ICU TOO

Chapter Sixteen

August 2023

CHICAGO, IL

CRYSTAL

"Good morning Dr. Whitfield." I said peeking my head into her office.

"Dr. Crystal Hayslett or should I say CEO of St. Joseph hospital." She said standing up. "You know I work for you and I can come to your office." She said.

"No thank you. I honestly still can't believe you didn't take the job-"

"I love being a doctor and I love saving lives. But, I love having time to be Lynn as well." She said smiling. "And plus it's about that time for me to throw in the towel." She said.

I chuckle, "Don't say that. This hospital still needs a head doctor they can count on." I tell her.

"And she's back. I'm glad she came back." She said just as my watch started going off.

"Meeting time." I said smiling widely.

"Okay here I come." Dr. Whitfield said.

This is my first hospital staff meeting as CEO and I am making a few adjustments. Some of them people might not agree with but it isn't my job to be their boss anymore.  I have to start thinking like a CEO, a boss. 

On my way to the conference room I bumped into Devale literally. He turned around and mugged me. 

"Hi Devale." I said nervously. 

He just looked at me. I swallowed my saliva and looked away. Things between us haven't been good. Not since our little STD incident. I've apologized over and over again but he just can't get over it. 

"Can we talk, after the meeting?" I ask making Devale snort. 

"I don't have nothing to say to you. I'm going to this bullshit meeting and I'm going on about my day." He said. 

"I think that we just need to sit down and talk, after everything you put me through I deserve that much-"

Devale put his hand up and cut me off. "I think what you deserve is an ass whooping for getting an STD and accusing it on me and Zena. Whole time you were just gullible and believed the first thing a man told you." He said making me roll my eyes. "You should be thanking me for pulling his charts and letting you know the truth-" 

"Yeah that's illegal Devale, do you know that?" I ask him. 

"So what? You weren't about to humiliate me in front of this damn hospital again." He said shaking his head. 

"Devale I'm sor-" 

"Whatever Crystal." He said waking into the conference room. 

I stood outside and gathered myself before walking into the meeting room a few moments after Devale. I didn't want it to seem suspicious. Even though people probably already suspect something is going on. 

But still, I waked into the room with my head held high. Ready to appear to have my shit together. 

"Oh please stop it." I said hearing clapping and hooting at my appearance. "I'm still one of you guys." I said putting both of my hands up. "I want to get straight to business, I know that you all don't like to talk about this but budget cuts. We have to figure out someway to save money for the important things we need, like more doctors and surgeons." I announce. 

"Amen." Novi said from the back of the room. 

I shake my head and chuckle lowly. 

"So I know that there have been surgeons working overtime and being extremely exhausted. The health of all my staff comes first as well as the wellbeing of my patients. With that being said I have hired two new surgeons and rehired another one. One of them will fill as a general practitioner when needed. Hopefully, they will be here today if not tomorrow. Please welcome them back with open arms. Including Dr. Chestnut..."