Month: November 2025

Sophie took advantage of the lull in Kim’s busy day. Kim was stocking Danny’s incubator with his mini little preemie diapers. “Kim, I just want to tell you how much Adam and I appreci ate the care you give to Danny. There is nothing more a mother could ask than for her child to be

Mitch and Amanda were taking their dinner break at Evening Rounds, the local bar near the hospital. A plate of nachos sat between them. “Dig in,” Mitch said. The bar was crowded with doctors and nurses coming off shift and stopping in for a drink before going home. To Mitch, it felt like a buffer

When Sophie got back to the NICU, she walked past Pod E and stopped short. Rihanna stood outside the pod looking in. Sophie noticed a mother with a tearstained face clutching a baby blanket. She stood alone on the periphery of the group of doctors and nurses that surrounded her baby. Hers was the only

Kate and Adam showed up that afternoon, carrying two large platters of fresh fruit—pineapple, kiwi, firm and juicy grapes, cantaloupe that was actually ripe, and the best part, strawberries dipped in chocolate. They laid the platters on the front desk of the nurses’ station. Those who weren’t busy with patients flocked around, oohing and aahing

Dr. Wagner came around the corner of the pod. “Good morning, Mrs. Young. Kim, if you wouldn’t mind . . .” He handed Kim his half-empty cardboard coffee cup. “I’ll be quick so I can leave you to your work.” He put the infant-sized stethoscope in his ears and listened to Danny’s chest and abdo

Sophie and Adam waited at the nurses’ station for the charge nurse. She was determined to get an answer to why their son was lying in the NICU, fighting for his life. She would start by reviewing her medical records. If anyone wanted to challenge her request, she was prepared to fight. When the charge

The next morning, Dr. Sheldon pulled up a chair next to Sophie, who was sitting by Danny’s incubator. Kate was chat ting with Kim, admiring her earrings—authentic eagle feathers from Arizona. Sophie’s internal antennae were buzzing. “What are you doing, Dr. Sheldon?” she said in a loud whisper. Dr. Sheldon sat quietly and looked at

Mitch and Sheldon headed up to the doctors’ lounge. Most of the doctors were either asleep or handling middle-of-the night emergencies. They got comfortable, free to talk in the empty lounge. “Sheldon, what is up, bro? Mrs. Young sneaking into your office in the middle of the night? What’s that all about?” “I have no

Dr. Wagner’s dark, menacing eyes bore into her. This time, there was no softening of his eyes or words of apology for her. He grabbed her by the elbow and roughly pulled her over to the operating arena. Dr. Sheldon turned around, a look of surprise on his face. “What . . . ?” “It’s

Sophie and Adam went to Dr. Sheldon’s office the next morn ing. They knocked. There was no answer. They knocked again. Suddenly the door flew open. Though surprised to see the two of them at his door, Dr. Shel don quickly recovered. He invited them in and asked how he could help. “We have a