Eleanor felt like only an hour had passed, but when she finally stepped back and said, “Close her up,” she glanced at the clock and gasped:
— Five hours?
Her assistant, stepping away from the table, wiped his brow:
— Honestly, Dr. Vance, I thought my legs were going to give out an hour ago. I don’t know how you stayed that focused.
Eleanor smiled behind her mask:
— You did excellent work. Thank you.
He laughed softly:
— Me? I just watched a masterclass. If you ever need a permanent assistant, I’m your guy.
They walked out of the OR, and Robert was immediately there, his face etched with anxiety:
— Well?
Eleanor pulled off her surgical cap and gave him a tired, genuine smile:
