Page 34 of Falling for Ezra Thomas
“Still, it can’t be easy. I’m not trying to come between you.”
“You’re not coming between anything. The four of us will be besties until death. You won’t shake Beck and me.”
“Besties until death? You make that sound like a horror show, honestly,” I tease, but I know what she’s saying. She and Beck will share things that Ezra won’t be a part of, and he’s okay with that. And if things really do work out with Ezra and me, we’ll have that same bond…and I’m happy to know Vivien is okay with it too.
“Eh, well, you know what I mean. Now, how do we convince Mrs. Thomas that Ezra’s not going to run off and become some kind of super soldier without her blessing?” she asks.
“I feel like that’s something you should tackle. I broke the news, now you should go fix it.” I wave towards the mothers, praying Mrs. Thomas can see things from her son’s point of view.
“I still can’t believe what you told us this afternoon,” Mom says before slowly sipping her tea. “I mean, on one hand I’ve always known what a hard-working team player Ezra is, but to be encouraged to apply for—oh, I don’t even want to think about it.” She shakes her head as if it’s her child considering a career where putting his life in danger regularly is just another day on the job. In some ways, I suppose it is.
“Honey, it’s hard enough on Lorelai to consider that without—”
“No, no, it’s okay, Dad. I understand why Mom is so upset. I expected it, and trust me, there’s nothing she can say that would make it any harder for me to process.”
Beck, Vivien, and I joined Mom and Dad for dinner, which is proving to be an extended conversation about what we all think Ezra should do. However, despite him wanting to include his family in his decision-making process, I think he should do what he’s inclined to do. After all, he joined because he felt compelled to do so. If applying to be a Ranger and going through many more grueling weeks of training is what he wants, who am I to tell him no?
Vivien glances at me. “I hate to say this, but I think the main reason he’s holding off on making a decision is because so many people got mad at him for joining the Army to begin with.”
“I was in shock and mad that he didn’t tell anyone, not that he joined,” Beck says.
“I know, but the argument you said you had with him was intense, and he probably doesn’t want that again.” She runs her hand over his arm, freshly out of a cast. He clasps her hand and smiles, though it’s forced and as weak as my stomach feels.
“It would be best if we supported him and if there is a reason anyone thinks he shouldn’t, we should probably talk it out rather than bombard him with our concerns.” Dad’s pragmatic approach is probably right, since most of our concerns will stem from fear and selfish desire to have him safe at home. “We need to consider what Ezra’s life will be like either way and try not to be selfish.”
Mom sighs and rests her fork on the edge of her plate. “I’mnottrying to be selfish, but you try comforting one of your best friends when all she can think about is…well, you know.” She’s referring to Mrs. Thomas falling apart at the bridal shop and she glances at Dad with a somewhat scolding glare.
He sighs. The tension is killing me, so when my phone rings, I startle. “Who could that be?” I glance and don’t recognize the number. It’s not the area code Ezra said to watch for, so I don’t suspect it’s him…but it’s still a Georgia area code. “Will you excuse me?”
I don’t wait for anyone to respond before leaving the dining room. In the off chance that it is Ezra, I don’t want to miss it. When I reach the privacy of the guest bedroom that used to be my childhood room, I close the door and answer.
“Hello?”
“Lorelai Mays? This is Dr. Esposito at the University of Georgia.” My heart sinks that it isn’t Ezra, but I’m also intrigued as to why one of my former college professors has called me.
“Yes, this is Lorelai. How are you Dr. Esposito?”
“I’m doing well, thank you, but I hear you recently quit your position at Chatswain Emergency Veterinary Care. CEVC is a prominent office in the southeast, Lorelai. What happened?”
I swallow hard and remember he was the doctor who helped me get the job that almost killed me. As I run down the list of reasons why I left CEVC, I start to wonder if I overreacted. I was tired, run down, and needed a break. Still, what’s done is done, and I highly doubt I can go back. I’m still not sure I want to.
“I had no idea these were concerns. My colleagues will be disappointed to know the working conditions are not what we hoped for such a large scale and well-known practice.”
“Can I ask how you heard?” I hold my breath, wondering just how blacklisted I might be.
He chuckles. “Let’s just say, one of the doctors hoped I could convince you to return. Things don’t run as smoothly without, shall we say, doctors who are amicable to the public?”
“Ah, gotcha. He ran out of nice doctors and the clients hate what’s left. Got it.” I’m also not at all surprised.
“Nevertheless, I can’t see how they can right a ship quite as wrong as that one based on what you’ve told me. This brings me to the next topic I wanted to discuss with you. I have a position open for an assistant in the surgical department. I know it isn’t exactly what you planned, but you were one of my favorite students, Lorelai. If you want the position, the job is yours.”
“You mean at the teaching hospital?” I ask, my hands shaking from utter shock.
“Of course. You would be the liaison between the patients’ owners and the staff, but you’ll have many hours of hands-on work with the patients as well. You don’t have to answer right away, as I know it will mean relocating for you. Think about it and let me know next week what you think. I’ll email you the official contract to look over, which lists things like benefits and salary.”
“Oh, wow,” I whisper, unable to form coherent sentences. “I appreciate the offer, thank you, Dr. Esposito.”
“Of course, Lorelai. I appreciate your dedication to veterinary medicine and your hard-working attitude.”
