Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
E lla
I went to the dance studio, changed my clothes, and put on my pointe shoes. Room three was open, so I played classical music and danced across the floor. Ballet, music, and painting were the only things that calmed and cleared my mind.
“You’re a natural.” My mom smiled as she stood in the doorway. “I heard you were here.”
I turned off the music and hugged her. “You were in class when I got here.”
“Dancing your troubles away?” she asked.
“Yeah. Something like that.” I smiled.
She placed her finger under my chin. “Chin up, my sweet girl. It only gets better from here. I promise.” She smiled. “I have another class to teach. I’ll see you later. I love you.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
“Keep dancing like the magnificent dancer you are.” She winked.
I danced for another hour and went home. Grabbing my surfboard, I ran down to the beach, put it in the water, and paddled out.
“You want some company?” I heard someone shout.
Turning around, I saw Nora standing at the shoreline with her board under her arm.
“Get in here!” I smiled. “Why aren’t you in school?” I asked as she paddled up next to me.
“I didn’t feel like going today. I told Simon and Grace I was sick.” She smiled.
“I take it they’re not home.”
“Simon’s at work, and Grace is out running errands. Besides, they know the healing properties of the ocean.” She smiled. “Let’s catch some waves.”
Nora and I surfed for a while and took our boards out of the water. When I looked over, I saw Grace heading toward us.
“Uh, oh,” I said.
“Nora, you said you were sick,” Grace approached us with her hands on her hips.
“I am, but you know the healing properties of the ocean, Grace. You’re the one who always told me that the salt water makes everything better. I’m trying to feel better.”
“You’re full of shit.” She smiled. “Go back to the house and change before your brother gets home. You know how he feels about you playing hooky. In fact, you know how all of your brothers and your sister feel.”
“I’ll talk to you later, Ella.” Nora hugged me.
“See ya, Nora.” I smiled.
“How are you, sweetheart?” Grace asked.
“You know what, Grace? I’m okay.”
“That’s my girl.” She hugged me. “You’re a Kind, and you’re strong. Nothing keeps us down for too long. I’ll see you later, honey.”
I walked back to my house. When I opened the sliding door, I heard my phone ringing. I picked it up from the kitchen island and noted it was a call from Mount Sinai in New York.
“Hello.”
“Is this Dr. Ella Kind?” a man’s voice asked.
“Yes. This is she.”
“Dr. Kind, my name is Dr. Carter Bainbridge. I’m the director of education at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. I would like to invite you to give lectures to two groups of our finest medical students who will be entering the cardiothoracic and neurosurgery programs. With your knowledge and expertise, I think you would be a great asset to the students.”
“Thank you, Dr. Bainbridge. What are the dates?”
“Next Thursday and Friday.”
“I’m scheduled to work those days at Cedars. Let me talk to my Uncle Christian and get back to you.”
“Excellent, Dr. Kind. I look forward to hearing from you. Have a nice day.”
“You too, Dr. Bainbridge.”
I set my phone down and smiled. Getting out of Los Angeles for a few days would be great therapy. After changing out of my bathing suit, I threw my hair up in a ponytail, put on some makeup, and headed to the hospital. When I walked into my Uncle Christian’s office, he was on the phone but waved at me to come in.
“Hey, sweetheart. Why are you here? It’s your day off.”
“I received a call from Dr. Carter Bainbridge earlier.”
“From Mount Sinai in New York?” His brow arched.
“Yeah. He wants me to give a lecture to a group of medical students who are entering the cardiothoracic and neurosurgery programs.”
“That’s excellent, Ella.” A smile crossed his face. “When does he want you out there?”
“Next Thursday and Friday.”
“Okay. I’ll make sure your shifts here are covered.”
“Thank you, Uncle Christian. I really need this. I think getting out of L.A. for a few days will do me some good.”
“A few days? The lectures are only two days.”
“I’m off next weekend, so I’m turning it into a mini-vacation. It’s been a while since I’ve been to New York, so I want to visit some museums and Central Park.”
“I’m not sure how your dad will feel about you doing that alone in New York City.” His brow arched.
“I’m not a child, Uncle Christian. I can take care of myself.”
“You don’t need to convince me of that. It’s your dad you need to convince.” He smirked.
“My dad will be fine.” I stood from my chair, walked over, and hugged him. “Thanks for covering my shifts. I’m really excited about this.”
“It’s an honor to be selected to give the lectures. You’ve made quite the impression at hospitals nationwide, young lady.”
“I’ll see you later. Oh, by the way.” I stopped before I reached the door. “Thank you for having my back.”
“If you mean taking care of the situation with Dr. Piazza and Nurse Penelope, you’re very welcome. You know I’ll always have your back, sweetheart.” He winked.
After I left the hospital, I drove to the medical center to see my dad. When I stepped out of the elevator to the second floor, I saw Ava heading toward me.
“Ella, how are you?” She hugged me.
“I’m okay, Ava. What are you doing here?”
Her grip around me tightened. “I’m going to find that cheating son-of-a-bitch and that whore of a nurse and kick their asses until they turn black and blue. A little hospital stay never hurt anyone.”
I broke our embrace and gripped her shoulders. “Hi, Kate.” I grinned.
“You, sweet girl, need revenge, and I’m the perfect person to do it for you.”
“It’s okay, Kate. I’m okay. He isn’t worth it, and neither is Penelope. Now, why are you out?”
“We had an appointment with Charlotte. Ava tried to stop me when she saw you, but I pushed through. I love you, kid, and nobody hurts the people I love.”
“You are so sweet, and I love you too. But I’m okay.” I smiled, staring at her.
Her eyes closed and reopened.
“She was out, wasn’t she?”
“Yeah.” I grinned. “It’s okay. You know I love you and all of them. She’s just trying to protect me.”
She glanced at her watch. “Shit. I’m going to be late for a meeting with a client. I have to run. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye, Ava.” I smiled.
I opened the door to my dad and uncle’s practice and stepped inside.
“Ella, honey. How are you?” June smiled.
“I’m good, June. Is my dad busy with a patient?”
“He is at the moment, but that’s his last patient for a couple of hours.”
“Hey, cousin.” Isabella smiled, walked over, and we hugged.
“Hey, Bella. I didn’t know you were here today.”
“I had a half day of school.”
“She’s been a big help around here.” June smiled.
“Have you told your dad that you’re considering becoming a psychologist instead of an orthopedic surgeon?” I whispered.
“No. Not yet. He’s going to be so hurt.”
“He’ll be fine. He wants you to do what makes you happy. Look at me. I didn’t get into plastics like my dad, and he was good with it.”
“Will you be there when I tell him?” she asked.
“You bet.” I hooked my arm around her. “Besides, there’s still time for Anna to want to get into orthopedics.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for. I don’t want to disappoint him,” she said.
“You could never disappoint him.” I smiled.
“Ah, two of my favorite girls.” My Uncle Conner grinned, walking over to us.
“I knew I was always your favorite, Daddy.” Bella wrapped her arm around him.
“I love you and your sister equally, Bella. You know that. Hey, sweetheart.” He kissed my cheek. “What brings you by?”
“I need to talk to my dad.”
“And your dad is ready to listen.” He smiled, walking over to the reception desk. “June, make sure Ms. Cologne gets an appointment in two weeks.”
“Will do, Nathan.”
“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go to my office.”