October 3 2020
NEUROTRAUMA BAY, 2:17 PM
The alarms blared.
A 19-year-old patient with a known AVM (arteriovenous malformation) had just coded. Earlier that morning, AJ had given clear instructions: "Do not move him to OR until I've personally reviewed the angio scans. He's unstable."
But April and Lexie... had other ideas.
AJ was tied up with an emergency case. Lexie saw the scan ping in. She scanned it fast, decided it looked "fine," and gave April a look that said
April - Let's just do this. We've done worse under pressure
So they rushed the patient. No second opinion. No surgical sign-off.
And by the time AJ scrubbed out and heard the code blue... it was already too late.
---
ATTENDING CONFERENCE ROOM, 3:04 PM
AJ stood at the head of the table, arms crossed. Lexie and April sat side by side, pale, quiet.
A chief board rep and hospital legal counsel sat silently beside her.
AJ's voice was low. Dead calm.
AJ - I gave you both one job: wait. That's it.
April tried to explain
April - He was declining fast, we didn't want to lose the window—
Lexie cut her off, eyes fixed on AJ.
Lexie - It's my fault. I made the call.
AJ blinked, once. Slowly.
AJ - I trusted you
she said to Lexie.
AJ - After all the remediation, the second chances, after standing between you and the board more times than I should've...
She let out a breath.
AJ - I defended your potential. But now a kid is dead. Not because you lacked knowledge. But because you chose ego over discipline.
Lexie's throat tightened.
Lexie - I'm sorry
she whispered.
AJ didn't look angry.
She looked crushed
AJ -You remind me so much of who I used to be
she said.
AJ - But I had people who yanked me back when I got too full of myself. You didn't listen when I tried to do the same.
April swallowed, eyes wet.
April - So... what happens now?
The board rep turned to AJ.
Board rep -Dr. Brewster. Do you support the termination?
A long silence.
AJ looked straight at Lexie.
AJ - Yes. I support it.
Board rep- Effective immediately.
---
HOSPITAL ENTRANCE, 4:22 PM
The sky was starting to cloud. Rain teased the wind.
Lexie stood outside with her backpack slung over one shoulder. Her face was pale, hollowed out with shock.
April stood a few feet away, pacing, calling her mother.
That's when Dave pulled up in his SUV to pick up AJ.
He stepped out, taking in the sight of Lexie with tear-stained cheeks and red eyes.
Dave - Lexie?
he asked softly.
She didn't answer.
April wiped her face and muttered
April - She fired us. We're done.
Dave exhaled slowly and turned just in time to see AJ step out of the hospital, her expression unreadable.
Dave - You okay?
he asked, touching her arm gently.
AJ didn't answer. Just stared at Lexie for a long moment. Then quietly told Dave:
AJ - Drive.
---
AJ & DAVE IN THE CAR
Rain began to tap on the windshield.
AJ stared out the window in silence for a long time.
Aj - She reminded me of me
she said finally.
Dave glanced at her.
Dave-That's why you're hurting.
AJ -Yeah
AJ whispered.
AJ- Because I wasn't just disappointed in her. I'm disappointed in who I hoped she'd become.
Dave reached for her hand.
Dave-She made her choice, AJ. You did everything you could.
She blinked slowly.
AJ-Then why does it still feel like I failed her?
