The Right Choice (Emergency Short Film: Kunle's Account)

It's been a few days since that night, where it felt like our lives were on the line. Looking back at it, things could've turned for the worst and sealed our fates for the worst. I'm beyond relieved, however, my mind is preoccupied and curious. How did she get in? Why was she alone? Who's her family? It's been getting in the way of my school work but thankfully, graduation is around the corner.

I have a ways to go for my future career as an emergency physician and with medical school application deadlines approaching, I can't help but feel a bit anxious. I'm still shocked at how I made it this far, especially with all the drama that surrounds our neighborhood. I've never joined a gang, robbed people, or caused harm to others. I've only smoked weed on occasion. I guess I've always been somewhat of nerd, despite being friends with the "cool" kids.

Sean on the other hand, has embedded himself more and more in dangerous territories, slowly contributing to the statistics. I love him, Carlos, and Luis, I mean, we've been friends since we were kids. It's just that as I've been trying to focus more seriously about my goals, they've have managed to either directly or indirectly suck me into some nonsense. After that night, with the passed out girl, I had enough. I won't be cutting them off, but I will keep my distance, I can't afford any mistakes at this point.

I have managed to maintain a 3.9 GPA while working at Pizza Hut, squeezing in homework in between deliveries. I also was invited into the Alpha Epsilon Delta pre med honor society while losing my father to cancer. Of all the admissions requirements for med school needed, including the letters of recommendation and shadowing hours, the only thing left needed was the final interview.

Well...today's the big day. It's been a few weeks since I last wrote about my pre med anxiety and the night that changed me. I'm heading to the interview, with Dr. Jessica Carter. It's one more step closer to my dream of attending medical school. I feel like I left some things out of my essay so I'll provide those details then. As I find a spot in the parking lot, I take a minute to pause and reflect.

I get out and walk to the office and there she is. Suddenly, I feel somewhat comfortable although still nervous of course. We began the interview with some formal small talk and then she asked me different questions about my past, upbringing, school achievements, etc. It was obvious she was impressed, so we were off to a great start. Then...she asked..."So, Kunle, why do you want to become a Doctor"?

I went blank and froze. Nothing went on in my mind for a few seconds and then I remembered...that night. Sure, I want to show people that I'm not your typical black male who's just going to end up dead in a cell or on a street, but that's not all of it. I realized the answer was with that woman. "Take your time" she said, gently trying to get me to come back.

I went with my gut and told her about that night. I told her that I wanted to know what to do in that situation medically. That I thought about what if it had been me instead? That woman had someone hoping she would come home. I wanted to be the reason why people make it home safe.

As I finished my response, I noticed tears in her eyes. I was taken back and confused. Was my response that good or did I bring up some past trauma of hers and completely ruin my interview? I apologized and she replied with, "No...thank you." I was confused. Was that it? I'm never getting into medical now.

"I know you and your friends were conflicted on what to do that night, but at the end of the day, if you guys wouldn't have called 9-1-1, I would've died". I quickly put two and two together and realized who she was. "I was going through some tough times in my life. I lost a lot of patients and was going through a nasty divorce. My kids wanted nothing to do with me. The doc at the ER told me that I arrived there just in time. You saved my life, Kunle". I was left speechless. I can't believe I didn't recognize her. For it only being a few weeks, she looked and seemed good as new. The interview came to a close and as I walked out of the door, she said with a reassuring smile, "Oh and by the way, I'd keep an eye on your email."