Chapter 11 - The Notice at the Front Desk.
Rachel stopped in the middle of the hallway.
Emma stopped beside her.
The receptionist, Amanda, looked apologetic.
“This came through while you were with Dr. Mercer.”
Rachel stared at the paper.
“Please tell me it isn't another test result.”
“It isn't.”
That should have helped.
It did not.
Rachel walked to the desk.
“What is it?”
Amanda lowered her voice.
“A patient identity correction notice.”
Rachel's shoulders tensed again.
“I thought that was already fixed.”
“It is being fixed.”
“Those are different sentences.”
Amanda nodded.
“Yes.”
She handed Rachel the notice.
The page explained that one external record item and one laboratory result had been temporarily associated with Emma's chart and were being corrected.
It also contained a support number.
Rachel read the entire page twice.
“What do I need to do?”
“Nothing medically.”
Rachel looked up.
“Then why do I need this before I leave?”
“Because you have the right to know a correction was made.”
That answer calmed her slightly.
Emma leaned against the counter.
“Can we get my medicine now?”
“Yes,” Rachel said.
Amanda smiled at Emma.
“Your mom has been very patient today.”
Emma shook her head.
“No, she hasn't.”
Rachel looked at her.
Emma added quickly.
“But she had a reason.”
Amanda laughed.
“So did I.”
Dr. Mercer appeared in the hallway behind them.
“Everything all right?”
Rachel held up the notice.
“I am trying to decide.”
He walked over and read it.
“This is the formal correction notice I expected.”
“Why did nobody tell me it was coming?”
“I should have.”
Rachel appreciated another direct answer.
“Is there anything on this page I should worry about?”
“No.”
“Anything that changes Emma's diagnosis?”
“No.”
“Anything that changes the prescription?”
“No.”
“Anything that means she needs another test?”
“No.”
Emma looked up.
“Or a shot?”
Dr. Mercer smiled.
“No.”
Emma nodded in satisfaction.
“Then I like this paper.”
Rachel folded it with the visit summary.
She thanked Amanda and started toward the exit.
The automatic doors opened to bright afternoon sunlight.
After hours under fluorescent lights, the outside world looked almost unreal.
Emma took a deep breath.
“Can we get fries?”
Rachel looked at her.
“You said your stomach hurt.”
“It hurts less now.”
“That is suspicious timing.”
Emma smiled for the first time that day.
Rachel's phone rang again.
She nearly ignored it.
Then she saw the pharmacy number.
She answered.
“Please tell me the medicine is ready.”
Dana's voice sounded cheerful.
“It is.”
Rachel relaxed.
“There is one thing I wanted to confirm.”
Rachel froze.
Of course there was one thing.
“What?”
“The dosing instructions we received are correct, but the insurance printout still lists an old weight.”
Rachel looked at Emma.
“Does that affect what you are dispensing?”
“No.”
“The doctor's prescription has the current weight and correct dose.”
“Then why tell me?”
“Because after the record issue today, I thought you would want to know what I saw.”
Rachel's irritation softened.
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
Dana promised to attach a note to the pharmacy profile.
Rachel ended the call.
Emma studied her.
“Another angry computer?”
“One last old number.”
“Can we still get fries?”
Rachel looked at the clinic behind them.
Then at the sunlight.
Then at her daughter, who seemed more like herself every minute.
“Yes.”
They made it halfway to the car before Rachel's phone buzzed again.
This time the message was not from the clinic.
It was from Emma's father, Michael.
Rachel opened it.
May you like
Emma told me something went wrong with her tests.
Why didn't you call me?
