Attending At Twenty-Four

VI. The Chief

I knock on the door, two minutes before one p.m. I hear a sweet, "Come in." sound from the other side of the door. I let myself into the office and a blonde woman with blues, and a striking resemblance to Ruth, smiles at me.

"Hi, Chief." I say as I walk towards her desk after closing the door.

"Doctor Tamina Bedi, is it?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"None of that ma'am stuff, it makes me feel old." she dismissed, "Come sit."

I take a seat in front of her desk as she sips from her coffee mug. She opened her laptop and looked through something, then jotted something down before turning back to me. I felt the pressure somehow.

"Why so tense, Doctor Bedi?" the Chief giggled.

"Well, I'm just nervous around authorative figures."

"Ah, so is my sister-in-law. It's funny. But you need not worry around me. I'm the most relaxed boss you'll ever come across but I'll be a bitch if I need to be. And I don't need to be right now."

"Okay." I nod.

"Let's get started." she said as she linked her fingers over the desk, "I had about three doctors, attendings and the Chief Resident, come to me and sing your praises. They told me about your natural ability to perform stitching and I heard that you yesterday, you performed an intubation. For that I applaude you... Some of the attendings are worried that the training is too slow and simple for you, do you agree?"

"Slow and simple wouldn't be the terms I'd use to describe it. I'd say that I've attained the skills quicker than my co-interns, and that I am a very fast learner. Yesterday, I was faced with a trauma and an appendectomy, and I was taught along the way. I just picked it up easily, is all." I explain.

"Wow, you're a very wise young woman. You know that?"

"That's the first I've ever been called that."

"Well, you are. And very clever too. And respectful. I would say that you're gonna thrive here but you already are. How would you like to ramp up your training? Take on more complicated assists under Doctor Rogerstone-Montgumery's wing?"

"My worry about that is that I may not be able to experience other specialities."

"You underestimate, Doctor RogerMont." the Chief smirked.

"How so?"

"Not to toot her horn or anything but Docort Rogerstone-Montgumery was exceptional at everything she did during her residency. She's well versed in each speciality."

"Very well then. I'd very much like to take you up on your offer."

"That's what I like to here. Buckle up, you got a busy few months coming up." the Chief drummed on the desk, "Thanks for having a chat with me, Doctor Bedi."

"Thank you very much, Chief." I say as I got up.

"Oh, before you leave." she called out just before I got to the door, I turned around and she had a very curious expression on her face, "I've heard a few rumours that a relationship has sprung between yourself and Doctor Rogerstone-Montgumery. Is that true?"

Those idiots, "No, Chief. We used to be friends in like, elementary school and we're rekindling... But no romance goes between us." it killed me to say that because I wish there was romance but there's not.

"Very, well." she nodded, "I'll see you around."

"Yes, Chief. Have a good rest of your day." I nod as I leave.

I make my way back down to the sixth floor. I check the schedule for the appointments today and see that Ruth is doing a checkup on Sophia. I find her there and she grins when she sees me through the window. I sanitise my hands and go into the ICU.

"Hi, Sophia." I smile as I walk in.

"Hi! Doctor Ruth says I can go home today." she beamed.

"That's wonderful! But not surprising. You've been an amazing patient." I tell the girl.

"Really? Can I have a lolly?"

"I don't know that, sorry." I shrug.

"No lollies yet." Ruth said with a small giggle.

"Aw, man!" Sophia pouted. I help Ruth with the rest of the checks and we leave shortly after discharging her.

"How'd the meeting go?" Ruth asked as we make our way to the next patient. The girls involved with the shooting.

"It went good. She's gonna implement a new training programme for me." I reply.

"That's good. I know you'll thrive in it."

"Thanks." I smile at her.

"No problem." she smiled softly back at me as we made our way into the first room.

--------

After a very long shift, I was happy to go home but upset about leaving Ruth. It's only my third shift but I really enjoy working with her.

"I spoke to the Chief." Ruth started, "She wants me to run your training programme."

"She did say that that would happen."

"Yeah. I'm really excited about this." she beamed as we walked to her car.

"Me too." I agree.

"I hope you won't get sick of me. We're gonna be spending a lot of time together." she chuckled.

"Never," I shake my head, "I'm really looking forward to next Saturday."

"I know, right? Like, I just wanna be in a place where me and you can just talk and not have to worry about someone dying or being sick."

"That's kinda what we signed up for."

"I know," she sighed, "I just wanna spend time with you, is all."

And there goes my heart.

She dropped me off at my house and we said goodbye. I hug her over the console before getting out. It was bold on my part and my heart slammed against my chest.

"Thanks, Ruth." I smile as I'm about to close the car door.

"No problem, Tamina."

The use of my name sends slight shivers down my spine. I shut the door and head into my house. Once the front door is closed, I lean my back against it and let out a sigh.

"She's gonna kill me." I tell myself.