Jack is a doctor filling in at an ER in Idaho, and his motto is ‘nothing messy’. Things get messy. This poignant story has lingered for a while.

Jack’s heart was as soft as a beat-up Courtyard by Marriott pillow. He didn’t know this. He was a fine diagnostician for everyone but himself. All that time on the barstool with his ‘nothing messy’ motto and list of things he couldn’t abide? Just trying to build up his defenses. Defenses that Connie toppled with a few tears.