The Doctor's Undoing by Gina Wilkins Page B

was pretty close to. He thought I’d make a good doctor, and he sort of pushed me into taking the MCAT. I was so sure I’d blow it that I was as surprised as anyone when I scored high enough to actually be considered for med school.”
    She shook her head in response to his expressed self-doubt. “You’ve never given yourself enough credit. You belong in medical school as much as any of us, Ron.”
    He chuckled lightly. “I was just lucky that enough accepted applicants changed their mind so I got in as an alternate that year. I didn’t think I’d make it in.”
    â€œWell, you did. And you’ve done very well. You’ll make a great doctor. You proved that yet again at the ballpark tonight.”
    The smile he slanted her way had a wry edge to it. “I always appreciate your pep talks.”
    She frowned. Was he making fun of her again?
    After a moment, she tried again to keep the conversation moving. “Your parents must be very proud of you.”
    â€œHmm.”
    Her frown deepened. “What does that mean?”
    Keeping his eyes on the road, he answered lightly, “You’d think they would be. Let’s just say, my parents aren’t exactly the encouraging types. My dad’s always out in his auto repair shop, and when he’s not he sits in his chair staring at the TV and drinking too much beer. My mom’s obsessed with keeping a clean house, raising African violets and doing various handcrafts. She criticizes everything anyone else does. Nothing satisfies her. Not everyone is as lucky as you are to be so close with your parents.”
    She’d talked quite a bit about her family during the past two years, so Ron knew all about her happy childhood, the financial crisis during her teens, the restaurant venture of which she was so proud. He had even met her parents when the whole study group had celebrated the end of the first school year at their restaurant in Russellville. Haley had wanted to introduce her parents to all her study friends, who’d been so important to her during that first stressful year.
    Though his words about his family were rather bitter, his tone had been more resigned. As if he’d long ago accepted the reality of his situation and had chosen not to dwell on it.
    â€œMaybe you and your family will be able to repair your relationship eventually. I’m sure if you keep trying, you’ll find some common ground with your parents and your siblings. And I’d bet they’re more proud of you than you realize.”
    He flipped on his turn signal to prepare to exit the freeway toward her apartment. “Not every bad situation can be repaired, Haley. Sometimes it really is best to accept reality.”
    â€œYou can’t just give up on having a good relationship with your family.”
    He sighed gustily. “What is it with you and never giving up? There are times when that’s the best choice for all involved.”
    She wasn’t going to concede that, especially when it came to family. But she knew there was no need to argue further now. Ron would only turn it into an excuse to mock her about being an incurable cheerleader, as he always did.
    In a characteristically teasing show of chivalry, he walked her to her door a short while later. “I’ll protect you against any ninja bad guys who could be lurking behind the bushes,” he assured her when she told him there was no need for him to accompany her.
    She glanced ironically around the well-lit, neatly landscaped, comfortably harmless parking lot before looking up at him again. “And who’s going to protect you?”
    He put a hand to his heart and staggered comically. “ Zing. Right to the male ego. You wound me, Haley.”
    She punched his arm. “You are so full of it, Gibson.”
    He laughed and rubbed the spot she’d barely tapped. “I’m going to have permanent scars from all those punches by the