Page 12 of Hello Doctor

She seemed to consider it. But at least she didn’t argue any more. “Am I getting paid for this?” she asked after a minute.

“Sure. If you’re good help today, I’ll give you ten dollars.”

“Fifteen,” she replied.

I had to laugh. “You’re a good negotiator. Sure. If you work extra hard, I’ll give you fifteen and a milkshake.”

She smiled smugly. But I was the happy one.

I’d learned something new: Maya Madigan was motivated, at least a little bit, by money.

8

Fletcher

I had trouble focusing all morning at work after the terrible morning at home. I kept waiting for a call from Liv to tell me that she couldn’t deal with Maya anymore and worried about what I’d do if it didn’t work out.

But it was past one now, and Liv still hadn’t called. In between patients, I stepped into the backyard, which Doctor Deb had designed to be a meditation garden of sorts with blooming wildflowers, and paced along the gravel trail as I dialed Liv’s number.

After a few rings, she picked up, and I could hear wind come through the phone. But no screaming. “Everything okay?” I asked. “How’s it going.”

“Your daughter’s crazy with a shovel,” Liv said, giggling. “Back up, Shia LeBeouf!”

“What does that mean?” Maya called in the background.

I laughed at the oddity of it. “What? Why does she have a shovel?”

“I put her to work at Tyler and Henrietta’s apartment building... I hope that’s okay.”

“It’s totally fine as long as she’s safe,” I said. “She is safe, right?”

Liv chuckled. “It was a little touch and go this morning, but she’s perfectly fine now. Want us to swing by the clinic when we get done here? We can grab a shake for you from the diner or something.”

I grinned, overjoyed at the news. “That would be great. I completely forgot to pack a lunch and we had a walk-in at noon, so I didn’t have time to eat.”

“Great,” she said. “Do you want to talk to Maya?”

“Please,” I said.

There were a few mumbled words, and then my daughter’s voice came through the phone. “Hi, Daddy.”

“Hey, honeybee. How are you doing?”

“Good. Henrietta let me make a mud pie!”

I grinned. “And you and Liv are getting along?”

Maya grunted a little bit.

At least it wasn’t a no.

“I’ll see you in a few hours, okay? Have Liv call me if you want to talk about anything,” I said.

She didn’t say goodbye, just gave the phone back to Liv.

“Hello?” Liv said.

“Hey, thank you again. I mean it; call me if you need anything.”

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