Remember Your Worth | Jackson Avery

twenty-four

I huffed, turning the car off as I looked at the small Montana diner, hoping it was my last stop.

The hospital called, notifying Jackson that something went wrong with the donor, and he wasn't answering my texts or calls. I kicked the snow off my boots, walking in to see him in the corner.

"I have been looking everywhere for you.." I said, glaring at him while he looked at me with semi-low eyes.

"I have been calling and texting you about the hospital. Did you just choose to ignore me?"

"I'm sorry.. I saw your text. No organs, no surgery. Didn't hear anything else after that, so I figured I'd have a drink." He checked his phone.

"Oh. Battery died. Well, that's not very helpful, now, is it?" He scoffed, dropping it on the table.

"You're drunk."

"You're pissed." He stated. 

"You think? I had the time of my life traveling around in the snow.."

"I know.. We lost the donor, Caroline's repeat scans show more extensive esophageal invasion, her parents are a wreck, and I had a beer."

"Four beers, actually, and, what is that, whiskey? What are you doing here?"

"So, how we doing over here? Dessert?" An older white man asked, stopping at the table.

"No, he's going home to sober up. He has work. Thanks."

"In that case, let me call you a cab." He insisted.

I recognized the man as Robert, finally realizing why Jackson was here.

"I'm walking." Jackson grabbed his stuff and pushed past him, leaving.

"Can I get you something?" Robert turned his attention to me.

"No, I'm good."

"He left his book. "Techniques in Oropharyngeal Surgery." Hm, airway reconstruction?" He read.

"Supposed to be a throat transplant. It's not an option anymore."

"Total laryngectomy not an option, huh?" He asked, smirking. I looked at him, confused.

"I was a surgeon. That was many lifetimes ago." His smile went away.

"Really? You gave that up for this?"

"Well, this is not all that different. People come to you in need, you provide them comfort. They leave here feeling better than when they came, the hours are better, and nobody dies. That I know of. Welcome to Bozeman, Doctor..."

"Sage Bailey."

"Mm, Sage.. I like that name. Nice to meet you, Sage, I'm Robert Avery. Let me know if you need anything, okay?"

I nodded, grabbing Jackson's book then leaving. Halfway down the road, I spotted my baby daddy squeezing himself as he walked down the road.

"Get in!" I yelled once I rolled the window down.

He quickly got in, putting his seatbelt on then holding his hands to the heat. Shortly after, we arrived at the hotel.