“Is this a panic attack because of your mommy issues? Do you need to go home? You should go home!”
“I don’t need the fucking liability-“
“Hey!” Brendon’s voice is loud like a crack of a whip as he steps into the exam room. His blue eyes scan you from head to toe, looking for any external injuries. The collar of your undershirt was damp from sweat, your eyes red as if you had been crying. “Care to explain what the hell is going on here?“
Your cheeks flushed as you looked down at your lap. You’d been feeling the building anxiety on your body all day. Between dealing with your mother’s midlife crisis deciding to move across the country, her decision to sell your childhood home, and trying to land a fellowship position - oh, and not to mention the fact it was the goddamn forth of july and there was a cyber attack, your breakdown was bound to happen.
“I had a panic attack,” You whispered. “It’s was nothing.”
“It wasn’t nothing,” A med student scoffed. “It presented like a heart attack. She was diaphoretic, erratic heart beat, chest pain that radiated down the arm.”
Brendon looks over at Robby. His eyebrows raise, to silently ask for a real doctor’s diagnosis. Robby shrugs. “EKG was normal. Waiting on lab results but. . . sounds like it was a panic attack due to outside stressors.”
Park looks down at you, and you can’t even look him in the eye. You feel embarrassed by this whole thing. You’re taking up a bed, and two doctors away from people who really need them.
“Give us the room,” Park says. Robby nods, taking Joy with him on his way out. Brendon pulls the curtain shut when Robby leaves, blocking the window in case any nosy co-workers walk by. He sits down on a rolling stool, looking at your EKG. It’s been a while since he’s read one, but he still remembers the gist of it. “How are you feeling now?”
“Like an idiot,” You mumble, and finally look up at Brendon. “You really didn’t need to come down. This is all. . .” You sigh, “A big misunderstanding.”
“It’s not,” Brendon grabs your hand, squeezing it. You look away from him, trying to blink back the tears welling in your eyes. “What’s going on, baby?”
You sniffle. “It’s just. . . I had this plan, ya know. I was going to finish residency, get the fellowship, work here, pop out a few kids. Take them back to my childhood home, show them all those stupid swimming trophies I still had up on my shelves-“
“You swam?” Brendon interrupted, a slight smile on his face.
“Not the point,” You roll your eyes. “My plan-“
“Is changing,” Brendon said, “It’s not falling apart. It’s just changing.”
“I know you don’t,” Brendon brings your hand to his lips, kissing the back of it. “And you don’t have to handle it all on your own. You have me. I’m here to help you.”
You nod, wiping your cheek again. “I’m sorry for pulling you down here, again.” You knew how much Park despised being down in the ED. “I’ll make sure it’s a real heart attack next time.”
“Please don’t,” Brendon runs a hand over your hair. “I’m too hot to be a widow.” You scoff, swatting his shoulder. Brendon chuckles, leaning in to kiss you. “I’m glad you’re okay, baby. It’s all going to work out.” You nod. “I gotta get back up to the OR, but let me know the lab results.”
“I will,” You smile, and kiss him again. “We still on for fireworks?”
“Of course,” Brendon smiles, standing up from his spot. “I love you.” He kisses the top of your head before leaving your room. His blue eyes scan the busy ED before landing on his target. Brendon moves through the crowd with ease, like a shark wading through water.
“Park,” Robby says, looking up from the paper chart in his hand. “She good?”
“Yeah,” Brendon nods. He steps closer to Robby, lowering his voice. “If I hear you speaking to my wife like that again. . . I’ll grind your jaw into dust.” Robby’s eyes widen in shock as Park pats his shoulder, and walks off to the elevators.
