Hotshot Doc(65)

Matt follows my gaze and shakes his head, correctly guessing my thoughts.

“They don’t want an audience in the event that I fail.” He laughs sardonically. “In their opinion, the fewer witnesses the better.”

“Dr. Russell?” The anesthesiologist dips his head around the drape. “Is there a reason for the delay?”

We’ve already completed the time-out. There’s no reason for us to be standing here motionless, but then, I’m not Matt. I haven’t put my career on the line to take this case. I might have fought tooth and nail to be standing here with him, but if things go south, it’s not my name on that surgical board. It’s not me those parents will turn to, looking for good news about their daughter.

Matt clears his throat and glances up at the clock. “Right. If everyone is good to go, we’ll begin.” He reaches his hand out, palm up toward me. “Bailey, ten blade.”





I was the first one to meet June when her parents brought her into the hospital. Patricia needed to get back to the phones, and I was as good a point person as any. I was surprised by how happy she looked sitting in a wheelchair beside her parents. Happy and thin, her fragile frame seemed in danger of toppling over in a heavy wind, but there was a fierceness in her eyes that I could relate to.

I stood in that room while Matt explained to them the challenges he faced in performing the surgery. Not only did it come with a whole slew of risks, but on top of that, it would be extremely expensive.

After years of paying for cancer treatments by remortgaging their home, taking out loans, and maxing out credit cards, June’s parents weren’t in a position to offer much, but Matt was determined not to let that stop him.

On top of all that, we still had the hospital to contend with. Back in his office, Matt, Patricia, and I worked tirelessly, trying to come up with a solution that wouldn’t involve Matt being slapped with a lawsuit from the hospital. I could tell he was at his wit’s end, so I spoke up, throwing out a simple, ruthless suggestion.

“Why don’t the other doctors and the legal team meet her? They’re the ones who don’t want to do the surgery. Why should you have to be the one to tell her no? Make them do it.”

It took some convincing, but between Patricia and me, we wrangled the three surgeons into the conference room. Dr. Goddard was the easiest to sway, though technically I did promise him it would just be him and me in there and maybe there were some suggestive hand gestures I’m not proud of.

Matt gathered everyone else, including the head of the surgical department, the person who really could make or break it for us.

I’d warned June what it might be like, that even after pleading her case, the hospital might still say no, but I soon realized I’d underestimated her sheer will to overcome the obstacles life had thrown at her.

Matt and I stood outside the conference room with her parents. June had requested to speak to the other doctors in private, a feat I’m not sure I’d have had the courage to do if I were her.

I watched as those eight men sat silently, listening as one brave girl fought for her right to have this surgery. I watched as tears gathered in her eyes, but they never fell. She spoke bravely, keeping it together just long enough to win her case.

When all three of the surgeons walked out of that room, I knew she’d convinced them to change their minds. I knew it even before Dr. Richards sighed and before Dr. Goddard lifted his head and offered Matt a resigned glare.

The head of the surgical department was the last person to leave, and he said simply, “I won’t let the hospital eat the cost of this surgery.”

“I never said it would,” Matt said calmly, aware of how close he was to winning. “I already have a team in place, willing to work for free. I’ll cover the cost of supplies and any devices used during the procedure.”

He shook his head and brushed past us, defeated.

I wanted to punch the air. Instead, I turned to Matt at the exact moment he turned to me, both our eyes saying, HOLY SHIT! WE DID IT! and in that moment, I could have flung my arms around his neck and kissed him senseless.





June’s surgery is long and meticulous. I’ve endured difficult surgeries with Matt before, but this is different. I’ve never seen him so tense. His attention to detail is only surpassed by his inability to trust himself. I can see it in the way he rolls his shoulders and when he tilts his head from side to side, as if trying to loosen himself up. He’s let everyone’s doubt seep into his head. He’s worried about making a mistake. I want to shake him and remind him who he is: Dr. Matthew C. Russell, a freaking superhero if I’ve ever seen one!

Instead, I stay quiet and focused. If something goes wrong, it won’t be because of me.

Six hours in, he insists I take a break and eat something. I want to protest, but I don’t want to waste any of his time or energy arguing, so I do as I’m told and let another surgical assistant take over for me. Matt doesn’t get a break though. Even if he could, I don’t think he would take one. This is what he was made to do, what he’s trained his body to endure. He won’t leave that operating room until June does.

After I run to the bathroom and scarf down a protein bar, I pass June’s parents in the waiting room. I can’t speak with them, though I wish I could. June’s mom catches sight of me and I offer her a small smile. I don’t linger long, but it’s still enough time for things to go sideways in the operating room. As I step back out of the elevator, I hear curses and shouts and then I realize it’s Matt yelling from down the hall.