"How was it," Taylor asked Monday night when Allison came back to their room.
"Good I needed that," Allison replied.
"But there's two different Allison's," Taylor pointed out, "Allison the doctor and the mommy / wifey"
"I know," Allison replied, "I haven't figured out putting both together yet. He seemed surprised at how much I do and I only gave him the bare minimum list for the month. The two birthday parties I ordered the gifts on Amazon. I have her medications set up to auto refill and be delivered. I booked all of her physio and OT before I left."
"Wow," Taylor said, "and your still sane?"
"That's to be decided," Allison laughed, "but she can pick her own bag for school now according to Asher. But my mom has been doing her hair."
"Asher doesn't," Taylor asked.
"He can brush it and put it in a ponytail," Allison replied, "My daughter doesn't like ponytails. She wants braids or pigtails or it crown braided. We've never cut her hair because she won't let us and it's her body. She had one hair cut at about 2 to take off some dead ends but not since. She needs it badly but is saying no. And we have to give her body autonomy where we can. She doesn't have a choice in physio or her braces or medical tests but her hair and what she wears."
"So her clothes," Taylor asked.
"We buy it and sometimes she comes with me other times I just do it," Allison replied, "she gets to pick as long as it's weather and function appropriate. I'll stop her from wearing her snow gear in august or a pair of shorts in January but other than that we let her decide."
"She's opinionated," Taylor observed.
"She should be," Allison replied, "she's an only child and the youngest of her cousins on my side. Asher's brother and his wife have two that are 4 and 5.5 years younger than Ev. But we spend more time with my family. My oldest niece and I are 4 years apart it's Ellie's last year of college and she's applying to med school. Evs grown up with older people and adults and use your words. She's always been stubborn."
"Like her mom," Taylor asked.
"More like her dad," Allison smiled, "once Asher has made up his mind it's hard to change it. Vaccinating her was an argument and I would have done it behind his back if I had to."
"What do you mean," Taylor asked.
"His parents are anti vaxers," Allison replied, "he wasn't until he was 17 and my parents found out and told him he wasn't allowed in the house or in 10 feet of me if he wasn't to protect Ev. So he got vaccinated while I was pregnant and did his last set the day before I went into labor."
"But he did it for you," Taylor replied.
"He wasn't happy about it and he's had questions because I wanted Ev to have everything," Allison replied, " I'm wondering about the HPV one as she gets older. I didn't have a choice but I might leave it until she's old enough to decide for herself. But she has all the essentials and most of the optional ones. I am very pro vaccine."
"And your husband," Taylor asked.
"Essentials," Allison replied, "but he's more likely to give her stronger pain meds than I am. I like to start with the least aggressive option and work up."
"Least aggressive is," Taylor asked.
"For Ev her legs seize up," Allison replied, "hot bath, massage, something like voltaren or tiger balm first then if it's not improving we go to Advil or a muscle relaxant. Asher jumps straight to Advil or tylenol."
"Why are you cautious about meds," Taylor asked.
"Long term effects," Allison replied, "we know NSAIDS can be hard on the liver and stomach. Theres a risk of dependency with stronger medications and her muscle relaxant so it's a last resort. I don't want my 6 year old dependent on medications. I wonder if the push for her to walk as much as she does makes it worse sometimes."
"But she has to walk," Taylor said.
"I used to think so too," Allison replied, "but when I see how much pain she's in after school, how exhausted she is from walking all day I wonder. She comes home tired and grumpy and in pain. I don't want her in constant pain. We usually let her choose what she uses, we have a walker for her, the crutches and a wheel chair."
"Can she walk unaided," Taylor asked.
"She will at home or at my sisters where she feels safe to do it," Allison replied, "but it's 10-20 steps before it's too much for her. Long outings and long days we encourage the wheelchair or take it with us incase she wants it. The blue folding wagon was a godsend because she could sit in it like a normal kid would."
"Now," Taylor asked.
"We still use the wagon for things like the farmers market or the beach," Allison replied, "sometimes we get comments about her being big enough to walk but we try to ignore it."
"And you," Taylor asked, "what about you?"
"I haven't been just me in 7 years," Allison replied, "I'm okay."
