~*~
It was early and Jesse was gulping coffee as quick as she could while she drove to work. Traffic was light and she was excited. Not even the thought of Nick Armstrong could spoil this day.
Her mother thought she was crazy. Looking around at the graffiti sprayed on buildings and the tough, lonely look of the projects in the distance, Jesse knew most people would agree with her mother. This was not a neighborhood for girls like her. Which is exactly the point, she told herself, grinning to herself. Until people got directly involved real change would never happen.
Jesse’s heart raced a little as she pulled into the clinic parking lot. Dr. Nick Armstrong was right in one respect, she mused. This would hardly be a typical clinic. It was situated two blocks west of one of the roughest areas of town and was set up for strictly emergency care. As soon as it was feasible, patients were transported elsewhere. It treated, on an as-needed-basis, the lower socio-economic percent of Brighton’s population.
While Brighton City Hospital, because of its location in the center of the city, dealt with a huge majority of the uninsured cases in the city, there was still a need for more emergency care; a need Brian had made into his own personal crusade. He had lived in this neighborhood before his mother had managed to move them to a better neighborhood, so he was very familiar with the area.
The welcome smell of rubbing alcohol stung her nose as she entered the front of the building. She signed in through security, asking for directions to the staff conference room. It was a different security guard this time, a trim military looking man, who was cheerful and helpful. She found herself looking forward to the day. She glanced at the door of the conference room to make sure she was at the right place and stopped cold as voices drifted out.
“She’s a highly competent surgeon Nick. I’m not clear on what your concern is. She’s committed to two years and has agreed to a pay that is about half of what she could demand.”
Were they discussing her? Her eyes narrowed at Nick’s next comment.
“That’s because she’s a little rich girl playing doctor. We need people who are deeply committed to helping people. Not someone trying to ease their bleeding-heart politics. Her father’s Thomas Roberts, the ex-senator, he owns Roberts and Townsend Law. You know, the firm dubbed “Lawyers for the Rich.” The last comment was said in a scathing tone.
Jesse felt her face go red. Enough truth was in his remarks to hurt. She couldn’t deny her father was a fierce business man, definitely in it for the money. His clients were the well-heeled crowd and his lawyers rarely, if ever, did pro-bono work. But to judge her by her father was blatantly unfair.
“That’s harsh Nick,” Brian’s tone was mild. “And I don’t care if her father was the President of the United States. With her resume and work experience, she’s my choice for the job. I went to school with her and did my residency with her, and believe me, she’s the real deal. You wouldn’t want me judging you on anything but your qualifications; I owe her the same. Now deal with it.” The rustling of paper and silence told Jesse the subject was closed.
Jesse was torn between fury and icy control. She struggled for the control even though her blood was boiling. Nick Armstrong’s opinion of her was clear.
“It might help move the meeting along if you were actually in the room.” The whisper in her ear, delivered with a slight British accent, made her jump. She found herself looking into eyes twinkling in amusement. A small woman with spiked blond hair stood beside her.
“Tally ho,” She called into the room. “Staff is arriving.” Her grin and infectious energy helped ease Jesse’s embarrassment as they entered the room together. Jesse made a point of not looking in Nick’s direction. Instead she smiled at the small woman who introduced herself as Dr. Emma Murphy.
Brian smiled at her warmly from across the table.
“Welcome Jesse,” His handshake was firm. “The rest of the staff will arrive in the next five to ten minutes. We keep these things casual. It’ll just be the doctors today. You’ve met Dr. Armstrong, I understand?”
She nodded coolly in Nick’s direction, avoiding his eyes. “I had the pleasure of running into him already.” She said in a frigid tone.
He was sitting at the conference table reading a chart, and he didn’t look in the least self conscious or ashamed. Again, the sense of authority and power exuded off of him in waves. Frowning he made a note on the chart and barely glanced up. Jesse felt her cheeks grow hot at his rudeness but was saved any farther embarrassment by a booming voice interrupting the introductions.
“Brian by God, if we don’t get another CT scanner we’re going to be in real trouble. I can’t work under these conditions. It’s ridiculous...”
The big man with the bushy eyebrows paused in his tirade and looked around as if he was mildly confused as to where he was, “...oh, meeting...right, can we make it quick?” He glanced at his watch, nodded quickly to Nick, Emma, and looked at Jesse curiously, but whirled back around to Brian.
“Damn it Brian we need it.” He looked like he was warming up to go off on a rant when Brian cut in neatly.
“Easy Milo, the order went for it yesterday, it should be in by the end of the week.” Brian looked calm as he gestured to the conference table. “In the meantime join us in welcoming a new addition to the staff, Dr. Jesse Holbrook.”
Milo reached over and shook her hand settling himself into the chair next to Nick. Jesse noticed how diverse the staff was as they filtered in.
