Page 6 of Scrubbing In
The VP of Medical Operations, Alisha, and Diego remain in the room. We video conference in a Human Resources associate. “We understand your desire as an ABOS Board Certified surgeon with a subspecialty certification in Sports Medicine and as an Orthopaedic Trauma Fellow, you wish to continue practicing both specialities. Therefore, we would like to present you with the most up-to-date contract that we have diligently negotiated over the past month that reflects our commitment to providing you with that opportunity.”
The group proceeds with reviewing the contract, but my mind keeps wandering to thoughts of Leena as they highlight the previous points of differences and agreed-upon compromises. When we go over my elective Sports Medicine practice clinic and OR block time, I force the beautiful distraction from my mind.
“It has been agreed to give you a temporary OR block outside of your regularly scheduled trauma shift.” Handing me a sheet of paper, she continues, “The highlighted block, every other Friday morning has been assigned to you. In six months’ time, we will reevaluate your utilization of this block to determine if the numbers are there to continue or if we must decrease your allotted time.”
“I appreciate your confidence in me, and greatly value the opportunity to prove it is a worthwhile investment.”
After the lunch that was delivered, Alisha and the HR associate are readying everything on the table as we wait for a paralegal to join us. I stand to stretch my long legs after the prolonged sitting in the uncomfortable chair.
I should be relieved to be signing this contract today, and I am. The desire to work somewhere closer to my family has been growing with each year that passes, and Bayberry Park is less than a two-hour drive home. Also, I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to work with my mentor and friend.
But my heart beats dully in my chest, despondent at my missed chance with Leena. It’s like there is an uncomfortable sensation buzzing under my skin, making me edgy.
I curse myself for getting so distracted by Alisha’s call, because had I been in more control, I might now be sitting with Leena’s number programmed in my phone, wondering if it was too soon to text or call.
“Dr. Jacobs, we’re ready.” A soft brush of a hand over my forearm jolts me from my depressing thoughts. Looking down, I see Alisha’s hand is still resting on my forearm. Shifting my arm away from her, I extend it towards the table, indicating she should proceed.
While signing my employment contract and other onboarding paperwork, both of our phones ping with a text notification.
Connor: Trauma STAT coming in. Based on the report, I’ll be tied up in surgery most of the evening. So I obviously won’t be able to make dinner. Possibility of changing flight to stay 1 more day? I would really like Jacobs to tour a few departments, especially the OR and spend time with me in surgery tomorrow. We could have dinner tomorrow evening after I get off shift. Hope you can make this happen. I’ll check in later. Thx.
Alisha leans back in her chair, looking at me behind the paralegal’s back and asks, “Does your schedule allow for you to stay one more day?” I nod, and she beams at me. “Great! I’ll get my admin started on changing your flight and extending your hotel reservation.”
My mind starts racing with possibilities as I pack up my bag. Should I surprise my parents and show up for dinner? Do I want to make that drive and back tonight? Even though I will now for sure be relocating here in a couple weeks, it may be longer before I can spend time with my family while I settle in. Plus, it may be the diversion I need from my preoccupation with a certain pint-sized beauty who I stupidly let slip through my fingers.
Pulling the chair out next to me, Alisha sits and spins in my direction while leaning forward into my space. I realize we are the last people in the room. “So it’s official! And what a pleasure it is being the first one to officially welcome you to our team.”
Leaning away from her on the pretense of standing, I say, “Thank you,” as I hold out my hand to shake hers.
Standing, she grasps my hand in both of hers. “I’m looking forward to seeing you around.” Fluttering her lashes at me, she continues, “Maybe we?—”
At that exact moment, Diego steps into the room. “Hear you're staying another day.”
“It looks that way.” I run my hand over my beard and rock back on my heels, trying to create space between Alisha and me. I’m grateful to whatever forces are at work for his interruption.
Taking a step back, she begins tucking her hair behind her ears. “Dr. Walsh anticipates being tied up in the OR all evening. He requested Dr. Jacobs stay one more day so he can join him in surgery. We’ll be moving dinner to tomorrow. Will that work for you?” She is all business again, but that brief moment when it felt like she was about to ask me out makes my gut clench.
I check the time on my phone as Alisha and Diego discuss dinner details. It’s early enough that if I leave soon, I can make it to Saltmeadow Point around my parents' usual dinner time.
As we leave the conference room, Alisha lets me know that my hotel stay has been extended and she will be sending my updated flight confirmation. Once we are in the main lobby of the hospital, I make a polite but hasty exit.
Alisha wouldn’t normally catch my eye—actually, no woman has for a long time. But I am very much not interested now when my mind is in disarray and I’m flooded with disappointment. Even though our interaction was brief and I badly fumbled my chance, my head has most definitely been turned by a petite, green-eyed siren who will no doubt haunt my dreams.
CHAPTER SIX
Leena
The garage doorslams so hard the picture frames rattle on the wall, and I jump at the sudden sound that is followed by my best friend hollering for me. I relax back into the couch where I have my foot elevated. I’ve been attempting not to dwell on how this morning ended by watching TV and mindlessly scrolling social media, but nothing has worked. My mind has been trapped in such an endless spiral that I didn’t even hear her car pull into the garage.
Charlie and I work together in the Operating Room where we met. We were both hired on at the same time, her as a surgical technologist—also called a scrub tech—and me as a registered nurse.
I’d never pictured myself working in the OR, but after I graduated from school and passed my boards, that was one of my first job offers. Most units wanted an experienced RN, but I was determined to find a job. Hand delivering my resume to most of the units at Palmetto Regional Medical Center, I met the OR manager, Ivy, and she basically interviewed me on the spot. I loved the vibe and feel of the department, and the orientation process I would follow, so I jumped at the opportunity when she offered me a job, and I have never once regretted my decision.
As for Charlie and me, it seemed to work out that we were placed in many of the same rooms and scheduled on the same call shifts during our orientation. We became extremely close very fast being newbies together. She quickly became one of my best friends, eventually moving in with me.
“Mama!” she calls, bursting into the living room, eyes locking on where I lay on the couch with pillows propping up my injured ankle. A slight frown marrs her face. “I need the whole story, beginning to end, right now!”
As soon as I got home, I sent a text telling her about the whole encounter with Julian, basically a string of heart-eye emojis from his eye-catching entrance to a bandaged heart emoji at me leaving Grind House with nothing more than a paid-for to-go cup. I needed to know I wasn’t crazy and read everything wrong.
