CHARACTER
Yours Trulyby Abby Jimenez

Dr. Zander Reese

Dr. Zander Reese

Dr. Zander Reese is a nephrologist at Royaume Northwestern Hospital and the steadfast best friend of Dr. Jacob Maddox. As Jacob's former roommate through medical school and residency, Zander intimately understands Jacob's social anxiety and serves as his primary support system. He first appears in Chapter 4 and is also a compassionate doctor to Benny Ortiz.

Who He Is

Zander is the pragmatic, insightful friend everyone needs in their corner. He's the one who sees solutions where others see problems, offering a steady hand and a well-timed dose of humor. More than just a sounding board for Jacob, Zander is a catalyst, pushing him (and sometimes Briana) toward growth and connection. He embodies the power of friendship, loyalty, and a little bit of well-intentioned scheming.

Personality & Traits

Zander's personality is a blend of loyalty, perceptiveness, and a healthy dose of pragmatism. He navigates the world with a good-natured wit, offering support and guidance to those around him. He is the friend who knows when to offer a comforting word and when to give a gentle nudge.

  • Loyal and Supportive: Zander is Jacob's staunchest defender. He understands the nuances of Jacob's Mental Health and Anxiety and consistently creates a safe space for him. He chooses a familiar bar for drinks or vouches for his character to skeptical colleagues.
  • Perceptive and Insightful: He immediately grasps the politics behind Dr. Gibson's decision to delay the vote for chief. He accurately assesses Jacob's internal struggles in new social settings.
  • Pragmatic and Scheming: Zander often sees the most direct solution to a problem. It is his idea for Jacob to get tested as a kidney donor for Benny, and he is the one who suggests Jacob ask Dr. Briana Ortiz to be his fake girlfriend.
  • Good-Natured and Witty: Zander has an easy-going and humorous personality. He laughs easily and isn't afraid to tease his friends, but his humor is always rooted in affection and support. He provides moments of levity and perspective throughout the story.

Character Journey

Zander's arc is less about personal transformation and more about facilitating the growth of those around him. He remains a consistent and reliable presence throughout the story, acting as an anchor for Jacob and Briana. His most significant contribution is changing Briana's initial negative perception of Jacob, which sets their entire relationship in motion. He embodies the power of strong friendship, providing grounding and encouragement during times of immense personal challenge.

Key Relationships

  • Dr. Jacob Maddox: Zander is Jacob's best and oldest friend, a bond that forms the bedrock of Zander's role in the novel. He acts as Jacob's translator to the world, explaining his anxiety to others and helping him navigate difficult social dynamics. Jacob trusts Zander implicitly, confiding in him about his breakup with Amy and the fake-girlfriend lie.

  • Dr. Briana Ortiz: Zander maintains a friendly and professional relationship with Briana, respecting her as a physician. He is the first to challenge her misunderstanding of Jacob's character, telling her Jacob is "one of the good ones." This prompts her to reconsider her judgment, a pivotal moment in the story's theme of Communication and Misunderstanding.

  • Benny Ortiz: As Benny's nephrologist, Zander is professional, compassionate, and direct about the realities of his illness. He is the medical authority who orchestrates the kidney transplant, playing a direct role in the novel's exploration of Family, Illness, and Sacrifice.

Defining Moments

Zander's actions often serve as turning points for other characters, highlighting his role as a catalyst for change.

  • Defending Jacob to Briana: In Chapter 5, when Briana dismisses Jacob as rude, Zander immediately laughs off the assertion and explains that Jacob is shy and nervous, reframing his behavior for her. This conversation is the first step toward Briana seeing Jacob in a new light and understanding his social anxiety.

  • Initiating the Kidney Donation: During drinks in Chapter 4, Zander learns Jacob has a universal blood type and suggests he get tested as a potential donor for Benny. This single suggestion becomes the central plot point that intertwines Jacob's and Briana's lives and leads to Healing and Second Chances.

  • Suggesting the Fake Relationship: In Chapter 13, after Jacob's family mistakenly believes Briana is his girlfriend, Zander is the one who pragmatically suggests Jacob lean into the lie and ask her to be his date for the wedding events. This advice directly leads to the fake-dating arrangement that allows their real feelings to develop.

Essential Quotes

Zander's dialogue reveals his insightful nature and unwavering support for his friends.

"Jacob is not a dick. That guy’s the nicest dude you’ll ever meet, trust me. He’d give you the shirt off his back."

This quote, delivered to Briana in Chapter 5, encapsulates Zander's unwavering loyalty to Jacob. He sees beyond Jacob's social awkwardness and recognizes his inherent kindness, acting as a much-needed advocate.

"Starting a new job has gotta be like your own personal hell... The grown-up version of standing up in front of the class and introducing yourself."

Zander's empathy shines through in this quote, as he acknowledges the anxiety Jacob faces in new social situations. He validates Jacob's feelings, reminding him (and the reader) that even seemingly simple tasks can be daunting for someone with social anxiety.

"Well, ask her to be your girlfriend... Not for real. Ask her to help you out."

This quote highlights Zander's pragmatic approach to problem-solving. While the idea of a fake relationship seems outlandish, Zander sees it as a practical solution to Jacob's predicament, setting the stage for the central romantic plot.