Dr. Lee was a small petite Asian woman, and Dr. Lopez was a tall rangy looking man with a face that was too pretty for her taste. She preferred them a little less perfect. They all took turns introducing themselves and settled in for the meeting.
Turning to face Jesse, Brian said, “Jesse, as I touched on in previous discussions, our hospital runs like an emergency room. Patients are assessed, treated, admitted if need be, and if their needs go beyond a few days, rerouted to other hospitals.”
His lips twisted in a tight smile. “They are already calling us Brighton City Junior because basically we’ll serve as a safety net for their overflow. But the reality is this: we will get a lot of wounds and hurt children.”
He looked grim as he continued. “Our opening is slated for two weeks from today, exactly. We have a lot of grunt work to do as well as processes and procedures to nail down.
We are currently working as a task force, and everyone has been assigned their “tasks.” Since you are coming in late, I would like you to partner up with a doctor a day through the week and then we’ll give you tasks as needed.” Brian continued without missing a beat, “I would like your feedback on how the surgery center is set up, so start with the surgeons: Emma today, Nick tomorrow; then hook up with Milo, Victor, and Hannah; they do excellent emergency care. Welcome aboard.”
He stood up to indicate the meeting was over, “Don’t bother to try and hide your relief,” he tossed over his shoulder to the others with good humor. “We’ll tackle the budget issues next staff meeting.”
“Whew,” Emma blew out a breath, her bangs dancing on her forehead. “Near miss that one. Get him going on budget and we get high-jacked for an hour, minimum.”
“Not much to discuss, I imagine.” Milo said. “He has a tight rein on things. What with the trust fund set up by Thorndike and the four fundraisers a year—things should be in good shape—as long as he keeps the clinic small and the services limited.” Milo shuffled the papers in front of him reviewing the information they held with a dark expression.
“Therein lays the dilemma. As the city grows, we by the natural order of things must also grow.” Dr. Lopez stood up and picked imaginary lint off his coat. “I imagine everyone’s geared for the Black and White fundraiser this Friday?” The question was clearly rhetorical as he exited with a wave before any answers came his way.
Emma snorted and said to Jesse under her breath, “He bloody well is. You couldn’t keep him away from any of the social functions in this city. He’s a wann
a-be.”
“Wants to be what? Jesse said, confused.
An impatient voice cut in, “Can we skip the gossip and get to work?”
Jesse turned to look at Nick.
Nick stood abruptly. He looked irritated and Jesse was beginning to wonder if he had any other expression. “We’re already behind the curve, so I suggest we get to work.”
He strode out without a backward glance, heading up the corridor with long, powerful strides.
“What’s gotten into him I wonder?” Emma said. “He’s usually not rude. We tend to be a tight bunch around here. Well, never mind, probably one of his girlfriends trying to pressure him up again. I’ll apologize for him.” She smiled cheerfully and led Jesse through the hall towards the area where patients were seen.
“One of his girlfriends—he has more than one?” Jesse stifled the flare of disappoint she felt. Typical man she thought. Memories of Wayne’s infidelity washed over her, but she quickly banished them.
“That’s Nick. He’s not one to tie himself down. But they’re all clear on the ground rules. Just light fun, no commitment. Every once in awhile one will really push him to commit and he gets cranky. Let’s face it, with a body like that who can blame a woman for wanting to tie him up and keep him to herself?”
Jesse’s jaw dropped in surprise. Emma started laughing. “Well, I may be married and twice his age, but I’m not blind. He is one attractive male.”
“Attractive maybe,” Jesse admitted. “But he has the personality of a, ah....” She searched for the right word. “He has the personality of a Nazi!” She blurted the word defiantly, coming to a complete stop as Nick emerged from one of the curtained areas. It was clear he heard at least the tail end of the conversation.
Emma glanced at Jesse’s horrified face and Nick’s expressionless one, sizing things up immediately.
“Well love, you can be a bit of a Nazi you know...we mean it in the nicest way possible.” Emma grinned and patted Nick’s cheek, defusing the tension in the air. “Okay, now we’re done gossiping. What’s up for us?”
Jesse felt Nick’s eyes on her, but she refused to meet his. She would not apologize! Gritting her teeth she clamped down on all the years of manners drummed into her and waited him out.
“We’re gearing up for the role-playing with the support staff this afternoon. Twenty people will be hitting the waiting room for us to triage and treat. As soon as we “release” them they’ll roll back in as a fake new patient.
Jesse realized even if Nick heard her Nazi comment he had quickly moved past it, his focus razor sharp as he catalogued the rest of the tasks.
“Should be fun!” Emma said, breezily. “We’ll be there.” She motioned Jesse to follow her as Nick abruptly turned and strode off.