Mitch had just entered the kitchen, heading for the coffee pot, when the phone rang. “Branston residence, Mitch speaking.”

Hi Mitch. Day off?

“Meghan! Hey there! Yeah, day two of three. How are you doing?”

I’m okay, but a bit sad. I just helped with an emergency here at my apartment complex. Mind if I come over? I’d love to have a shoulder to lean on as I have a pity party.

Mitch nodded as he held the phone to his ear. “You’re always welcome, Meghan. Come on over, I’ll brew some more coffee, and you can tell me all about it. You’re physically doing okay?”

Thanks Mitch, I appreciate it. And yes, I’m fine. Vitals are all within normal limits – I checked once I got back to my apartment.

“Well, come on over. Kelsey gets off around 5, and we’ll go for some dinner.”

Sounds like a plan. I’ll see you soon. Meghan hung up the phone, grabbed her purse and knitting, and headed for her car.

Mitch heard the car door shut and met Meghan at the front door. “Come in Meghan! I’ve got coffee ready in the kitchen.”

Meghan set her purse down on the foyer table. “Thanks, Mitch. Coffee would be good.” She followed him into the kitchen and fixed herself a cup before settling in her favorite spot on the couch in the living room.

“Always happy to see my favorite sister-in-law, but what brings you by? You mentioned an emergency,” Mitch asked, sipping on his cup. He settled in his recliner.

“Well, you know the pool is next to my apartment building?” Mitch nodded. “A teenager decided to ignore the do-not-dive signs and jumped in. He hit his head on the bottom. Jerry called me and said that he has a subdural hematoma and prognosis wasn’t good.” Meghan sighed and set her coffee down.

“That’s a tough one,” Mitch sympathized. “I’m guessing you were out there to help until EMS arrived?”

Meghan nodded. “Yeah. I heard people shouting for help and rushed down there. Did what I could with no equipment, then got him on a backboard and packaged when the fire crew showed up. I did what I could, and I’m satisfied with that. It’s just that an 18-year-old kid may not make it because of a poor choice. It’s not an easy thing to just shove out of your mind, if you know what I mean.”

Mitch got up and sat on the couch. He gave her a hug. “I know exactly what you mean, and those are the kinds of patients that tend to haunt us. But you can’t change someone’s decision, poor or not. Just be happy that you did what you could and let it go.”

Meghan smiled. “See? That’s why I wanted to talk with you. You’ve faced this stuff, too.” She reached for her coffee again.

Mitch returned to his recliner and his own cup. “Anytime, Meghan. Least I can do for you.” He took a swallow of his coffee. “Aside from this call, how are you doing?”

“Well, I think I’m doing well. I saw Dr. Woodruff last week, and he thinks we’ve got meds pretty well regulated now. He wants me to wait another month or two before we think about my going back on the ambulance, but I’m cleared to teach. Teacher workshops are next week, and then classes start the week after. I’ve got to get to the classroom this week – our supply room needs a serious going-over, and I need to order some new supplies.” Meghan sighed, thinking of that job, a never-ending one during class time to keep straightened up.

Mitch chuckled. “I’m glad I’m not in charge of inventory at the ER – we’d always be out of something. Bob is the organization genius who keeps us supplied.” He took another sip of coffee. “So you and Fred are coteaching both of the EMT classes again this semester, if I remember right?”

Meghan nodded. “It worked out well last semester, and since everyone – myself included – is still a little paranoid about my health at the moment, just seemed to be the best option to put all minds at ease. I’m not trying to borrow trouble, just mitigate it.”

Mitch smiled. “I think you’ll be fine. Fred seems like a good guy – it’s been good working with him on the occasions he brings someone into the ER. Is he still trying to recruit you to teach the medic classes?”

