Coffee

Part Ninety-Seven: "Max's" Words

Standing in front of the entire Neurology department, I must think of a plan to help them out -for Max- so that everyone is happy and no one riots. Hearing all their complaints, I can only come up with one reasonable option.

"Medical scribes." I say and they all look at me as if I'm near insane. "I can get you each a medical scribe to follow you around to fill out your paper work, so you can focus on the patients."

"And Max is okay with this?" Vijay asks timidly.

"I spoke with Max- yes." It's not a direct answer and it isn't a lie. I did speak with Max- just not for very long and not about the Neurological problem.

"Thank you, Dr. Sharpe! I knew you would come through for us!" Vijay and the others happily praise me and for the first time all day, I feel wonderful about being a work. Walking away, I think maybe I should go check on Max and Luna. As I make my way to Ped's, I have my phone go off and it's Iggy.

"Hey! Sharpe, I pulled Trey in like you wanted."

"And?" I ask him- concerned that the poor fellow is not having a good time dealing with the fear of telling his parents.

"I'm using reverse psychology on him."

"What good is that going to do? Aren't you supposed to be getting to the root of his issue of telling his parents?"

"Yes, well that is what I'm doing. By having him make a video that is to be presented to his parents after he passes." Slapping myself in the forehead, I feel maybe I missed the mark with using Iggy.

"Ig, you realize that's counter-productive? "

"No! It's gonna work. He'll make it light and fun and then he will eventually realize that it's scary and upsetting doing this alone and he will change his mind about just sneaking off to Europe or South America to die alone." I hope Iggy knows what he's doing, because this could end very badly if he's not careful.

"I'm gonna trust you. I don't' know why, but I will." Continuing through the archway of the breezeway, I hang up, when someone calls my name out.

"Dr. Helen Sharpe."

"Sandra Full from Billing. Lovely day isn't it?" I ask and her irritated face and monotone voice just makes me perk up ever so slightly.

"Peachy. Listen, did you agree to give the Neurology department medical scribes?"

"That was Max." I state as I continue down the pathway.

"They said it was you."

"Yes, well doesn't that sound like something Max would do?"

"Hmm. Well this paper work that was put through wasn't signed."

"That also sounds like something Max would do." I state cheerily.

"Well, I can't put it through unless I have Max's signature." I turn and look at her and take the paperwork and pen from her. "What are you doing?"

"Turn around." I say and she furrows her brows and looks even more annoyed.

"Why?"

"Plausible Deniability." Sighing heavily, she turns around and I scribble Max's signature on the document. "That looks like Max's signature to me."

"That is something Max would do." Taking the paperwork, she walks off, stops and then comes back- taking her pen from my hand without a word. She looks at me briefly- unamused and mute- before turning back around and heading down the hallway. Smirking, I turn and continue my way to Ped's. Getting in the elevator, I hit the button and wait. When it arrives, I get in and hit three. As the elevator rises, my heart aches terribly. I wonder if this thing with Luna has to do with the accident. Neurological trauma is very serious for infants. Speech development, motor skills, emotionally detached and so much more can lead to a life of struggles. She could even have skeletal problems. The door opens and I step out and turn left. As I do the entire pulmonology department is coming around the corner after me. Do I have a chip implanted in me, giving people my gps coordinates?