Imani
Here we go.
It’s Wednesday and once again I’m back at the hospital sitting in this damn conference room with Karen and Nurse Bonita’s uptight ass.
I was early actually. Karen arrived next and now Bonita.
The smile I had on my face when I read Daymir’s good morning text earlier has faded.
It had carried over from our late-night phone call last night.
Like two teenagers absolutely infatuated with one another, we spent an hour on the phone before I tapped out.
He was on his second wind from working all day and I just needed to get some sleep before this shit.
“Are we waiting on him?” I ask.
“Um no,” Bonita answers.
“He’s not joining us today,” Karen adds.
Perfect. The good doctor isn’t here. Thank God. I don’t think I can control my anger today if he was. He infuriates me and all I want to do when he speaks his lies is slap the shit out of him.
“But we are waiting on Bryan,” she says, referring to the head of HR.
This is not going to be good.
Thankfully, I came prepared. I don’t have to sneak out to the bathroom today.
My phone was on record before walked into the hospital.
I had a feeling that this shit wasn’t going to be good.
Now, I just have to quickly prepare myself mentally for the worse.
So, after taking a deep ass breath, I close my eyes to level my anxiousness.
“Good morning,” a male voice says and I open my eyes. Bryan, the head of HR walks in along with big ass Micheal.
Security! Are they fucking kidding?
Livid and far from calm, I speak before any of them can.
In a deceptively cool voice, I say, “You brought in Micheal. I can see where this is going. Spare the BS about ultimate liability, blah, blah, blah. Everyone in this room knows that Dr. Rich Stetson is a bully and a liar. He bullied me and he bullies every scrub tech that goes into the OR with him. What happened with that patient is unfortunate but sadly she won’t be the last one as long as you keep him.
And clearly, with security at the door like that, you are keeping him and letting me go.
I just pray the good doctor doesn’t kill somebody the next time and we all know there will be a next time. ”
“Are we just suppo-” Nurse Bonita tries to cut in but I cut her ass off.
“And you, you know it better than anyone. How many scrub techs have complained to you?” I ask and Karen and Bonita’s eyes stretch like this is new fucking information.
“Yeah. That’s what I thought. Ya’ll are so worried about the patient suing that you’re firing me.
” I stand then pull my badge from my badge clip.
I’m so pissed and anxious that my hands are shaking but I’ll never give any of them the satisfaction of knowing my true feelings.
I need to remain calm so I can do what I really want to do.
So, I plaster a fake ass smile on my face.
“The patient shouldn’t be your only worry.
You need to worry about me. I know what Dr. Stetson does and I have proof,” I bluff.
All I have is this recording and the last one but hell, they might be worth something.
“Listen, I think we have a solution,” Bryan says calmly after my threat.
“Does it involve me keeping my job and him losing his?” I snap.
“Well…it’s not that simple…but I think you might like…well, appreciate what I have to say,” he says, practically stumbling over each word. He’s shook. They all are.
“What is it?”
“Have a seat and we can discuss,” he insists but I shoot him down.
“Nah. I’m going to stay standing.”
“We are parting ways with you but we have a severance package,” he rushes out.
I knew they were letting me go. Shit!
“If you sign this non-disclosure, stating that you will not talk about what occurred on the day of the surgery, we will pay you six months’ salary and provide medical coverage for six months too.”
Clearly, they want me to be quiet. They know the good doctor ain’t shit and they are trying to cover their tracks. So, I make a counter offer. Hell, why not.
“Make it a year salary and insurance and include my PTO days paid out. I have not called in once since I started.”
“I’m not sure we can d-” Karen starts but Bryan intercepts.
“We can do that but you cannot speak on this at all. If you do, we will cancel the severance immediately and sue to recover the money.”
Yes!
“How soon would I get the money?”
“We can have it on your last paycheck Friday,” he assures.
“So, the only way I can violate the agreement is if I speak on that surgery? Nothing else?” I clarify because I truly have one more thing to do before I leave.
“That’s the only violation.”
“I need to see the agreement.”
He opens the portfolio in his hand and pulls out a document.
I see more than one page, so I sit. I’m not a lawyer but my Hellcat Barbie sis, Draya, is.
She’s criminal but she’ll have a better understanding of this than me.
