Knots

Start Of Time.

09. "Start of Time."

"Lost - yesterday, somewhere between sunrise and sunset, two golden hours, each set with sixty diamond minutes. No reward is offered, for they are gone forever."
-Horace Mann

7:30 A.M

REGGIE SIMON

The knob seemed to turn slowly as Reggie stepped out into the hallway, trauma buzzing on around him in a constant jumble of phones and iPad alarms. So many problems plagued his head, and the fever dream he'd just had about the attending he was currently pissed off at did nothing to help those problems.

"Attention all residents, attention all residents, please report to the board room," the general announcer reported over the P.A.

Reggie, completely unsure as to the possible nature of the meeting, made an effort to fly past the incoming gurneys and get to the room as soon as he possibly could. Just across from the onslaught of surgical residents, Reggie could make out Rosie, Grace, and a droopy Andre; but there still didn't seem to be any sign of Ku.

"Good evening fellow residents," Chief Combs noted from in front of the familiar white board, "as you know the surgery that took place a few weeks ago has had an effect on some of the residents of WoodHayes Memorial hospital, and this meeting concerns that pressing issue."

Reggie looked around for a moment, mind flashing back to those faithful moments; the momentarily hurt expression that crossed Thomas' face when his hand had connected with it. He nodded at Grace, Rosie, and Andre; the last of which he was surprised to see considering his dinner arrangements.

The Chief must have some serious shit to spill, I guess I can kiss my job goodbye.

"Moving past that subject matter, we have had a total of one hundred and ninety two successful surgeries over the past nine weeks; and it would be heartless of me not to thank each and every one of you for your hard work and dedication. They say in this profession that it's impossible to save more than you hurt, but you doctors make those people eat their own words."

A slow applause broke out through the room, but the obvious tension seemed to have most on edge; the Chief included.

"Now, moving back to business I'd like to announce to you all first that our very own Felicity Tucker will be continuing her employment as an attending in the early hours of your morning shift; so please do your best to make her feel welcome back. The second order surrounding this case may come as a shocker to some of you, so I'm going to ask the residents who aren't assisting Doctor Avery this year-besides Phil Novak- to step out of the room."

Reggie and his three other friends, along with Thomas and the new guy, watched as the other residents flocked out of the room; rushing back to their wonderful surgeries no doubt. After the room had cleared, Thomas shutting the door behind the last few strays, Chief Combs made his way towards the group; now out of their chairs and practically huddled together.

"Now I didn't want this to be said in front of the others because the subject of this matter has asked me to keep this situation confidential outside of this group-"

"Then why is he here?" Andre asked, simultaneously cutting his father off and pointing at the blonde guy now clear across the room. It was a question Reggie had been wondering himself since Chief Combs had said the man's name; something about Phil rubbed him the wrong way.

"If you would let me speak Andre, then maybe you would find out," the Chief noted, before taking a few more steps towards them and setting his arms along the table.

"Now I'm not going to pretend like you four haven't noticed the absence of one of your own, so I need to lay it out to you; and I need you to understand that Ku fully consented to what I'm about to say."