: Chance

"beep" of monitoring equipment, hushed tones outside closed doors, and the acrid smell of antiseptic mixed with the chemical sweetness o

oard meeting in which half was spending cuts and the other half was bureaucratic jargon she'd been desensitizing herself to for de

business

e hospital, where s

ors and soothing egos. She is a doctor. A listen

orry Room 204. Emily Sullivan was a bit disturbed. Her pediatrician isn't here ye

nurse got the rest of the

borders that were not bodily. The air was scented with fabric softener, crayons, and a faint sterile

d giraffe. Legs dangled off the edge, mismatched fuzzy socks scrabbling on the floor as she gently sw

art softened a lit

re at eye level. "I'm Dr. Hayes, but just call me Charlotte, ok

moment, then shrugged ha

response. "Okay is a complicated word. It's like telling

in surprise. Then she

ffed giraffe looks like he'

ftly, stroking the giraffe's fraye

dressing royalty. "A brave giraffe. Mus

ildren at school said I do not have a mother. They said that w

he leaned a little closer, rest

ne strong but with a warmth to it. "But you kno

linked.

heir whole heart is more than a thou

"My dad says that too. That no matt

d tug in her chest. "Sounds like

ero," Emily whispered

r lab coat. "Don't tell anyone," she whispered in a mock co

e lollipop, holding i

widened. "Gra

endipity. You and me? W

ful touch of a child enjoying something precious. The purple candy disappeared

hen, and a familia

was slightly rumpled, clipboard tucked under

e. She sat beside his daughter, half-

. "Oh hi. Sorry, I didn't know you were her father.

nything left to s

ng up. His daughter.

She gave me candy, but I didn't say any

sheepishly. "I'm

lders. "Well, if ever there was a moment to get away w

et truly met and something

ng. Interes

Charlotte said, s

the bed. "She is brave

ecital." Charlotte glanced at

tough week. First, the asthma attack, and then that

replied gently. "But you're doing t

deliberately slower. "You sound lik

lied quietly. "

. "Daddy, Charlotte's hilari

er chair. "Emily, I officially elevate yo

get a badge?" Em

e what I

. "Thanks. For sticking by her. S

first," Charlotte said

se where something delicate and ne

arms in excitement. "C

nked. Aiden n

rained voice, "she's a doctor. We ca

eed a freelance giraffe smuggler or someone to

nned wide

mething unreadable in h

d a sigh. "I better return to the world of

aid Aiden a b

and leaned in. "Be brave,

the lollipop as if it wer

ng for one second longer on the father-

ngered there a bit longer, s

n his sleeve.

ebrow. "Why do

tare at cookies when you thin

corded. I'll work

p stick protruding from between her l

er hair and kissed t

mily Day would not be