Romancing Dr. Bailey

Bad Timing

Miranda smiled and left the room. Her cell phone rang. She looked at the phone and saw a number that she didn't recognize. "Hello?" She asked.

"Ms. Bailey?" A voice came through the phone. It sounded like a man.

"Speaking. Who is this?"

"This is Christopher Hunter from Brookden Middle School, Tuck's, er, William's teacher." Miranda made a face and walked into the stairwell.

"Oh, yes, Mr. Hunter, of course. Is there a problem?"

"Um, yes, William's been in a fight and—"

"What?!" Miranda screeched.

"He was in a fight, a couple of punches were thrown; both boys will be suspended. William does have a cut above his eye. He has a jammed finger and his knuckles are scratched. But he's fine... relatively."

"I can't... believe this," Miranda said sitting down on a stair. She put a hand to her head.

"To be honest, Ms. Bailey—"

"It's actually Dr. Bailey," Miranda told him.

"Sorry, Dr. Bailey. And since this is his first time getting in trouble, he's such a good kid; he'll only get a two-day suspension."

"Mr. Hunter, usually, I would have to debate, discuss and argue with you about my son and the situation. But, what, exactly did he do?"

"Well, because he's getting suspended, you have to come and pick him up. Also, we can talk more when you get here." Miranda sighed heavily. This had to happen today? She had so much to do and this was one of the last things she needed. Then, she thought about it. There wasn't a good time for her son to get into trouble. "Dr. Bailey? Are you still there?"

"Yes, I am. I'll be there as soon as I can, but, Mr. Hunter, I'm a surgeon and it's hard for me to drop everything to come and pick him up, but I will do my best."

"Thank you, Dr. Bailey, but this is serious," Mr. Hunter said goodbye and hung up.

"Damn it. Damn it all," Miranda said closing her eyes.

"Dr. Bailey, is something wrong?" Stephanie Edwards said as she came up from the floor below.

"Edwards," Miranda said standing up and looking at the girl. "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you." Stephanie was still standing there. "Did you need me for something? Is Mr. Daniels ready?"

"N-no, he's not. Someone sent me to look for you," she said nervously.

"Who was it?"

"He—they told me not to tell."

"Well, you can tell Dr. Warren, that I'm fine. And shouldn't he be in surgery anyway?" Miranda put her hands on her hips and glared at the resident.

"Dr. Bailey, who is Dr. Warren?" The resident was obviously confused. She scratched at her temple.

"Never mind. I have to go. Can you tell The Chief that I have to leave? Tell him that I'll be back as soon as possible. And when he asks where I went, tell him that I said that it's a personal matter. And when he tries to pump you for more information, tell him that that's all you know and that I told you to walk away and to go and do something productive."

Stephanie smiled. It was quick and genuine. "Okay." She turned and walked back down the stairs.

Miranda went to the locker room and changed quickly. She grabbed her keys and drove to Brookden Middle School. On the way there, she called Tucker. "Hey, Mandy. What's up?"

"Guess where I'm on my way to."

"To Ben's house?" He said laughing loudly.

Miranda fought the urge to smile. She remembered that the call she was making was about something very important. "Funny, but no. I'm on my way to Brookden Middle School."