Chapter 46 - chloe's first patient
Chloe's first clinical rotation came years later.
She was nervous.
Her first patient was a nineteen-year-old pregnant woman named Sara.
Sara was frightened.
She had no family with her.
Chloe introduced herself.
"Hi. I'm Chloe."
Sara looked at her.
"Are you a doctor?"
"Not yet."
Sara smiled nervously.
"Me neither."
Chloe laughed.
It broke the tension.
They talked.
Sara admitted she was afraid of giving birth.
Chloe listened.
She didn't promise everything would be perfect.
She didn't pretend fear was irrational.
She simply stayed.
After the appointment, Chloe called Claire.
"Mom?"
"Yes?"
"I understand now."
Claire smiled.
"Understand what?"
"Why you built everything."
Claire became quiet.
"What happened?"
"I met a woman who was scared."
"And?"
"I realized I couldn't fix everything for her."
Claire smiled.
"That's the point."
"What do you mean?"
"You don't have to fix everything."
Claire paused.
"You just have to make sure she isn't alone."
Chloe looked back toward the clinic.
"I think I want to do this."
May you like
Claire closed her eyes.
"I know."