"Okay or thriving," Taylor asked.
"It's med school," Allison replied, "I'm just thankful we make it work without me needing a job."
"You don't work," Taylor asked.
"We live in my parents basement suite," Allison replied, "my car was my moms and I've had it since Ev was a newborn. Ash works a ton of over time."
"Your loans must be horrific," Taylor commented.
"Not too bad," Allison replied, "I don't know how people do it on their own and with out support right there."
"What do you mean," Taylor asked.
"Being away from family," Allison replied, "living alone."
"My family doesn't get it," Taylor replied, "it's get a job already Tay."
"Really," Allison asked.
"Ya," Taylor replied, "they say I'm wasting my life in school."
"You're from Seattle," Taylor said, "a big city. In my town we don't need higher education. I'm just wasting time and money on a dream. Too good for them they say. Most of the girls I graduated with are married with a couple kids. They never looked beyond our town."
"Why," Allison asked trying to understand.
"Because that's all they know and all they see," Taylor replied.
"I used to watch this show set at a fictional hospital in Seattle," Taylor said, "and the characters how strong all the women were at the hospital, how smart and confident I wanted that."
"You watched Seattle Grace as well," Allison asked.
"Ya," Taylor replied.
"It's modelled after Grey Sloan," Allison replied, "that's what Grey Sloan is like. Tay you could have that. Apply for the sub internship there next year."
"I'd never be able to afford six weeks in Seattle," Taylor replied.
"I have an idea if you get it," Allison replied, "my parents would do a home stay for you or my sister or my aunt. You could stay with my family hang out with Ash and I."
"Your second generation," Taylor said, "you don't get it. You've been sheltered. You may have gotten pregnant at 17 but you had family who were able to support you and help you. If I had I wouldn't have gone to college or med school. I'd be a waitress or cashier in my home town. I didn't date because I knew my only way out of that town was education."
"Do you know how hard it is to be always second guessing yourself," Allison asked, "to wonder if you're making the right choice not just for your self but for your family? Every thing you do has to be right for someone else. I can't buy a shirt or nail polish with out questioning myself."
"Your husband," Taylor asked.
"Ash wouldn't say anything but our budget is tight we spend more on Ev than ourselves," Allison replied.
"But if you did," Taylor asked.
"How much have I spent on text books recently," Allison asked.
"Are you eligible for any grants," Taylor asked.
"I have a scholarship that does tuition," Allison admitted.
"How there's not many of those," Taylor said, "I keep trying for one with the Fox foundation but."
"Email it to Catherine Fox directly," Allison suggested, "I have the Richard Webber memorial award. I actually knew him."
"You knew him," Taylor gasped.
"He worked at Grey Sloan with my parents," Allison replied .
"You probably know Meredith Grey and Miranda Bailey," Taylor replied.
"It was Meredith's daughter that was booting for me," Allison admitted.
"Really," Taylor asked.
"Ellis, her youngest," Allison replied, "she's 6 years older than me. Come to Seattle for a sub internship if you can."
"How would I," Taylor asked.
"Apply and stay with us," Allison invited, "I'll work it out."
"Your husband," Taylor asked.
"Ash will understand," Allison assured, "I'm worried about them on the drive home but he'll call when they get there."
"They'll be okay," Taylor assured.
"I worry," Allison replied.
"They're fine," Taylor replied.
Asher paused and looked around, he had about a quarter tank of gas left and no idea where they were. They had been detoured around a road wash out and had no cell reception.
"Daddy where are we," Everly asked.
"I don't know princess," Asher replied.
"Are we lost," Everly asked.
"No," Asher replied.
"I have to go to the bath room," Everly complained.
"Okay your going to have to go in the bushes," Asher replied.
"No," Everly whined.
"You have to princess," Asher replied.
Asher lifted Everly out of the truck and guided her to the side of a log.
When they got back in the truck Asher checked his phone again.
"We're going to go back," Asher replied, "there was a gas station about 45 minutes back we'll go there and figure it out."
Allison checked her phone for a text from asher then called Teddy.
"Allie," Teddy answered.
"Are Asher and Ev home yet," Allison asked.
"No," Teddy replied, "when did they leave?"
