Page 20 of A Place Like You

“We need to make a quick stop at the clinic before heading back home. Is that alright with you?” I ask, gently stealing a glance at him through the rearview mirror.

Milo nods eagerly, his trusting nature shining through in every gesture. He’s the epitome of an easygoing child, except when it comes to lunchtime. For some inexplicable reason, he has an aversion to having lunch or taking naps, making it quite a challenge to persuade him when he’s not at school.

I’m lucky that today I don’t have to deal with that part of his day. Charles, Piper, or her parents found a way to convince him that eating was a perfectly normal thing to do. I’ll text them later to check if he took a nap today.

When we arrive at the clinic, I spot Drake shaking the hand of Mr. Romano, the cable guy who lives in the next town over. Once the clinic is empty, my little boy takes a step forward, his curiosity getting the better of him. “Who are you?” Milo asks with a hint of suspicion in his eyes.

Drake squats down to his level, extending his hand in greeting. “My name is Drake. And you are?” His tone is surprisingly warm and inviting.

“Milo,” my son responds, shaking his hand, trying to sound like the old soul he is.

“Nice shake. If you were applying for a job, I’d hire you on the spot,” Drake remarks, his voice tinged with playful admiration.

“That’d be silly,” Milo laughs. “I’m not a doctor.”

“You’re right.” Drake laughs along.

“Is everything okay?” I ask.

“Yeah,” Drake confirms with a reassuring smile. “I discharged the last two patients. You know what would be more convenient?”

I stare at him, my brow furrowing in confusion. Maybe I’m still tired, I reason. And to prove my point, an involuntary yawn escapes my lips—again.

“Did you manage to get any sleep?” Drake asks.

“A few hours,” I admit, the weariness seeping into my voice.

“Have you had lunch already?”

Milo crosses his arms defiantly, his gaze fixed on Drake, as if ready to challenge his words.

“Is that a yes or a no?” Drake asks, confused and probably a little afraid of Milo’s reaction.

I can’t help but smile while saying, “Well, Milo doesn’t eat lunch unless he’s at school.”

“As a doctor, I can tell you that skipping meals isn’t good for your body,” Drake explains professionally.

Milo crosses his arms, his eyes locked in a silent battle of wills with Drake. “Dinosaurs didn’t eat lunch.”

Drake shakes his head, a playful smile playing on his lips. “Who are your sources, buddy? You can’t just drop facts without full research.” He clears his throat and then begins to count on his fingers. “Dinosaurs ate five times a day—I know because I’m a doctor.”

“Five times?” Milo pinches his lips, not liking where this is going.

“Breakfast”—Drake begins, holding up one finger—“snack, lunch, snack, and dinner. It’s the only way they got to be so strong.”

Milo looks at me, seeking confirmation, and I nod in agreement. While I’m no paleontologist, it’s common knowledge that dinosaurs needed to eat to sustain themselves. We simply won’t delve into the intricacies of their meal schedule or dietary preferences—again. One time was enough, but what if Drake convinces him that fish is good for him?

And with newfound conviction, Milo glances at me. “I need lunch, please,” he says, interrupting my plans on how to get him to eat a different variety of food. Ham and cheese squares for lunch are beginning to get too tedious.

“Did you eat at Finn’s place?”

He nods. “Yes, but I want to grow strong.”

“Let me get you a snack from my office and check on a couple of patients before we go home and figure out your meals,” I suggest, already planning the next steps in my mind.

“As I mentioned, all the patients were discharged earlier today,” Drake states.

“All of them?”

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