Meghan laughed. “Oh, he’s been full-court press trying to get me to teach full-time. As is our boss, Mark, at the college. But that means I’d be off the ambulance except for a rare pick-up shift, and I’m not ready for that yet. Especially since Dr. Woodruff thinks that riding the rig is still a possibility for me.” She took a sip of her coffee. “I don’t know how Stan made the transition as he did. I’m still waking up when sirens pass the apartment, thinking I missed the radio tones dropping. I’m not ready to give that up.”

Mitch smiled kindly. “It’s in your blood, to be a paramedic. I’m glad you’ve got the classes to keep you busy while you’ve had to lay low the last few months.”

“Yes, they’ve helped a lot,” Meghan agreed.

After a few more minutes of small talk, Mitch excused himself to his office for some paperwork, while Meghan pulled out her knitting. The sweater had been a good project idea, and Rick’s suggestion of the purple yarn had been a good one. Meghan glanced at the clock – Kelsey should be getting off work soon. Meghan’s phone rang – Jerry.

She answered her phone, afraid she already knew what he was going to say.

Hey squirt. I just heard back from that kid at the pool – he didn’t make it. Jerry’s tone was soft.

Meghan sighed. “I was afraid you were going to tell me that. Doesn’t make it easy that it was literally in my back yard.”

You okay? I’m here to talk, if you need it, Jerry replied.

“I’m okay. I’m at my sister’s house, had a chance to hash over it with Mitch. I’m good, but thanks for the offer.”

Well, if you need me, you know where to find me. Oh, and breakfast is set for Thursday, 8 am, usual spot.

“Good! It’ll be nice to hang out with everyone. Only thing keeping me sane sometimes, you know?” Meghan chuckled.

If we’re keeping you sane, squirt, you need to have your head examined! Jerry laughed. We like having you around, and I know it keeps you in the loop and from being too stir-crazy while you wait to come back to work. Speaking of work, when do your classes start up again?

“Two more weeks, although the teacher workshops start up next week. Why? Thinking you need a refresher course?” Meghan ribbed.

Nah, although if I keep pulling BLS transfers I might. She heard his pager going off. Speaking of which… gotta haul another one back to the nursing home.

“Fun times, Jerry. Take care, and I’ll see you Thursday.” Meghan hung up and went in search of Mitch. She found him in his office, and knocked on the door.

Mitch looked up and waved her in. “What’s up?”

Meghan dropped into an open chair near his desk. “Just got off the phone with Jerry. The kid died.”

Mitch frowned. “Sorry, Meghan. I know you did all you could. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, it’s just a bummer.” Meghan spied a journal on Mitch’s desk amidst a pile of mail. “Is that a new journal I see?”

Mitch shifted the mail. “Yeah, a new one from obstetrics and gynecology. Want to read it?”

“Yes, please. I’ve actually been able to mention a couple things I’ve read in these to help my students.” Meghan accepted the journal, took her leave, and went back to the living room.

She was deep in an article when Kelsey got home. Kelsey chuckled at the sight of her sister with the magazine and had no problems sneaking up on her.

“Meghan!” Kelsey poked her sister in the shoulder.

Meghan started. “Kelsey Anne, you’re going to give me a heart attack one of these days!”

“Who’s having a heart attack?” Mitch asked, rounding the corner. He went over and kissed his wife.

“I am, if Kelsey keeps sneaking up on me,” Meghan groused. She set aside the journal and stood, giving her sister a hug and a gentle tap on the head.

“What brings you by, sis?” Kelsey asked.

“A bad incident at my apartment’s pool. A teenager died today from a diving accident.” Meghan couldn’t keep the melancholy out of her voice.

“Oh, Meghan, I’m sorry. I take it you were there and tried to help.” Kelsey gave her sister another hug.

“Yeah. Not the way I wanted my day to go. I came over to talk about it with Mitch, and he extended a dinner invite.”

“Well, I’m glad you came. And speaking of dinner,” Kelsey looked at her husband, “I’m hungry! Oh, and Rick says hi. He bumped into me in the cafeteria today. I don’t think he’s working late today.”

