Never Grow Up

a little confused.” Dad chuckled. “We will not be going near, nor will we be performing, any surgeries today.” Dad paused. “Got it?”
Ashley’s eyes got wide, and her mouth hung open. “I truly thought that was the whole point, Father. To take part in a surgery.”
Kari tapped Ashley’s shoulder.
“Yes?” Ashley turned to her. “Can I help you?”
“The point today is to learn more about different jobs and see what we enjoy.” Kari looked at her notebook again. “Let’s all collect observations. Then we can share them.”
“I like that!” Brooke looked back at Kari and Ashley. “We can do that!”
Ashley smiled. “Maybe I could draw something.”
“Exactly.” Dad nodded. “There you go, Ashley.”
Kari smiled at her dad in the mirror and took in a deep breath. In a few hours she would know if she wanted to be a doctor. They were entering the hospital for a behind-the-scenes look. Like Charlie Bucket heading into Willy Wonka’s factory. She could hardly wait. In fact, the closer they got to Dad’s work, the more Kari was sure a hospital was exactly where she wanted to work. And that there was nothing she’d rather be than a doctor.
Just like her dad.
An hour later Kari knew the truth.
Behind the scenes at the hospital was nothing like Willy Wonka’s factory. The walls were a green shade of yellow, the lights hummed, and machines were always beeping. This was different from the part of the hospital where Alex stayed. There they had toys and bright colors in every room.
She flipped to an open page in her notebook: Buzzing lights. No toys. Kind of… creepy.
Next Kari and her sisters sat in a stuffy room watching a video on the life of a hospital employee. They were with a few other kids whose parents worked here. The place smelled like old coffee and cleaning supplies.
A friendly woman with beautiful dark skin and a hundred pretty braids stood nearby. She was in charge of the students for Career Day. Her name was Miss Brandy. She held a clipboard and tapped her foot to the upbeat music coming from the TV.
On the screen a professional-type woman said, “So you see”—her voice sounded smart—“there are several hospital jobs besides being a doctor or nurse.” Pictures of workers came on the TV. The woman finished her point. “You could be a janitor, a receptionist, or you could work on the kitchen staff. You might work in X-ray or other diagnostic testing areas.”
Kari thought about that. Die-agnostic? She pushed the idea from her mind. The idea that she might work at a hospital someday seemed less and less likely.
The video ended and Miss Brandy turned off the TV. “There you have it. An in-depth look at what we do around here. Any questions?”
Kari raised her hand. “Where’s my dad?” She hoped maybe he could take them home early.
“Your father is with a patient. We’ll go see him soon.” Miss Brandy looked around. “Anyone else?”
“What sort of training do I need to be a janitor?” The question came from a boy who looked about Erin’s age. He had spiky hair. “I love trash.”
“Hmm.” Miss Brandy paused. “I’m not quite sure about the training. But there’s a role for everyone, especially at a hospital. Here, you can definitely find something that makes you happy.”
The spiky-haired kid smiled. Satisfied.
Ashley raised her hand. “Miss Brandy?”
“Yes, Ashley?”
“Perhaps you could tell me where the surgery room is? I was hoping to watch an operation.” She stood and nodded. “I believe that should be next.”
Kari tugged on Ashley’s sweater. “You better behave!” She clenched her teeth and spoke in a low tone.
“Don’t!” Ashley frowned at her. Then she looked back at Miss Brandy. “Well?”
Miss Brandy’s eyes looked like they might pop out of her face. “I’m sorry. But you children will not be anywhere near an operating room.”
“My sister is a comedian.” Brooke patted Ashley’s head. “She knows we can’t perform surgery. We’re just kids. But maybe one day.”
Kari liked the sound of that. We’re just kids. Sometimes it was hard to remember.
“That’s good.” Miss Brandy exhaled. Her face looked relieved. “Something to look forward to, Ashley. Growing up has its benefits.”
Performing surgery? Kari didn’t see that as a benefit.
Ashley took a seat and crossed her arms. She was clearly not pleased.
Brooke looked at Miss Brandy. “I was wondering about… what was it? Patient therapy?”
“Yes.” Miss Brandy’s face lit up. “Physical therapy.”
“That’s it.” Brooke was beaming. She clearly loved this medical stuff.
For a few minutes, Miss Brandy told Brooke what physical therapy is. “It helps sick people get back to their everyday lives.”
“That’s cool.” Brooke jotted something into her notebook.
Kari couldn’t believe it. This medical stuff was like Christmas for Brooke.
Miss Brandy took everyone into the hall and to an empty hospital room where she explained various medical trinkets and tools. Kari tried to focus. With every hour she was more sure that working at a hospital wasn’t her thing. Sure, her dad helped people. He even saved lives.
That didn’t mean that she had to like it, too.
“Okay.” Miss Brandy put her hand in the air. “Line up. We are going to go to the cafeteria, tour the kitchen, have some lunch, and then you can meet up with your parent or guardian.”
The students followed Miss Brandy out of the room and down another hall. Kari was last in line, right behind Ashley. Suddenly commotion broke out behind them. Four people ran down the hallway pushing a stretcher and looking very nervous. They were shouting back and forth about something Kari couldn’t understand.
It seemed scary and stressful.
That settled it. Kari never wanted to work in a hospital. Being a doctor was out of the question. She had no idea hospital work was so serious. Which meant there was something else she would one day have to do.
When she grew up.
But for the life of her, Kari couldn’t figure out what that something was.
As Kari and her sisters ate lunch with the other kids on Career Day, Ashley kept the conversation lively.
“I’m