Unexpected

Chapter 2 - Late

Nick Burke's morning had not started out well, as a result he walked into the physician assistant interviews late. His practice needed extra help, but he wasn't happy when his brother nominated him to spend an entire morning in interviews.

He murmured his rounds delayed him, but he hadn't left his house on time. Jack, his two-and-a-half year old had a tantrum, so he left to him crying. Little Jack was in good hands with Julie, but it broke his heart.

He listened to and observed the candidates while relying on his good judge of character. The hospital had verified their credentials so Dr. Albert's questions were redundant. Because Hannah forced him, he asked one unrelated question. The first candidate answered his question about her tea with a warm smile.

The second was a man, built like an athlete, so he asked what he did to keep active. He responded that he ran marathons. Nick thought selfishly he rarely had time to eat breakfast and only ran after his kids.

When he arrived back at the office for an afternoon of appointments, his brother, Tim asked, "So? Any promising ones?"

Nick nodded. "One I preferred and two, I could live with."

"You don't sound enthusiastic. What's the chance we get the one you like?"

"I'd say good. Leisa showed more interest in a male candidate. Do you know Dr. Albert? He wanted her, but she didn't want internal medicine."

"Jim Albert will want her on principle because we do." Tim smiled.

Nick eyed his brother. "What aren't you not telling me?"

"Let's just say he has never liked me." Tim winked.

"It's probably your jokes." Nick called to his brother's back as he walked away. Dr. Albert didn't have a sense of humor.

Because he had patients waiting, Nick didn't even get a chance to tell Tim his favorite thing about the candidate. He would let Tim find out for himself. His afternoon flew by as he saw a steady stream of patients. He gave four physicals, saw two patients for blood pressure checks, and many other complaints and ailments.

He ran behind schedule and finished later than he preferred. Tim had left before him and it didn't surprise Nick to find his brother sitting in his kitchen when he arrived home. Walking into the mudroom from the garage, his two children accosted him. Jack had recovered from his morning meltdown. Nick knew he had, because Julie had updated him via text message.

Bridget, his four-year-old daughter, was busy talking as always. She only stopped when she was asleep. Secretly he loved her inquisitive side. He was biased but thought she was smart for her age.

He picked up his son and carried him into the kitchen. Julie was dishing out a plate for him, while Tim sat at the table eating.

Nick took the plate. "Thanks Jules."

She smiled. "Little Jack was playing you. He was fine all day. How did the interviews go?"

Nick swallowed a bite. "Fine. We'll have some help soon."

"We need it. I feel like I saw a hundred patients today." Tim complained.

Julie put her arm around Tim. "You poor thing. I'm ready to head home as soon as you've finished eating. Nick put your dish in the dishwasher. I don't want to see it in the morning."

"Yes, mum." Nick gave her his best smile.

After his brother and sister-in-law left, he finished eating and rinsed his plate as he was told. He loved Julie, and it didn't annoy him she bossed him around in his own house. He had been in love with her since he was twelve. He would owe her for the rest of his life, because Julie had been taking care of him and his babies, since that night - one year and nine months and... Stop! He could go to the days, hours, and minutes to the moment when the phone rang, and it was not about one of his patients.

Melissa, his Mel, had gone to the symphony in Portland. He hadn't wanted to go, so she went without him. She went with their friend and his date. At least that was what Nick had assumed, but there had only been the two in the car. The roads were slick from frozen rain and a pickup truck driven by an elderly man skidded across the center line into the passenger side of the car Mel was in. The driver, her symphony companion, only had a concussion and bruises, but Mel was pronounced at the scene. It was all a terrible nightmare. Without his family, he wouldn't have survived those first days and weeks.

How does one deal with losing their wife with an infant and a two-year-old?

He often thought of his father and drew strength from knowing that he moved on after his first wife, Tim's mother, had died. He couldn't imagine his father had ever loved another besides his own mum. He supposed if he could love each of his children equally and fully, then he could love a new wife too. Except Nick wasn't good at the whole marriage thing and should focus on being a good father. That was really what his children needed most.