Meghan’s phone started to ring. Kelsey took the opportunity to excuse herself to go change clothes while Meghan answered it.

“Hey Rick! How are you? Were your ears burning?” Meghan chuckled.

Um, no. Should they be?

“I’m over at Kelsey and Mitch’s, and Kelsey was just saying she’d run into you today.”

Rick chuckled. Have any big plans tonight? I was thinking about some dinner.

Mitch tapped Meghan on the shoulder. “Just a sec, Rick.” She pulled the phone from her ear. “Yeah?”

“See if Rick wants to join us for dinner,” Mitch requested. “I was thinking of taking you two to Bob’s Steakhouse.”

Meghan chuckled and put the phone back to her ear. “Wanna join us at Bob’s Steakhouse? Mitch extended an invite.”

Great minds must think alike! I was going to suggest Bob’s. I’ll meet you there. When?

“Rick’s agreeable. What time?” Meghan asked.

“Maybe half an hour? It shouldn’t take Kelsey long to get ready.”

“Half an hour, Rick. If you beat us, a table for 4.” Meghan smiled and chatted for a couple more minutes, then hung up.

Kelsey reappeared from the bedroom in jeans and a blouse. “Did I hear that Rick is going to join us at Bob’s?”

Meghan nodded. “He was going to take me there for dinner – Mitch suggested we all go.”

“Double date?” Mitch chuckled. Kelsey swatted his arm good-naturedly.

Meghan just smiled and reached for her purse.

Dinner was good. Meghan wound up sharing about the rescue that didn’t go well. She then broached the topic again of a potential move.

“I called that apartment that I looked at over the weekend, and the first-floor unit is still available. I’m going to get the application filled out tomorrow and the application fee sent in.”

“Good! You need something that isn’t third floor. And I know you liked the location better.” Rick took a bite of his steak.

“Yeah, it’ll be a good move. I’m just not wanting to pack,” Meghan complained.

“Well, I can come help if you need it,” Kelsey offered. “Are you planning to get movers, or do you have enough favors to call in for help with a U-haul?”

“I think I’m going to go the U-haul route. I know a lot of strong firemen,” she smirked.

Rick chuckled. “Well, let me know when you plan to move, and I’ll come over to help.”

“I’ll take you up on that,” Meghan warned. “I hate moving, and getting stuff down from the third floor won’t be an easy task. It wasn’t easy getting everything up there, either.”

“Have a date for when you’ll be moving?” Mitch asked.

“I’m still a couple months out, haven’t given my 60-day notice at my current place yet. I’ll do that once I’m approved for a new apartment.”

“Smart. And that gives you a solid 2 months to pack, which your busy schedule will need, no doubt.” Mitch took a drink of his iced tea.

Meghan cut open another roll and slathered it with butter. “I should probably go ahead and get some boxes, start working on packing what I don’t need out. I’ll have to go buy a bundle to get started.”

“Thank you for dinner, Rick. It was good as usual!” Meghan smiled as Rick walked her out to her car.

“You’re welcome! I’m glad it worked out to visit with your family, too.” Rick stopped at her car and turned to face her. “Are we still on for Thursday? I’ve been wanting to take you to Nonna’s for a while.”

Meghan nodded, but he could see she was slightly hesitant.

“Nothing to worry about, Meghan. It’s just a nice dinner at my favorite Italian place. It is my birthday, after all, and you said I could choose.” Rick smiled reassuringly.

“Then by all means, yes, I would love to do Italian. Guess I should get you a birthday card. How old will you be again?”

“Forty-three. Time flies when you work hard,” Rick laughed.

“So it does! What time should I expect you to pick me up? I’ve got some work at the college planned for the afternoon.” Meghan pulled out her phone and flipped to the calendar.

“How about 6? I have us for a 6:30 reservation.”

Meghan added it to her phone. “Sounds good, and it’s in my phone with a reminder.” She yawned. “Think it’s time to be heading home. Have a good night, Rick, and talk with you soon.”