So, I take the paper, skim the first page and see the six months timeline in bold so I slide it back over to him.
“Change it to a year, then I’ll look over it and sign,” I say.
“We can make notes to add that,” he has the nerve to say.
“Yeah, that’s not going to work. I’ll wait here for the new document. Then, I’m going to have my lawyer quickly go over it.”
“You have counsel?” Bryan asks in an elevated tone.
I don’t bother answering his question. Instead, I say, “I’ll be here waiting for the updated papers. And if you don’t mind, can I wait alone. This is a lot to digest.”
“We can do that. Since we are all on the same page, I can handle everything going forward. Micheal, Bonita, and Karen, thanks for this morning,” Bryan says.
They all stand and one by one leave out. When I’m alone, I silently scream then immediately pull out my phone. I stop the recording then call Draya, praying she answers.
“What’s up, boo?” she answers to my surprise and delight.
“Hey girl. I’m glad I caught you before court or something.”
“You did. My calendar is clear until ten. You’re, okay?”
“No. I don’t know why I didn’t call you sooner but it’s my job.”
“The new one in Crescent Falls?” she asks with concern.
“Yes. Long story short. I got bullied by this doctor into saying an instrument count that was wrong. He left a sponge in a patient and she is suing. They are blaming me and firing me but they know this doctor ain’t shit.”
“They’re trying to avoid a massive settlement. Shit. Well, you know I don’t do medical malpractice or wrongful termination, but I can put some feelers out and see if I can find a good attorney for you.”
“I don’t want a long-drawn-out suit or anything.
I don’t have the time or the energy. They offered six months severance.
I countered for a year and they are creating the paperwork.
I need you to look over it and make sure it says what they tell me.
It’s a year’s salary, a year of medical, paid out PTO, and a stipulation.
I can’t talk about what happened that day in the operating room.
If I do, I have to pay it back. I need you to check that and make sure that’s really the only stipulation because I need to do something before I leave. ”
“What do you need to do, E?” she asks.
“Beat the doctor ass,” I admit. I can’t leave here without putting my hands on him. “
“E!”
“What, Draya? I’m getting fired because of his ass and he doesn’t seem to be getting reprimanded in anyway. I can’t leave here without fucking him up. I just need to know if I hit him will that revoke the severance.”
“It shouldn’t but it could lead to your ass in jail and then you will really need me.”
“They’re not going to press charges. They want this whole shit to go away.
They are scared of me talking more than anything,” I say with fake ass confidence because I really don’t know what they might do.
I just don’t think they want a scene with calling the police and me having to explain.
“They gave in so fast to my one-year counter; I think I’m good. ”
“My legal advice is don’t hit him. My Hellcat Barbie advice is fuck him up and call me if they lock you up.”
I look up and see Bryan walking in the hall towards me. “He’s coming back with the severance paperwork.”
“Okay take pictures and send. I’ll read over it. Don’t sign shit until I call you back.”
“I won’t and thanks, boo.”
“You know I got you.”
I end the call just as Bryan opens the glass door and walks in. He sits then places his padfolio on the table. He pulls out the agreement and passes it over to me.
“The changes have been made. You’ll sign, I’ll sign, and then you’ll be good to go,” he says with a smile.
“What about my locker?” I ask although there isn’t any shit in it. I cleaned it out the day they suspended me because I know how hospital politics works.
“I don’t see why you can’t clean that out today. I’ll make sure we get you a box or something.”
“Thanks. And I’m going to need the signed, completed one emailed to me and my attorney before I clean out my locker today. I’m sure you understand.”
“I do and we can do that as well.” He pulls a pen from a pocket in his padfolio and pushes it across the table to me.
“Give me a moment,” I say then nod. I spread the three pages out then pull out my phone.
I snap the pictures and send to Draya. When I’m done, he’s staring at me.
“It’s going to be a few minutes. She has to read the document,” I say.
Then, I try him to see how far they’ll go to rid the hospital of me.
I know there’s a limit; there’s always a limit.
“A cup of coffee and maybe a banana walnut muffin from the café would be nice while I wait,” I state.
“I’ll leave you to read and sign,” he says then stands. “Cream and sugar? My assistant is making a trip to the café.”
Got ‘em. I’m definitely fucking up the doctor before I walk out of here.
“Three creams and four yellow packets. Thanks.”