Chapter 2

Tina came in the hospital a little earlier than expected. She wanted to get her bearings. She proceeded to the nurse’s station where she was met by Dr. Sam Makavajiev.

“Dr. Makavajiev.” Tina greeted.

“Good morning, Tina. How are you doing today?”

“I’m good.” Tina said with a smile.

Dr. Makavajiev toured her around the hospital. During lunch she went out and met with her mother at the Daley Plaza.

“How are you?” Tina’s mother asked.

“I’m fine. It’s so hot today. It’s Valentine’s Day and it so freaking hot. It can’t be Chicago.”

“It’s Global Warming.”

“And how do you figure that out, Mom?” Tina asked with a smile.

Just as Tina’s mother was about to reply a commotion happened on the busy road in front of them. Tina was on her feet before her mother can reply. She saw the woman’s body lying face down. She whipped her phone out of her pocket.

“There’s a woman down on the floor. She has been hit by a car. I need an ambulance in front of the Daley Plaza…” Tina said while running to the woman.

Tina kneeled down and checked the woman’s pulse. She began performing CPR and did not stop until the ambulance arrived.

Tina was sitting at one of the chairs by the doctor’s lounge when she saw Dr. Makavajiev approach her.

“How are you holding up?”

“It makes me wonder if there’s anything else I could have done to save that woman’s life.” Tina replied with a faraway look in her eyes.

“There are things that are beyond our control Tina. I am going to tell you what I tell every young doctor I work with and hopefully you’ll be the first one to listen. On your day off go as far away from this place as you possibly can. Go where you feel you are most like yourself.”

The next day, Tina took Jack with her and went back to the lake house. She walked around and absorbed the beauty that place held. It has always been therapeutic for her. She proceeded to go through the walkway of the house and looked at it in wonderment. It never failed to take her breath away. She was on her way back to her car when she noticed the flag on the mailbox was raised. She opened it and looked at the note taking into chance that she may have mail in it. She was surprised at the letter she saw. It was addressed to her. She read the note and she did not like it one bit. She proceeded to write her reply with every intention of leaving it at the mailbox.