The Shepherd Legacy

Missed Assignments

Mary is a high school senior, not a resident. 

The family of five sat around the dinner table, engaged in a lively game of Monopoly. Mary, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, was clearly dominating the game, and laughter echoed through the room as playful banter flowed. The atmosphere was light and warm, a stark contrast to the challenges they had faced as a makeshift family.

"Derek, our sister is wiping the floor with us!" Mark exclaimed, his eyes fixed on the Monopoly board.

Derek chuckled, shaking his head. "I've been telling you, she's got a mind for strategy. It's that Shepherd genius, you know."

Meredith, Derek's girlfriend, rolled her eyes in mock annoyance. "Oh, spare us, Doctor Shepherd. Not everyone can be a neurosurgeon in the making."

Lexie, Mark's girlfriend and Meredith's sister, grinned. "Maybe it's contagious. I might catch the genius bug."

The jokes continued as the game progressed, and everyone was enjoying the rare moment of relaxation. However, the tranquility was interrupted when Mark's phone chimed, signaling a message. Excusing himself with a smile, Mark stood up and left the room, heading to the hallway to read the notification. His expression grew serious as he absorbed the contents.

Meanwhile, Mary continued her winning streak, but her focus waned as Mark's absence lingered. Derek shot a questioning look at Mark, who subtly gestured that he had the situation under control. Concern flickered in Derek's eyes, but he trusted Mark to handle whatever had come up.

In the hallway, Mark dialed Mary's school, seeking more information about the message. The news wasn't good—Mary had failed to submit several assignments, and her grades were slipping. Determined to address the issue without causing a scene at the dinner table, Mark called Mary over.

"Hey, kiddo," Mark said with a gentle smile, trying to keep the tone light. "Mind stepping into the hallway with me for a moment?"

Mary hesitated, glancing around at her family, but she complied, following Mark into the hallway. Once they were out of earshot, Mark's expression turned serious.

"I got an email from your school, Mary," he began, his voice calm but firm. "They say you haven't submitted your assignments. What's going on?"

Mary avoided eye contact, a sheepish expression crossing her face. She didn't want to lie to Mark, but the truth was something she knew he wouldn't take lightly.

"I, uh, got caught up in this TV show I've been binge-watching," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mark sighed, disappointed but not surprised, his gaze unwavering. "Mary, you know better than this. Education is crucial, and you can't let distractions get in the way. We'll discuss this more later, but for now, let's get back to the table and enjoy the rest of the evening. Deal?"

Mary nodded, realizing the gravity of her mistake. Mark's stern yet caring demeanor resonated with her, making her regret her lapse in judgment.

Back at the dinner table, the Monopoly game continued, but Mary's once joyful demeanor had shifted. Derek noticed the change and exchanged a concerned glance with Mark, who subtly reassured him that they would handle it.

As the game concluded and everyone began to disperse, Mary was on the verge of heading upstairs to her room when a cough from Mark caught her attention. She turned to see him standing by the entrance to the hallway, silently reminding her of their impending conversation.

She hesitated for a moment before sheepishly changing directions, heading to the office. Mark followed suit, closing the door behind them. The air in the room became charged with a sense of responsibility and accountability. The office had seen its fair share of serious discussions, and Mary couldn't shake the nervousness that settled in her stomach.