Page 45 of Five Things I See in You

“I don’t know what they’ll decide tomorrow. I could… I could lose my license if things go badly.”

She strokes my forearm with her thumb, tracing the letters of my tattoo.

“Do you want me to drive you?”

I’m about to tell her there’s no need. This time, I catch myself.

“Yes. And I’d like you to be there when I come out. I think I’ll need a hug, whatever happens.”

***

We arrive twenty minutes early. Noa parks near the entrance. Before I get out, she reminds me her phone is on if I need anything.

While I wait to be called, a message arrives from Iris, who hardly ever texts.

Man, witch, hang in there. If you need me to come in and tell them how great you are, say the word. Or burn the place down. Whatever you need. I’m outside with Noa. Zoe and Jade are here too. A few more of the girls are on their way. Anyway. Good luck.

I smile. I’d rather not imagine her walking into that room.

Five people sit across the table from me. There’s a small bottle of water in front of my seat. I open it and pour a glass. I’m not thirsty, but I need something to do with my hands.

First, we review the dates. My intervention during the crisis. The recusal. The referral to Dr. Osei. My departure from the club. Then they ask when our relationship began.

I answer without trying to make anything sound better than it was. I know I did everything right. I just hope the board agrees.

The woman chairing the hearing shrugs, looks through the file once more, and murmurs something to the man beside her. Then she turns to me.

“Frankly, I don’t see any basis for the anonymous complaint we received. The documentation confirms that there was no breach of professional ethics at any point. Nothing that even approached one.”

She goes on to explain that I left the club before my relationship with Noa began. That leaving wasn’t even necessary at the time, though it helps clarify the situation now.

“The complaint will be dismissed. No disciplinary action will be taken.”

“No disciplinary action?” I repeat.

“None, Dr. Hayes. You’ll receive the decision in writing.”

I nod, unsure how to react. I’d prepared to explain every date, every conversation, even why I waited a few days before speaking to Tessa. Now I don’t know what to do with all the explanations still crowding my head.

“Thank you,” I say before getting up.

***

I see them through the glass doors.

Iris is gesturing so wildly that Zoe has to move out of the way. Jade is watching the entrance. Several more teammates stand behind them, along with Hades and Mireya, who’s gently rocking the stroller.

Noa runs toward me but stops before touching me.

“What did they say?”

“It’s been dismissed. No disciplinary action,” I say with a sigh.

She closes her eyes and slowly lets out a breath. Then she hugs me, and I feel her tears against my cheeks.

“It’s over. It’s finally over,” she whispers in my ear.

“Man, witch, thank God,” Iris says. “Because I wasn’t serious about burning the place down. Just putting that on the record.”