Chapter 6 #2
That’s new. In the city, you handled everything alone. No one checked in. Which now, looking back, was a bad thing.
“Thanks. Who’s the head nurse?”
A light voice answers before the receptionist can. “That would be me.”
I turn. She’s in her thirties, blonde, navy scrubs, pink sneakers, bright smile.
“I’m Jess, the head nurse on this floor,” she says, offering her hand. “If you’re ready, I’ll take you around to meet the patients.”
I smile and shake her hand.
She gives me a rundown on my first patient, Mr. Grant, who’s recovering from pneumonia. He’s filling in a crossword as I enter. He lowers his pen and settles back into the bed. “You’re new.”
I nod. “Dr. Pierce. Just moved here.”
I start by going over his chart, but the conversation quickly turns to stories about his wife, grandkids, and then his love of golf.
The passion bubbles through my veins as I work out the best plan to help him.
In this town, people expect you to know them, not just treat them.
I shake Mr. Grant’s hand before I leave with Jess, and this interaction reminds me exactly why I love being a doctor.
She shows me another patient. It’s a rhythm I know, but something about it is different. More efficient. More personal. The town feel is stronger than I expected, and oddly enough, I like it.
I like it a lot.
After a few more patients, she pauses. “Dr. Pierce, I have to say something.”
I tilt my head. “Go on.”
She hesitates before looking up with a wince. “The article made you out to be some kind of devil.”
I exhale sharply through my nose, but there’s a sting behind it. “I was torn to shreds, wasn’t I?”
“Yeah.” She pauses. “But… was it true?”
“No,” I say simply. Appreciating her directness, even though it brings back my anxiety.
She nods, smiling. “Figured. Come on, let’s finish up. It’s only your first day. We can’t scare you off yet.”
Even with the hushed voices, the lingering looks, and my reputation trailing behind me, I feel comfortable here. Like maybe I can breathe.
I step into the next patient’s room and pause. The man in the bed is in his late fifties, lying on his side, arms wrapped tightly around his stomach. Coming closer, I notice his skin is a faint gray color, and when he tries to move to his back, he winces.
“It’s okay, don’t move.”
“I’ve never been in this much pain, Doc,” he whispers. “It started this morning… but now it’s worse.”
I scan his chart, fingers tightening around the board. Low-grade fever and elevated heart rate.
“Has he had imaging?”
“No,” Jess replies.
“Then I want a CT scan.”
“That’s… kind of broken at the moment.”
I freeze. “What?”
She shrugs. “We’re trying to raise money for repairs, but it’s a lot.”
That’s not good enough. I can’t believe I assumed they’d have all the same equipment as the city. I’m angry at myself for misjudging that so badly. “We need it. It’s essential.”
“I know,” she says simply. “But it’s out of our hands. We send patients to Prescott Valley for scans.”
We exit the room, and I immediately get on the phone to order an urgent CT scan at the hospital in the next town.
While that’s being arranged, I put in orders for IV fluids, lab work, and pain management.
I also make him nothing by mouth in case surgery becomes necessary and ensure he’s being monitored closely.
If my suspicions about an abdominal bleed are confirmed, he’ll need a surgical consult.
After talking to Jess and taking notes, I head back to Anita’s office.
“How did it go?” she asks the moment I appear, her hands clasped tightly on her desk in front of her.
I take a seat, thinking about it before replying. “It was really great. Thanks.”
She smiles. “We pride ourselves on being welcoming. Of course, not everyone will be a fan.”
I already know that. I felt their glares and heard their words. But whatever. I’ll prove myself.
I shift in my seat, crossing one ankle over the other, knowing I have to bring up an issue on my first day. I don’t know how Anita will take it, but I can’t leave without mentioning it. “I wanted to ask about the CT scanner.”
She sighs. “We’re doing our best to raise funds, but it’s expensive.”
“We need two, ideally,” I say, already planning how I can help.
She chuckles. “That would be nice, but getting even one is a stretch.”
I inherited money from Dad. Maybe it’s time to actually use some of it. “Let me handle it.”
She shakes her head immediately. “Doctors of the hospital aren’t allowed to fund hospital equipment.”
Damn. She saw that coming.
The rejection hurts, but pushing the issue won’t help anyone.
Her smile softens. “Listen, I’ll give you the numbers for the repair and a replacement. Think about it. We’re open to ideas.”
I nod, already trying to figure out another way I can help. “I’ll work on it.”
“Have a good afternoon, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks. See you tomorrow.”
My first real shift. Today was just a warm-up, and I’m already exhausted, but it’s the good kind of tired. I’d forgotten what it felt like to be drained for the right reasons.
I leave her office and walk back to the break room to collect my case. Checking my phone to see an email. I open it and immediately regret it.
The Pulse Bulletin.
The headline grabs my attention first: New Doctor Joins the Fun at Welcome Party.
Great. I officially can’t escape gossip.
I scroll through the photos.
There’s one of people stomping grapes with their bare feet. Disgusting. I’m definitely not drinking that wine.
Another photo captures the dinner table, glowing under soft lights, everyone gathered and chatting. I don’t even remember when that was taken, but there I am, mid-conversation with Diane, who was actually quite welcoming.
Then, more pictures, including one of me giving the speech and also dancing. Surprisingly, I don’t look terrible. The article itself isn’t bad either. It’s welcoming, almost kind.
But then, the twist.
Can he go against orders here as well?
A little jab. A subtle dig. And there, at the bottom, the name.
Amelia.
I stare at it, confused. I was expecting the sign-off to be Dr. Whisperer. So does that mean she’s both?
The rest of the bulletin is filled with a mix of news and gossip, some pieces signed, others anonymous.
It feels like the town’s version of social media, where people spill everything.
At least Russell, the turkey, seems to have moved on and found someone else to target. That article makes me chuckle.