Page 2 of Clinically Delicious
Dr. Hayden Walker, the clinic’s doctor of geriatric medicine and former teacher of Yale’s sterile academic halls. Hayden had been more than a teacher to us; he was our mentor, a steadfast surgeon with years of experience and a raw talent that put him above all the rest and when the politics of Yale poisoned what he once loved, he walked away, leaving behind the stench of hypocrisy clinging to his white coat.
The University considered us a band of outlaws because we all stepped away from promising careers in our chosen fields, forgoing the glory of prestige and innovative discoveries to offer a different kind of healing, one born of the simple knowledge our patients weren’t just fucking numbers but people who deserved to be listened to and not ignored.
“She lives fucking next door to Gabe. It’s not like she has to drive across town.”
“My point exactly. What is taking her so long?”
“Maybe she wants to look extra nice.” Quinton smirked, elbowing Fitz as the two of them wiggled their eyebrows.
Dr. Quinton Wesley’s laugh lines etched around his eyes belied his shrewd intelligence. As the resident emergency medicine doctor and cosmetic surgeon, Quinton was the office jester, a whirlwind of effortless charm and quick wit that could disarm even the crankiest patient. But the scent of stale beer and cheap cigars clinging to his tweed jacket hinted at nights spent far from the sterile confines of a hospital, nights fueled by secrets and shadowed desires. His laughter, a gravelly baritone, resonated in his very bones and was infectious. But his laid-back demeanor was a carefully constructed façade, a shield againstthe darkness he both witnessed and carried within. Quinton only intervened when there was a threat of violence; his calm was a chilling promise of swift, brutal justice. The only thing more terrifying than his casual mirth was the icy glint in his eye when that mirth finally died.
Rolling my eyes at his antics, I groaned. “She’s just the nanny.”
“A potentially hot nanny,” Fitz quickly said before fist-bumping Quinton.
“Does Megan like her?” Nathan asked, concern written all over his face. “Because if she doesn’t, we don’t have a problem with her being here at the office.”
“Well...” Julien piped up, only for Hayden to smack him on the back of the head.
“Nate’s right, Gabe,” Hayden firmly stated, glaring at Julien, who rubbed the back of his head. “Ladybug is always welcome here. She makes this place better, and the patients love her.”
Exhaling deeply and pinching the bridge of my nose, I asked, “Besides my daughter, what’s the schedule look like today? I know I have only two appointments scheduled. The McDaniel boys are coming in an hour for their yearly well-checkups, and then someone needs to warn Winnie that Mr. Johns is bringing in the New Haven Little League Soccer team for their sports check-ups. That will take up the rest of my day.”
Fitz grinned evilly. “I’ll tell her.”
“NO!” everyone shouted as Hayden pointed his finger at him.
“You will stay the hell away from Winnie today. It’s bad enough that Mr. Johns will be here; I don’t need you aggravating her anymore. The woman already has her hands full organizing our days. Be nice.”
“I’m always nice.” Fitz gasped, his hand covering his heart. “Honest. I’ll be the perfect Boy Scout today.”
“You were never a Boy Scout,” I snarked, shaking my head.
Opening a folder, Quinton spoke, “I’ve got Mrs. Pataki coming in for a breast augmentation consult. This will be her third one, and I’ve got Mr. Valero coming in for another wound debridement.”
“What did he do this time?” Hayden asked, shaking his head.
“Old man refuses to let his son handle Spartacus. The damn horse bit his ass, and it’s not healing right. Might need you to step in and give him the old-man-to-old-man talk, Hayden. He listens only to you anyway.”
Hayden flipped Quinton the one-finger bird, nodding as he added that to his calendar. “Rounding out my day, I will be at the University Hospital for my rotation on the burn unit, so if you guys need me, just page me.”
“I’ve got a full schedule,” Hayden spoke next. “But, Julien, I’ll need you when Mrs. Alexander comes in. Her daughter wants her checked for dementia and Alzheimer’s. Says she’s been forgetful and foggy lately.”
“Not a problem,” Julien replied, making a note in his day planner before adding, “My morning is free, but I have the tumor resection today at two, which means Nathan will cover the rest of my patients.”
“And on that note,” Nathan added. “It’s flu season, so my schedule is full. So if any of you can jump in and help me clear out the waiting room, I’d be grateful.”
“Alright, everyone,” Hayden stated, closing his file. “You heard Nathan. All hands on deck today. I’ll get Winnie to order in lunch for us. Gabe, we will see you when you get here. Give Ladybug a hug and kiss from her uncles.”
Nodding, I closed my laptop when I heard the doorbell ring.
