Treating kids—any age—isn’t easy. I don’t know why I thought it would be when I made the decision to be a Pediatric physician at the beginning of my senior year of high school. My mom’s a general practitioner in Pediatrics, and my dad is an adult Cardiologist. I’ve always wanted to be a doctor. There isn’t a moment in my life where I wanted to do anything else.

Every summer, back in high school, I worked in my mom’s clinic doing various non-clinical things and fell in love with all the kids that came through. Following my mother’s footsteps, going into Pediatrics, was a no-brainer. But every time I treat a child with a confirmed or life threatening disease I question if I can do this for the rest of my career.

“Judy,” I call the charge nurses name as I exit room three. “Order a full set of labs and a CT of the chest with contrast on my patient.” I stop in front of the nurse’s station.

A palm lands down, gripping my shoulder. When I turn my head to the side, I find the residency director, my boss, Dr. Forsythe standing next to me.

“Gavin,” I greet him by his first name as I hand the patient’s chart over to the nurse. She nods, acknowledging my requests.

“So,” he starts out. “I’m having a holiday get together Saturday night. I can expect you to come, right?” He squeezes my shoulder, letting me know he isn’t asking if I can make it or not. My presence is expected. He may have quickly become my friend a few months ago when I transferred to Memphis to finish out my residency, but he is first and foremost, my boss.

“My brother and his girlfriend are coming up from Oxford tomorrow and staying the weekend . . .” I let my reply hang in the air hoping he folds, letting me out, but I know there’s a slim chance of that. I have two days scheduled off this week. Both Friday and Saturday.

“Bring ’em,” he tells me. “The more, the merrier and all that.”

“Yeah, I guess I could.”

Halloween is this coming Saturday, and Taralynn told me last week she wants to go out clubbing when they come up. I know the real reason they’re driving up for a visit just as I know the reason they insisted I come to Georgia with them Labor Day weekend last month to ride ATV’s. Trent’s death is still fresh for everyone—me especially. He and I had been best friends since we were ten years old and roommates since the summer we graduated high school, enrolling in college. Kylie was practically living with us even though she technically had a dorm room. We had one too freshman year. We just didn’t use it since my grandparents let us live in their old home now that they were retired, living in Florida.

After grad school, the three of us lived together again while in Medical school. Every holiday not spent back home in Tupelo, Mississippi was an excuse for Kylie to throw a party. Halloween has always been her favorite for some reason.

If I had to guess, Shawn’s best friend and Kylie’s youngest sibling, Mason Morgan, will be heading to Orlando, Florida—if he isn’t already there—to spend time with his sister for the same reason Taralynn has insisted they are coming to see me.

It’s not that I hate them coming. I enjoy seeing Taralynn and my ass of a little brother. But going out to a club is a hassle I’m dreading. It just isn’t my thing anymore. Really, it never was. Hanging with friends, I enjoy. Hanging out in a loud and crowded place . . . not so much.

“Why aren’t you taking the kids trick-r-treating?” I ask. Gavin has toddler-aged twins, so it surprises me he and his wife won’t be doing the family thing instead.

“Maria’s parents are handling that this year. The kids are going over to their house tomorrow night and staying through Sunday.”

I nod my head, letting out a soft laugh.

“So this get together”—I pause, turning to face him—“are the interns coming too?” A coy smile graces his face, and I know before he speaks, they will be.

“It’s going to be epic.” His eyes dance with delight, making me chuckle. I’ve heard of his idea of amusement. And I want no part of it.

“So costumes . . .?” I leave the question hanging. Kylie’s thrown a Halloween party every year since our first year of college, and I’ve never worn a costume. I haven’t worn one since I was a kid I don’t think. If I wouldn’t do it for my best friend’s girl, I’m certainly not doing it for him. Boss or no boss, it’s not happening.

“Only if you want to be my source of entertainment for the night.”

“And I’m guessing you aren’t planning on informing the interns of this?” Of course he’s not. I’m just surprised none of them have heard of his yearly “initiation” as the other residents refer to it as. But maybe since he’s only been the residency director for the last four years the stories haven’t circulated enough.

“Mums the word.” He places his index finger over his lips to stress his point. “See you Saturday, Braden.”

I shake my head as he walks off.

“Shane?” I hear Roxanne call my name. Looking over my shoulder, I see her walking out of room one toward me. “You got a sec?”

“Sure.” I turn, facing her. “What do you need?”

“My patient complains of stomach pains, but the x-ray was clear. I ordered a lab panel, and those came back normal.” She looks back toward the patient’s room. “I’m not sure what else to try. They don’t have insurance, so I don’t want to order a procedure if he doesn’t need it.”

“Want me to take a look at him?”

“Please,” she sighs in relief.

“Come on, let’s go figure out what’s wrong with your patient.”