"8am," Allison replied, "they should have been there around 5 or 6 but it's 10."
"Breathe," Teddy replied, "have you called him?"
"I have," Allison replied, "it goes straight to voice mail."
"Okay," Teddy replied, "if they're not home and we haven't heard by midnight we'll call the police. There was a side on the mountain pass today. No cars were caught there's no one trapped but the road is blocked in two spots. He probably took a detour."
"Mom I'm worried," Allison said.
"I know baby girl," Teddy replied, "I've had to worry about dad when he was out of contact for a while."
"When," Allison asked.
"In Iraq," Teddy replied, "but he was okay."
"It's not just Ash it's Ev," Allison replied.
"I know," Teddy replied, "give it two more hours."
"Mommy," Allison whined.
"Allison breathe," Teddy soothed, "I'm sure they just took a detour thats taking longer than predicted."
"But what if," Allison asked.
"Allison they are okay," Teddy promised.
Asher turned the truck around and headed back down the highway they had just come down.
"Daddy where is everyone," Everly asked.
"I don't know," Asher replied, "Ev I need you to sit really quiet."
"Why," Everly asked.
"I'm trying to figure out where we are and get a hold of mom," Asher replied, "my phone doesn't have much reception."
"Are we lost," Everly asked.
"I took a wrong turn but I don't know where," Asher replied, "we're going back to the gas station about 45 minutes back and I'm going to figure it out. We'll find something to snack on and figure it out."
"I can't find Kiki," Everly said.
"I saw your doll when I opened the door," Asher replied, "do you want me to get her for you? She was on the floor on tha passenger side."
"Please," Everly replied.
Asher got back out of the truck and grabbed the doll for Everly.
"Thank you," Everly said hugging her doll.
"Okay we're going to drive," Asher said.
Taylor's phone rang, "yes Dr Mah. I can come. Allison's husband and Daughter are missing."
"I need both of you," Dr Mah said, 'theres been a wash out you two need to come to the clinic then were going to help."
"I don't know if Allie is in any shape to," Taylor said.
"She has to," Dr Mah replied, 'this is rural medicine."
Taylor got Allison's attention and they got dressed to go to work.
Asher drove back to the gas station. As they reached it a land slide thundered down the mountain side.
"Daddy," Everly whined.
"That was a land slide," Asher replied, "there's nothing to worry about. We're safe. I'm going to see if we can get a hold of mom."
"Daddy," Everly complained.
"Come on," Asher said, "put your coat on, leave Kiki in the truck."
"I want mom," Everly whined, "I'm scared.
"I'm here," Asher assured, getting out of the truck and opening the back door, "I'm here princess."
Asher lifted Everly out, "it's wet gravel I have to carry you, I can't see the ground enough to know if it's safe."
"Okay," Everly replied as Asher lifted her out. He locked the truck and walked towards the small gas station building.
Allison and Taylor met Dr Mah at the clinic.
"Okay we have about a 2-3 hour drive it'll be midnight and there's no reception," Dr Mah said.
"Sir can I stay here," Allison, "my husband and daughter left here at 8am and haven't made it back to Seattle yet. I haven't heard from him since noon."
"Allison you have to come work," Dr Mah replied, "let someone at home know."
Allison called Teddy in tears.
"Breathe baby girl," Teddy directed, "you have to go be a doctor. Allie, they're okay. Asher is a smart man, he knows what he's doing. They probably stopped somewhere to wait out the storm and the slides without reception. Go work Allie. Text or call when you can and if he can't get a hold of you Asher will call me."
Dr Mah loaded the last of the gear into his truck and told the two students to get in the truck. He gave directions as they drove towards the hamlet where slide victims and those traped by it were to gather.
"Asher, Everly," Allison whispered.
"If they weren't through the mountains yet they'll have been turned back to there," Dr Mah assured, "people from hundreds of miles around will gather. Allison I haven't heard of any vehicles being caught in the slides. Either your husband has turned back and we will meet him at the rendezvous point or back in McCall or he's through and will touch base soon."
Asher walked into the gas station with a terrified and now crying Everly in his arms.
"Are you okay," an old woman behind the counter asked.
"We need gas and a phone," Asher replied.
