Sophie caught up with Josh as he was leaving the hospital. Her
phone buzzed again.
“Can we talk for a second?” she asked, keeping pace with him.
“After what you just did to me in discharge class? I don’t
know if it’s safe to have a conversation with you.”
“Oh, come on. I don’t bite. I’m just looking out for us little
guys, the moms and pops and babes of this hospital.”
Josh stopped walking and gave Sophie his attention.
“Do you really believe in what you say about BrainHealth?
Do you really think it will make a difference in these babies’
lives? Or do you just say what you’re told to say?”
Josh shrugged.
“People are so quick to believe the men in the white coats are
their saviors. If they say it is so, then it must be true,” Sophie said
in a mocking tone of voice. “I know, I was one of them. I used to
be one of those who drank the Kool-Aid and revered the ground
that some of these brilliant doctors walked on.”
“You know, Sophie, be careful of what you’re saying. Drug
companies and hospitals are necessary, and they save lives. What
if Danny hadn’t had the technology and medications, as well as
the doctors and nurses, to save him?”
Exasperated, Sophie said, “Josh, he wouldn’t have been born
so early if Mitch Wagner hadn’t come into our lives. He didn’t
save us. He created a preemie! You’re right. If there had been a
biologic reason for me to deliver so early, and Danny’s life was in
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JULIE HATCH
jeopardy, then of course, I’d be grateful for all the technology and
medicines. But as it turns out, we’d have been a lot better off if
we’d gone to another hospital, or at least another doctor, when I
had early contractions. I’ve said this a million times—this should
not have happened. Everybody tells me how lucky I am to have
delivered in one of the top maternity hospitals. Maybe that’s
true, but I will forever believe that it shouldn’t have happened in
the first place. Mitch Wagner made it happen, and he knows that
I know. He thrives on playing God, being in control, and being
the master of his little triage universe. And then there’s the way
he treats women—he’s a dick.”
“Yeah, it’s well known how you feel about Dr. Wagner.”
“It’s not just me. I know other mothers who agree with me.
And I’ll bet I could find hundreds more who have the same
opinion.”
Josh stared down at his feet.
“You know, Josh, you’re just a mule. You don’t transport nar
cotics across the border for the cartel, but you are a drug pusher
for Kindred. I’m all about exposing the truth—and helping fami
lies, not robbing them blind. Which, by the way, is what my son
is likely to be, thanks to you and Mitch Wagner.”
Sophie turned and walked away before Josh could respond.
