“Love it,” I say automatically.
“Have you thought about getting an advanced degree, say a masters of science in nursing, and becoming a nursing instructor?”
“Not really.”
“Well, I have a great opportunity for you—there’s going to be a new teaching position available soon at Blackwell Nursing School. While you’re a wonderful nurse, you have a definite knack forteaching. I think you’d be an ideal candidate for the vacancy. Just think about it.”
Teaching? This option has never even occurred to me, and yet, a sense of rightness settles in my chest. “I will.”
Not only that—I feel…proud. Before now, I rarely felt that way—especially not about my chosen career. Despite my heart knowing nursing was the right choice, I've sometimes still wondered if I left med school because I wasn’t good enough to make it.
But then, I hear my mom’s voice in my head:You’ve always been adept at instructing others.
And Wyatt’s:Nursing is the perfect job for you. No matter what anyone says.
And Lucy’s:For what it’s worth, I think changing over to nursing suits you in the best way possible.
Even at the beginning, she believed in me.
Maybe I’ve been the one who couldn’t see it.
And then it clicks—for real this time.
I didn’t leave med school because I couldn’t handle it. I left because I finally understood what kind of healer I wanted to be.
“Thank you so much,” I say out loud.
“Of course. And let’s set up a meeting for a month from now to talk about the details of a mentoring program.”
After I leave her office, I’m buoyed by the conversation. There are so many opportunities within nursing that even I didn’t know about. Suddenly, I feel sorry for my dad, being solocked into his own prejudices that he can’t see anything outside of his purview. There’s a whole world out there, and he’s missing out.
I’m determined not to.
The first person I want to tell is Lucy, but I can’t. Still, I’ll see her again tomorrow at theBlackwell Timesoffice.
Almost against my will, a surge of hope rises inside me. Today feels like the first few notes of a brand new melody—one that promises a brighter future for me, and maybe…if I’m lucky…one that I get to share with Lucy.
Chapter forty-two
Lucy
The next day, I’m sitting in theBlackwell Timesoffice with Ian’s sister, Sophia Thompson, while Ian and Jake wait outside.
I’m still reeling from the past 24 hours—so much has happened. The meeting with Trix, finding out about Weston’s sordid past, and then punching him in the face.
Damn, that felt good.
And Jake. The moment I slid into the booth at Bill’s, I wanted to touch him so badly. And during ourwalk afterwards, I thought we were having a moment—maybe even making our way back together. But then he had to rush to work, and I felt disoriented once again.
Just now, I only had time to greet him briefly at the entrance before making my way into the office to meet with Sophia.
Even though this meeting is an important part of taking my voice back—I only want to sing with Jake.
But Sophia, with her sunny smile and adorable freckles smattered across her nose, immediately puts me at ease. You can tell Sophia and Ian are related—they are both so happy, optimistic, and all-American. The siblings could have come straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting.
Despite her bubbly nature, Sophia clearly knows what she’s doing as she brings out her notepad, a list of questions, and a tape recorder. Her movements are brisk and confident like she’s done this a million times before.
“Is it okay if I record this?” Sophia asks me, organizing her supplies on the otherwise immaculate table in front of us.