'I have a land line," the lady said, "and how much gas?"
"$200," Asher said, "and can I use your phone."
"Is the little one okay," the woman asked.
"She's scared," Asher replied.
"I want my mommy," Everly whimpered.
"Oh darling where is your mom," the woman asked.
"We were just visiting her in McCall and were heading home to Seattle but the passes have been closed with slides and I got turned around," Asher replied.
"Call her mother and let her know she's safe," the woman said, "then the town sets up a shelter for those that get stuck at the school gym."
Asher took the phone the woman handed him and dialled Allison it went straight to voice mail.
"What's wrong daddy," Everly asked.
"Mom isn't answering her phone," Asher replied, "do you mind if I make one more call?"
"Your parents," the woman asked.
"My wife's," Asher replied, "she's in McCall for work for a month and we went to visit and now we're lost."
"Call your inlaws," the woman agreed.
"Hello," Owen answered the strange number.
"Owen," Asher gasped.
"Asher where are you," Owen asked, "we expected you by six."
"The roads are washed out," Asher replied, "were in a small town I don't even know the name of but Ev and I are safe. We're going to stay here in the slide shelter for the night and hopefully get home tomorrow. They have wifi at the gas station coffee shop were in I'll email work. Ev is safe I have 2 days worth of her meds. Allie isn't answering her phone, it's going to voicemail."
"She went with Dr Mah to help," Owen said, "real field work. Text or message her and she'll be in touch when she can."
"I have to go Ev is crying," Asher said.
"Okay go look after her," Owen said, "If we hear from Allie we'll tell her you're okay."
"Thank you," Asher replied than hung up.
"Owen," Teddy asked.
"It was Asher," Owen replied, "he doesn't know the name of the town but him and Ev are safe. They're going to spend the night and try to come home tomorrow. The roads are all washed out and they're safer to stay put."
"Has he talked to Allie," Teddy asked.
"Not yet her phone is going to voicemail," Owen replied.
As they drove Allison got increasingly tense.
"Allison you have to turn your personal life off," Dr Mah coached, "you love your husband and daughter and have a beautiful family. But reception in these mountains sucks. I'm sure they got turned around and have found somewhere safe for the night and you'll hear from him as soon as he has reception."
"But they're my whole world," Allison whimpered.
"I know they are," Dr Mah said, "years ago I had a wife and a son. They were my world."
"What happened," Taylor asked.
"My son was killed in Iraq," Dr Mah said, 'then my wife couldn't continue to live and decided to join him."
"I'm sorry sir," Allison replied.
"Allison you will hold your little girl and kiss your husband very soon," Dr Mah assured.
"Your son," Taylor asked.
"He was a medic," Dr Mah replied, "it's 30 years ago now. He was 20. I got a call from Major Hunt."
"Owen Hunt," Allison asked.
"Yes," Dr Mah replied.
"My dad," Allison answered.
"I spoke to him and a Major Altman and they sounded so apologetic and upset on the phone," Dr Mah replied, "they said they worked on him for 10 hours and they couldn't get his heart to restart. The woman sounded ready to cry."
"Teddy Altman is my mom," Allison replied, "she still cries when she loses patients. She hates it. I'm so sorry you lost your son, I can't imagine how much that hurt."
"Thank you. So you know how to do field work," Dr Mah asked.
"I grew up hearing stories," Allison replied, "I've seen my parents, sister and her husband go do it in Rivers Inlet or at the cabin but I haven't been allowed to go yet."
"Okay you two," Dr Mah said, "work fast, do what you can. Sutures, minor things do it. If you feel confident do it."
"Okay," Allison agreed.
"Really,' Taylor asked.
"This is a different situation," Dr Mah replied, "do what you can if you're unsure, ask me."
"Yes sir," Allison replied.
"Army brat," Dr Mah tried to tease.
"Yes," Allison replied, "and my brother will serve once he finishes med school."
"We have about 45 minutes," Dr Mah said, 'hydrate and eat."
"I can't eat," Allison replied.
"You have to," Dr Mah said, "we don't know when we'll eat again."
Allison tried to take a few bites of her granola bar but choked on it, she was too anxious to eat.