Sincerely, Dr. Cruz

Four: Mysterious Portraits

Chapter Four: Mysterious Portraits
Rhode Island Hospital: Providence, Rhode Island

“I realize that this isn’t the time to butt in, but who’s Dr. Stark?” I asked innocently as possible. I realize that I had only been in the department for only 3 days, but I was pretty sure there wasn’t a doctor by the name of Dr. Stark in the radiology department.

“Of course you wouldn’t know.” Brad replied snootily.

I opened my mouth to reply to Brad, but Dr. Fordham cut in. “Of course she wouldn’t know Dr. Stanley. Anyhow, Dr. Cruz, as I informed you in the introductory meeting, you as a radiology resident would work closely with physicians in the orthopedic and general surgery specializations. You being the radiologist analyzing internal structures and the former being your guided co-op partner.”

Dr. Reddy summarized. “Basically, you’ll work with Dr. Stark. He is fairly new to being an independent physician, but he’s quite an intelligent young man.”

Oh great. The last person to call himself an “intelligent young man” was Brad, and I definitely didn’t need another one of those around.

“You’ll analyze a worn out hip socket with Dr. Stark tomorrow morning. Is that clear Dr. Cruz?” Dr. Reddy questioned.

Jeez, I know you don’t like me but you act as if Dr. Stark is your prized possession and I’m going to break him. “Yes sir.”

*****
“Lunch has never been this good in ages.” Katrina said as she devoured a big bite of her sandwich.

“That’s beside the point. I can’t believe you guys get the cute young male doctors and I’m stuck with an old lady surgeon.” Jaya pouted and moved an olive around in her salad with her fork.

We had literally spent the previous half of our lunch break discussing our co-op partners. Really it was just Jaya complaining about having to work with an older female surgeon by the name of Marge.

“Like seriously, whose name is Marge anymore?”

“Lots of people are named Marge.” I said as I rolled my eyes.

“It’s still not fair. Kat has Dr. Williams who’s a decent age and even good looking.”

“Williams? Good looking? I think we’ve worked too much around Brad. Jaya your standards are dropping drastically.” Kat said. “I think if you need to complain, complain to Reina.”

I cut in.

 “Jaya, these aren’t male doctors we get to mess around with. Its work.” I offered to try to please her.

“Right. We’re not going to toy around or anything. Well at least I’m not. Downsides of being married. I don’t know about Reina here.” Katrina said with her mouth full. Somehow she could make that look sexy too.

I choked on my pasta salad as Katrina and Jaya laughed their heads off.

“Hey, you never know.” Jaya said winking.

“Guys! I don’t even know what he looks like. He might end up looking like the… the… the Grinch for all I care.”

Jaya almost choked on her orange juice and Kat had to put down her sandwich.

“The Grinch!?!?” They shouted in unison before laughing.

“Seriously Rei? You couldn’t think of anything better?” Kat asked, still laughing,.

“Okay, he can’t be that bad but still.”

“Well even though he won’t look like the Grinch, if he did I would feel a lot better about working with Marge.” Jaya said.

“She’s right. Stark’s a total hottie. You’re basically screwed.” Kat replied, her mouth full yet again.

I would be the ultimate judge of that. Wait, not the screwed part.

“Haha very funny. Again, this is a strictly professional matter.”

“So we can trade?” Jaya asked with a gleam of opportunity in her eyes.

“I honestly don’t mind, but I don’t think I’m the one to worry about. It’s Dr. Reddy, who’s convinced that I need to work with Stark. I wouldn’t mind working with Marge. She’s a grandma which means free cookies and candy in her office.” I said.

“On second thought, Marge doesn’t sound that bad.” Jaya said.

I joined Kat and Jaya in the laughter this time.

______________

Rhode Island Hospital: Providence, Rhode Island

Shit. I was running late this morning, and I had to immediately report to Dr. Stark in the orthopedic surgery department. See, it all started off when my cute little Norfolk Terrier Tony decided he was going to pee all over my white tennies. Luckily I had a backup pair—they were too tight though. Then I realized that I was out of coffee at home which means that I needed to make a Starbucks run in the morning.

Reina. Does. Not. Function. Without. Coffee.

I parked my car in the parking lot and ran inside. Okay speed walked. Even though it’s a hospital it wouldn’t be convenient to get run over.

“Hey there Dr. Cruz.” The receptionist Cindy said and I strolled in breathless. “What can I do you for?”

“Can you please tell me where Dr. Stark is?” I said, throwing her a frantic smile, noting that wisps of my black hair was falling into my face and out of my bun.

Damn you curly hair.

“Oh, he’s in his office waiting for you.”

“Thanks Cindy.”

I speed walked down the long hallway, checking the door labels for Dr. Stark. When I reached his room however, no one was there.

I turned around to see two tall men and Katrina conversing outside the room. One was Dr. Williams, which explained why Katrina was here. The other was…

“Neal?”

AN: SOOOOOOOOOO I POSTED TWO CHAPTERS AT ONCE…. NOT MUCH SUSPENSE THERE I GUESS