"Miss Shantel," Doctor Carlos walked in just then. "Can I have a word with you?"
Without a word, Shanted rose and followed Dr. Carlos out of the ward.
When they arrived at his office, Dr. Carlos motioned for Shantel to sit as he closed the door gently behind her.
The office was quiet, dimly lit, and smelled faintly of coffee and antiseptic.
The window blinds were half-drawn, letting in narrow shafts of daylight that cut across the polished floor.
Shantel perched on the edge of the leather chair, fingers laced tightly in her lap as she waited anxiously for Dr. Carlos to take his seat across from her.
Her heart that had only just begun to settle, now threatened to leap again.
He rested his hands on the desk and looked at her directly.
"Your grandmother is stable," he began slowly. "But I didn't want to say this in front of the others. You're her primary family, yes?"
Shantel nodded. "Yes. I am."
