Attending At Twenty-Four

V. Meeting

The first thing I notice when I walk around the hospital the following shift, was that there were interns sending me scowls, left and right. I have no clue what's happening but eventually, after my rounds, Doctor Francis appears in front of me.

"The Chief would like to speak to at one p.m today, Doctor Bedi." she informed me.

"Oh, uh, thank you, Doctor Francis." I nod.

"No worries." she tutted, "You're on RogerMont's service again."

"Thank you, again." I walk away and check my watch. It was eleven-eighteen. Yay.

I take the elevator up to the sixth floor. I meet Ruth at the desk and she is walking in the direction I just came from, "We've got a consult in the ER."

"I hope it's nothing serious."

"Well, if he's in the ER, I'd say it is." Ruth chuckled a little bit, "Also, how do you want the kids to refer to you?"

"Sorry?"

"Like, they call me Doctor Ruth. What do you want to be called?"

"Doctor Tammy works." I nod.

"Okay, thanks."

As we take the elevator down. I notice that Ruth has a coffee that she didn't have when we drove this morning, "Feeling tired today?"

"No, an intern brought it to me. Doctor Hepburn, I think it was."

It immediately clicked in brain, "They're probably sucking up to you."

"Why's that?"

"I think it's because you may have scored me a promotion." I laugh.

"Oh, well, I hope they know it's because you're really good and obviously the residency programme is too slow for you. You need something that goes at your pace. How are you supposed to learn, otherwise?" she shrugged, "You're a very talented doctor, Tamina, I know you'll do great things in whatever speciality you choose. I just know it."

"Thanks, Ruth." I smile.

The elevator doors open and Ruth shoots me a smirk, "Let's go save some lives," she held her hand below my waist for me to me to smack, "Autobots, roooolll out." and she left the elevator. I trailed behind, chuckling at her stellar impression of Optimus Prime.

We were directed to Bed 6, where a poorly looking kid sat. He was pale, sweating and shaking. Ruth sat down on the side of his bed while I stood at the end of the bed.

"Hi, I'm Doctor Ruth, this is my friend, Doctor Tammy." she said in a kind voice that made my heart throb, "We're gonna help you out today. Can you tell me your name and what's wrong?"

"My name is Dontrell," the boy started, "My head really hurts and I feel shaky and my tummy aches. Mama said it was the school's fault, but I don't know." the boy explained.

"Right okay. I'm going to have Tammy take your temperature and your heart rate, okay Dontrell?" Ruth said and I sprung into action. I took his temperature and it was a whopping 104°F and his heart rate was okay.

"Aw, you've got a bit of a temperature. Have you been sick at all?"

"Yeah, he threw up early hours of this morning and didn't want breakfast." his Mom answered.

"Have you eaten anything that don't usually have?" I step in and ask. Ruth got up and I'm assuming looked at his chart.

"There was this new dish at school yesterday. It had some sort of fish in it. That's when this all started." His Mom replied.

"Right, okay." Ruth said. She turned to me and said quietly, "I think it's just food poisoning but let's run some to make sure its not Edwardsiellosis, Streptococcus iniae, Erysipelothrix, Burkholderia pseudomallei or Klebsiella."

I nod and order the necessary tests and carry them out. While we wait for the results, I insert an IV drip to keep his fluids up. The last thing we need is him dehydrating.

"I'm sick of this school feeding the kids harmful shit." I heard the mother say on the phone, "The crap they're giving the kids is obviously not safe to serve, it's made my son sick. I've had to bring him into the hospital. Other kids are getting sick form the vile, cheap garbage you give them. Olivia Gardner was admitted to the hospital last week for salmonella. You guys need to sort yourselves out."

She hung up after that. I could tell she was stressed. It must be awful, having a school that fails to provide your kid with decent resources and food.

"Can I get you anything, ma'am?" I ask.

"Don't worry about me, please. Worry about my son."

"The results should be back soon, ma'am."

About ten minutes later, the results confirmed that it was indeed food poisoning and none of the diseases Ruth was worried about. She came back from seeing another patient quickly and delivered the good news.

"Easily treated with electrolytes and plenty of fluids" I smile.

"I'm glad it's not anything serious." the mother sighed.

"Of course. I'll administer some electrolytes and keep you for an hour and you'll be free to go. I'll recommend some good drinks for Dontrell to keep his fluid intake going and a good amount of electrolytes." Ruth said.

"Thank you so much." the mother smiled, "The both of you."

"It's no problem, ma'am." I beam before Ruth and I depart to give treatment instructions to the nurses.

"I can't get over how good you are." Ruth smiled when we were back in the elevator.

"I'm a natural." I grin as the elevator stopped on the second floor, and a fellow intern stepped on. Doctor Kim.

"Good afternoon, Doctor Rogerstone-Montgumery." he smiled.

"Hi." Ruth said.

That reminded me. I check my watch and it's twelve fifty-four. The Chief's office is on the top floor. I press the tenth floor button and Ruth shoots me a questioning look.

"Meeting with the Chief." I mouth. She smirks and nods.

"I'll miss you." she mouths back as Doctor Kim got off on the fourth floor. The doors close and we speak normally again.

"I'll miss you more." I giggle. I will miss her, actually.

"Doubt it." she scoffs. She got off on the sixth floor but before walking away, she turned around and waved as the doors close. I waved back of course. Then I continue my ascension to the Boss Floor, as everyone calls it.