In the fall, I’m starting my first year of medical school. I’ve dreamed of being a pediatrician since I was a little girl and I’m getting ready to make that dream come true. I got great grades in school and had a “full ride” so my mom and dad said they could pay for me to go to one of the best med schools in the U.S.
Since all of my friends have already begun their careers I thought it might keep the summer moving if I found a job. I always loved looking after kids, so I put my name and resume into a childcare agency. One of the nice things this agency does for the caregivers, is that it lets us pick where to go for interviews. The first potential client seemed perfect for me. Kevin O’Neil, age 15 months, only child; full time care from June 20-August 20, lived in nice neighborhood, family had a country club membership that I could use and the money was great. I’d be leaving for Med School on August 25, so it seemed like a great way to keep from dying of boredom for the summer.
So, off I went to Mrs. O’Neil’s place. It was a big, beautiful colonial house. When Mrs. O’Neil greeted me, she seemed a bit older than the mother of a 15 month old, but I’ve met some older moms before. We spoke for about an hour and a half. She explained that her husband had died the previous year and then her job transferred her here just a couple of weeks ago. I said that was a rough year for her, especially with a young son. She smiled sadly and said that it was, but Kevin is a good boy and didn’t really give her any trouble. (I liked how that sounded.) Kevin, she said, was a bright, friendly boy who was full of energy but a bit small for his age.