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Melissa King was crying on the curb when Frank Langdon found her.
In the ten months Mel had spent as a resident at PTMC, she had had plenty of bad shifts. Terrible ones, even—but this one was one for the books.
The deposition had ruined her day before it had even started, and while the logical part of her brain—the one that usually kicked in when she slipped into masking—kept telling her everything would be fine, the rest of her mind couldn’t stop spiraling. Then, the big news about her sister having a boyfriend landed on her lap on the most overwhelming day Mel had had in months—and that was including the Pittfest nightmare.
Becca was mad at her, and rightfully so—Mel could count on one hand how many times she had yelled at Becca in her 27 years of life. And now, to top it all off, she was going to watch the fireworks alone.
“Mel?”
She turned at the sound of the voice behind her. The blonde sniffled, pushing her glasses up into her hair, now wavy after hours in a braid.
“Hi, Dr. Langdon.”
Melissa no longer had it in her to pretend she wasn’t crying—and, well, Langdon had already noticed anyway.
“We didn’t get to finish that conversation…”
She sighed, watching the cars pass on the street in front of her.
“I don’t mind that Becca has a boyfriend. I was just… kind of scared at first because, well, there are so many stories about those care facilities. The thing is… even if I’m not her legal guardian, I act like I am. Because I have to. Because I… because she doesn’t have anyone else.”
Mel sniffled again, wiping at her wet cheeks as Frank sat down beside her on the curb. Their sides brushed despite the height difference, and his eyes stayed fixed on her.
“But I put my life on hold because of it. The only decision I made that wasn’t about Becca was going into medicine. Everything else…” she shrugged. “The house I live in, the hospital I work at, this godforsaken town I live in. I never would’ve left Michigan if Becca hadn’t fallen in love with Middle Hill. I’m 27, I don’t have friends, I’ve never been in a relationship, I’ve never even thought about having kids because it’s like I’ve already had one since I was eighteen.” The blonde shook her head; somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew she was telling Frank far more than he probably wanted to hear. “The only thing I have is my career, and that damn lawsuit put it on the line. And now…”
She let out a watery laugh before running her hands over her face, tugging at a few strands of hair without even noticing. Melissa rested her elbows on her knees.
“I’m jealous of her. She has people to rely on, a relationship, she’s building a life—and don’t get me wrong, that’s why we came here—but what’s left for me? Middle Hill’s bills? Because God knows that place is expensive.”
The two doctors sat in silence for a few seconds. Melissa didn’t dare look at Frank to see what was on his face, but at least she knew he was still there from the warmth of his body next to hers.
“In ten months working here, I haven’t made a single friend. I’m alone.”
When Frank didn’t say anything for nearly two minutes, Mel knew she had done it again. Her face burned and the familiar wave of embarrassment crept in, as it usually did when she talked too much and the other person had mentally checked out long ago.
The blonde shook her head to herself, slinging her bag over her shoulder before getting up in a quick motion.
“I’m sorry, Dr. Langdon. Today was just… a lot. Happy Fourth. Your family must be waiting for you.”
She took two steps before Frank caught up to her and grabbed her shoulder.
“Don’t go, Mel. I was trying to think of something decent enough to say, but… I’ve never really been good with words. The thing is, Mel—you took on a responsibility much bigger than anyone your age should have. Thinking that doesn’t make you selfish. It just makes you human.”
Mel crossed her arms tightly, her nails digging into her skin.
“This hospital…” Frank sighed, glancing briefly toward the building. “People don’t look at each other enough to see what’s really going on. And I’m sorry you’ve felt—well, that you are feeling—alone. I can’t speak for the past ten months, but I can promise you this: for the next year, I’ll be around. I’ll be your friend, if you want me to.”
“I’d appreciate that, yes.”
“Then consider it done.” He replied, smiling for the first time in what felt like hours. “Now, where are you and Becca watching the fireworks?”
“Oh—no, she’s going with Adam and his family. I think I’m just heading home.”
“You don’t like fireworks? I’m pretty sure the rest of the team is up on the roof watching them right now.”
Melissa gave him a bitter smile, looking away.
“Yeah? News to me. I think I should just go home so I don’t bother anyone else. Your family must be waiting for you—you should go before the fireworks start.”
“Abby’s with the kids in San Diego. No one’s waiting for me.”
She paused at that, looking at him. Melissa had assumed Frank was just a good listener—she hadn’t realized he might be going through something similar.
“Even so, I don’t think it’s a good idea to just show up somewhere I wasn’t invited.”
“Good thing I know just the perfect place with the perfect view.” Frank took her bag off her shoulder. “Come on, Mel. I don’t share this with just anyone.”
Mel sighed, but she was smiling a little as she followed Frank toward the parking lot.