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“I’lad he was a part of your life”

“Me, too He was my first real friend, after Freddie He started out as one of er, he saw soh, we only had three years together Then he died as unexpectedly as my parents had I don’t understand why everyone I loved was ripped from me so abruptly”

Words failedI held him and kissed the side of his head He took a few deep breaths as he clutched me

After ato be tough to deal with my coworkers today, when my emotions are so close to the surface And for the record, even though I’, I know I caused the situation at work It’s a classic case of ‘you made your bed, now lie in it’ If I’d acted differently froative environment for me”

“That doesn’t excuse their gossiping, or the lies that have been spread about you”

“I h,” he muttered

“Have you ever thought about finding a job at a different hospital and getting a fresh start?”

“Often But I don’t want to leave my home, so I’m limited to the Bay Area I’m sure my reputation would precede h One day, I plan to open a co scale so no one is ever turned away Once I do that, I’ll be the boss, and I’ll be able to docoworkers

“But reater number of kids I also love the idea of children and their fa year after year for check-ups and wellness visits, so I get to watch the in a hospital—we only see kids when soain”

“This is such a wonderful idea,” I said “What would you need to make it happen?”

“Mostly just the confidence to take on a project of this scale I have plenty of ain a bit otten the ball rolling yet”

“Well, whenever you’re ready, count me in I’ll help in any way I can”