Dr.

Orla Owens stepped out into the waiting room, holding a yellow chart clipboard against her navy blue scrubs.

She tapped her black pen against the top of the clipboard as her eyes scanned the waiting room seats.

“June Donnelly,” Dr.

Owens called out, her calm, measured voice filling the room.

I stood up right away, supporting June’s head with my palm while holding her weight securely against my shoulder.

Ethan stood up at the exact same moment, leaving his dark wool coat on the chair behind him.