Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
MAGNOLIA
That night, I sat on my bed, phone pressed to my ear, as I broke the news to my clerkship director. Man, I wished Dad wasn’t currently stationed in Italy. He would’ve ripped Topher to pieces.
“Maggie,” Dr. Pennington said with a frustrated sigh.
“We’ve never had a problem with Seddledowne Family Practice before.
They’re one of our oldest—and best—partners.
If we go in there guns blazing, accusing Dr. Adams’s son of sexual harassment…
” She didn’t need to finish. I got it. “Look,” she said, calmer.
“I’m not saying we shouldn’t make a formal complaint.
I’m just saying it’s going to be a real headache if we do.
Are you positive he’s been sabotaging you? Did he openly confess that?”
“No, ma’am.” I swallowed. “But I can’t even walk in through the staff entrance like everyone else without him hounding me,” I reminded her. I’d already told her about the password nonsense.
I could practically hear her rubbing her temples. “Do you feel unsafe? Do I need to get you out of there immediately?”
I hesitated, thinking about everything that would mean.
If they managed to find me another family medicine rotation—and that was a big if—it could be across the state, which meant paying for an apartment I couldn’t afford.
If there wasn’t an open slot right now, I’d be stuck waiting until one came up, almost certainly delaying my graduation.
But my biggest worry? A gap in my clerkship schedule would look terrible on my residency applications.
I didn’t need my classmates or the faculty to think I couldn’t handle a standard rotation.
“No,” I said to Dr. Pennington. “I think I can make it through. I just wanted to let you know…in case.”
“If you’re sure you’re safe…”
“Yes, ma’am.” I blew out my breath. “I’ll figure something out.”
“Do you keep pepper spray in your purse?” There was a brittle edge to her voice that said she thought it was a weak solution. “I don’t know. Maybe we should pull you.”
“Let’s give it another couple of days,” I said quickly.
“Okay,” she said, not sounding convinced. “We’ll reconnect in two days. But Maggie? If he blocks your entrance again, I’m going to have to say something to Dr. Adams, which might mean moving you somewhere else.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, praying for a literal miracle. “Understood.”
“Try to get some sleep.”
“Okay,” I said with forced cheer. “Thank you.”