Three Sisters

Dr. Harrington ran a family practice on the island. There was an urgent-care clinic open on weekends, but otherwise residents had to go to Dr. Harrington or visit the mainland to seek medical care. Given the demographics of the place—lots of families and within a couple of hours of Seattle—Andi had seen the need for a pediatrician. Now she was going to find out if she’d been right.

A pretty blonde with long, straight hair stepped out of one of the exam rooms. Andi recalled meeting her when she’d visited the island and had spoken with Dr. Harrington about working in the practice for a few months.

“Nina, right?”

The woman, in her early thirties and wearing light blue scrubs, smiled. “You remembered. Welcome, Dr. Gordon.”

“Andi, please.”

“Sure. Andi.”

Laura touched Nina’s arm. “We thought it would be easier for you to have one nurse assigned to you. Nina volunteered.”

“Ask me anything,” Nina told her. “I can tell you everything from where we keep the alcohol wipes to the best dry cleaner in town.”

“I’m going to need both,” Andi said.

Laura introduced her to the other nurses, then led her back to what would be her temporary office. It was a small windowless room with a desk and a computer.

“I know it’s not much,” Nina began.

“Not to worry,” Andi told her. “I won’t be here for very long. Anywhere to update my charts is fine.”

“And maybe a little internet shoe shopping while on break?”

Andi grinned. “Absolutely. So far I love everything about the island except the lack of retail.”

“If you want a magnet in the shape of a blackberry, I can get you a great deal.”

“Right now I don’t have a kitchen, so that will have to wait.”

“Just let me know when you’re ready.”

“I promise,” Andi told her.

She dropped her purse into the bottom drawer of the metal desk, then followed Nina across the hall to Dr. Harrington’s office.

The older man rose as she entered. “Thanks, Nina. Andi, so nice to see you again.”

“Nice to see you, Dr. Harrington.”

The gray-haired man shook her hand. “Ron, please.” He winked. “My father is Dr. Harrington.”

She took the seat on the visitor side of his desk while he settled back in his chair.

“My staff is getting you settled?” he asked.

“They are. I even have appointments.”

“You’ll be kept busy, that’s for sure. There’s enough work for all of us.”

“I appreciate you letting me work here through the summer.”

“I’m happy to have the help.” His blue eyes twinkled behind his glasses. “At least until my son joins me in September.” He leaned back in his chair and smiled. “My son, the doctor. That has a nice ring to it.”

“Yes, it does.”

“Did I mention Dylan graduated at the top of his class in medical school?”

Only about fifteen times, Andi thought as she smiled. “Did he? You must be so proud.”

“I am, as is his mother. He’s a smart boy. And a doctor.”

His pleasure in his son’s accomplishments was a good thing, Andi told herself. Some parents were thrilled when their children became doctors. For her, the path to being a pediatrician was slightly more treacherous. It wasn’t that her parents had a problem with the medical profession. They felt that her choice had been a waste of talent.

Why bother with “scraped knees and vaccinations,” as her mother had put it? Her mother, the cardiothoracic surgeon, felt Andi should have picked a more challenging specialty. Her father, the neurosurgeon, agreed. Andi’s brother was also a neurosurgeon and her sister was doing medical research that would probably cure cancer. Andi was considered a disappointment—a screwup, rather than the child who had lived up to her potential.

She shook off the voice of her mother and returned her attention to Ron, who explained how the practice worked.

“Nina will go over the schedule,” he was saying. “If you don’t mind, we’d like you to work a Saturday every three weeks. You’ll get a compensating day off.”

“That won’t be a problem,” she told him. “I know a lot of parents work, so getting to the doctor midweek can be difficult.”

“Good. Then Nina will show you where we keep everything.” He rose. “I thought you and I could go to lunch today. I can answer any questions you have.” He winked. “Show you pictures of my son’s graduation.”

“I’d like that.”

“Good.”

He shook her hand again. “We’re happy to have you, Andi.”

“I’m excited to be here.”

Nina was waiting in the hallway.

“All your appointments are routine,” Nina told her as they walked toward the rear of the building. “A physical for camp, a few vaccinations, a well-baby visit.”

“Sounds like my kind of day.”

Nina motioned for her to enter the door on the left. It was the break room, with several lockers, a table with six chairs around it. A window looked out onto the rear parking lot. But what had Andi feeling all warm and fuzzy inside was the bouquet of flowers next to a cake with the word Welcome spelled out in pink icing. All the nurses and staff were gathered around, waiting for her.

“Welcome to the island.”

“We should take you to lunch.”

The last statement came from Laura, the receptionist.

“I’d love that,” Andi said. “You don’t have to take me, but it would be fun to go as a group.”