The Resident//#Wattys2018

001

It was a chilly Autumn day in Boston, the sky was painted with brown, dainty leaves that seemed to dance across the sky while the wind pushed them every which way. As I looked around I noticed many things, the distress of the children that were begging their parents to let them go back home, the honking of tired taxi drivers who were just trying to get home after their stressful night shift, and the swarm of people roaming this wonderful city trying their best not to get caught in the crowd while rushing to their jobs.

Even though I’ve been here many times due to my searching of my future Residency, I still could never get over the sight of the city and how crazy it was. I was so entranced by the view I didn't even notice my ride had come upon the entrance to my new life, the North Memorial Hospital, one of the top hospitals in America.

“Hey Lady, we’re here” my uber driver yelled, I jumped a little, I hadnt even noticed we had stopped, “Of course we are, I am so sorry sir” I exclaimed while reaching beside me to grab my bag, “I was just distracted”, “Well try not to be too distracted next time, I’m on the clock” he rudely suggested as I got out of his vehicle. As I stepped onto the sidewalk I adjusted my clothes to look more presentable, of course I would be changing into my scrubs once I got inside to start rounds, but still, it wasn't going to hurt anyone. I shut the door and went on my way inside the building hoping to not be late, that wouldn't be an ideal first impression.

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When I entered the locker room, it was filled with many different people, they were all in rush just as I was, I threw my stuff into the nearest open locker and started to change, The Fresh Resident meeting started in at least 7 minutes and I could not be late.

“Meeting! Now!“ a random person shouted and everyone stormed out of that room, you would think that they were giving away free tickets to a Rihanna concert down the hall. “Wait, I thought that didn't start for a couple of minutes” I think out loud, “nope, they moved it up, supposedly we’re getting this big case moved in today and we want to be ready when they arrive” a random girl answers, she seemed nice, at least she didn't treat me like an idiot.

Sigh. I swear, the world just doesn't like me today, “what did I do to deserve this” I wonder as I finish tying up my laces, “don't worry I’ll wait for you, and I’m pretty sure you didn't do anything wrong, it's our first day of course things are bound to go wrong” the random girl spoke again, it was if she was able to read my mind, or maybe I thought out loud again, I didn't feel like asking though, I had a tendency to do that when I was nervous or frustrated. In just a few short seconds I was finished, and me and this random girl began walking towards the Meeting area.

“My name’s Lillie Sorette, what’s yours?” she asked to make small talk I suppose, “London, London Wester, what is your Residency in?’ I ask as I put out my hand for her to shake, she takes my offer and shakes it. “I’m in for surgery, what about you?”, “I’m in for surgery, too, maybe we’ll be put in the same group” I say, she was a very friendly person which would make it easier on me, I didn't know anyone yet, since I just moved here, I needed a gal pal. “hopefully” Lillie states back agreeing with my last comment.

As we walked into the Meeting room it was filled from wall to wall with Residents, Fellows, Attendings, Nurses anyone you could possibly think of that would be in a hospital. Lillie and I try to find seats, luckily there were two empty ones up front close by the Attendings, they were a happy bunch, note my sarcasm. Yes, it was early in the morning, but their supposed to be used to this by now, right?

It seemed as if they had been waiting on us, because as soon as we sat down the chief started to speak. He was a very burly, older man, probably in his late 30’s early 40’s, “Good morning, young interns, Residents, Fellows, other Attendings, I am Dr. Mulihadid the chief of Surgery here at North Memorial Hospital, today starts a new day, a new era of doctors is being brought forth, the future, and yes it is very exciting, but remember you are not in Med School anymore, you are no longer students, you are doctors, and that goes for everyone in this room not just the interns. Now, we don't have a whole bunch of time, so I'm just going to simplify these rules and highlight the most important ones.” the Chief says, he then goes on to explain the rules of the hospital, I had already gone over the handbook, I didn't need to listen to them over again. I start looking all around the room again at all my fellow co-workers, they all looked determined and ready to work, which was great, so was I. I searched through the crowds and found myself facing the Attendings again, the chief was still talking and the gentleman beside him didn't look as intrigued and excited as the others, he seemed bored, come to think of it he’s probably heard this speech about a thousand times by now. As I kept staring his face started to look more and more familiar, where had I seen him before, could he have been a person I just randomly saw on the sidewalk? No it seemed to be more than that. How do I know him, I've seen him before I just can't put my finger on it.

“Now that brings me back to the final rule, but most important rule to remember” the chief said as I continued to examine this guy, I kept thinking, I went into the back of my brain trying to go through memories that I thought I forgot to try to find this guy, then it hit me. “Residents are not allowed to date Attendings”, “Theo?” I whispered as Dr. Mulihadid finished his speech.