor. When does he want you in New York?”

“Next Thursday and Friday. I’ll leave on Wednesday. I’m also turning it into a mini vacation and staying a couple of extra days to explore New York City. It’s been a while.”

“By yourself?” His eyes narrowed.

“Dad, I’m twenty-two.”

“I know.” He put his hands up. “You know I worry. That will never change, no matter how old I am or how old you are. Did you talk to Uncle Christian about it?”

“Yeah. I came here right from the hospital. He’s going to make sure my shifts are covered.”

“Excellent.” He smiled. “Maybe I can clear my schedule.”

“Dad,” I narrowed my eyes. “You do surgeries on Fridays, and you’re not canceling on your patients because you worry like an old man.”

“Okay. Okay. I’ll tell Shaun, and he’ll make sure the plane is ready.”

“I really need this, Dad. It couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.”

“I know, sweetheart.”

The door opened, and my Uncle Jackson walked in.

“June told me you were here, Ella. I want to show you something in my office.”

“Okay, Uncle Jackson.”

“My little girl is giving lectures next Thursday and Friday to groups of medical students at Mount Sinai in New York.” My dad proudly grinned.

“Way to go, sweetheart. I’m proud of you.”

“One is for students who want to enter the neurosurgery program. Jealous, Jackson?”

“Really?” He cocked his head. “Hmm. I’ve given enough lectures over the years. It’s time to pass down the torch.” He winked at me, and I smiled.

“I’ll see you later, Dad.” I stood up from my seat and kissed his cheek.

I followed my Uncle Jackson to his office, where multiple brain scans were displayed on the large screen on the wall.

“My patient is a sixteen-year-old female who is slowly losing her vision. She’s had two seizures, extremely bad headaches, and nausea and vomiting every day.”

I stared at the scans. “My God. She has two ganglioglioma tumors?”

“Unfortunately,” he sighed.

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