Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
TULLY
“What do you mean you’re writing me up?” I ask Doctor Herbert.
When I walked into the clinic today, Maureen warned me he was in a mood as well as him wanting to see me in his office.
His face goes from stern to as ripe as a tomato.
Something is not adding up. As I’m about to stand up and walk out, I think to myself about what my parents would do in this situation.
I’ve grown up in my parents’ clinic, watched how they handled the good and the bad.
They’d tell me to ask questions, to see the report, and I’m going to do exactly that.
I already know it’s going to put another nail in my proverbial coffin with the old miser, but there’s no way I’m going to take this sitting down.
“Exactly what I said. Would you like me to go down the list of complaints?” He’s reaching.
He has to be. Besides the one rancher I’ve come in contact with who made lewd remarks about a woman being unable to do her job, there’s been no one else, and believe me, in this small town, people have no qualms about putting you in your place, or you hear them talk about you like a bunch of damn gossip mongers.
Thankfully, like I said, I’ve had one and only one.
“As a matter of fact, I would.” Damn it, I should have turned on the record option on my phone before coming in here. I can usually handle myself, remain as cool as a cucumber. Doctor Herbert is the exception to the rule. He pisses me off and gets under my skin like no other.
“I’ve had a few phone calls saying you’re using your relationship with the Johnsons as well as Birdie Robertson to get ahead as a vet in my office.
Then there’s Mr. Boyd. He said you couldn’t handle being at his ranch and had to make a call back to the clinic to have another vet come out to help.
” Okay, that’s a stretch on both accounts.
It’s clear Herbert here has it out for female doctors in the veterinarian field.
He probably does in a primary care physician setting, too.
He’s grasping at straws to make me quit.
This clinic has quite the little name for itself, and it’s all because of this bastard behind the desk.
“If you’re going to write me up for having a relationship with Dean Johnson and Birdie Robertson, I want it in writing.
As for Mr. Boyd, I’ll expect the same as well.
What I’m really disappointed in is how you’re treating someone who has taken everything you’ve thrown her way with a smile.
You have yet to look at my report for what happened at Mr. Boyd’s farm.
Your bias is showing, and I hope you have a rock-solid explanation. ” I stand up, ready to be done.
“You stop there with that attitude. It won’t get you anywhere, and acting like a brat will only make me ride your ass that much harder.
” Oh, this man is full of shit. He not once acknowledged anything good I’ve done.
Like the Joyce’s mare. The foal was breech, we had to do everything we could to turn her, and we did it.
All three of us. By the time I left, it was nearly daybreak, and by some miracle, my shift didn’t start till after lunch.
My body thanked me. Relentlessly tugging and pulling takes it out of you, yet I still hung around until momma was up and moving, her foal was nursing, and all seemed good.
I stayed with her well into the night, making sure she didn’t have post-partum metritis.
It can be toxic in its worst form, life-threatening even.
Especially if the horse is lame. Joyce’s mare wasn’t, though.
I made sure to take notice of anything out of the ordinary.
My eyes are eagle sharp when I’m working, the only zone I’m in is work mode.
It doesn’t matter the lack of sleep. I’m as sharp as a tack.
You have to be when it comes to animals of any size.
“Is that so? Well, I guess when the state veterinary licensing board hears about what I have to say, we’ll see about that.
” I don’t stick around for whatever else he has to stay.
All the red flags were there from the very beginning.
Alarm bells have been ringing non-stop. I was just the idiot who didn’t listen to her intuition.
I’m the statistic, like girls who think they can change a manwhore and his cheating ways, only mine was in the case of thinking I could tough it out with a chauvinistic pig.
“It goes without saying this will be documented. You’re also on probation for the time being,” he says loud enough for the whole clinic to hear.
Still, I walk out with my shoulders back and a serene smile on my face.
I’ll cry, scream, and hit something later.
Right now, it’s all about saving face. My steps are sure even though I already know I’m about to walk out on a job, which won’t be easy.
“Maureen, will you take me off the schedule?” I ask our front desk receptionist. She’s a fucking gem. There’s only so much a person can take, and I’m at my breaking point. My parents taught me if you’re not valued, you’re replaceable, and I’ll be damned to ever feel like this again.
“Sure thing. For the day?” She bites at her bottom lip in worry.
“Indefinitely. I’m sad to say my time here at Herbert’s has come to an end.” I tap my fingers on the countertop. My nerves are hitting me. It’s either make a taping noise or tossing my cookies. There’s no way I’m going to be stuck here any longer than necessary.
“This sucks, big time, Tully. You have my phone number. Please use it whenever.” Wow, maybe I wasn’t the only one being mistreated.
“I will, promise. Are you sure, though? This could get really messy.” Lucky for us, there are only one or two patients waiting to be seen.
The time for me to come in was after lunch, and the office closes for a full hour.
I guess it’s helping keep the embarrassment down to a minimum, except I’m no fool. The gossip will happen.
“You’re doing what I should have done years ago.” Well, damn, that hits me in the feels.
“Alright. I’m going to clean up my space, turn in my keys and badge in a few moments.
I’ll have my resignation letter, too. He didn’t fire me, but I’m not sticking around for more of his craziness.
” She nods, and I do as well. Meanwhile, I’m repeating a mantra in my head: I will not break down.
I will not let him break me down. I will not let him see me break down.
I repeat this over and over again the whole time I sit at my desk and type up my letter.
There are certain things you don’t ever want to do.
Quitting a job without notice is one of them.
I also document everything while I still have access to charts, especially the example he used about Mr. Boyd.
The date and time, who all was there, and what Doctor Herbert had to say today in our meeting.
I type every single thing out, print it, and sign my resignation letter.
As for my desk area, there isn’t too much.
A few pens, notepads, and a needlepoint frame with a quote: “Veterinarians don’t just treat animals, they treat the people who love them.
” A gift from my mom when I graduated, along with a slew of congratulations and a big party.
I put everything in my pockets that I can and head back toward Maureen.
Guilt at having her deliver the news hits me in the gut.
Maybe once the dust settles, I can help her find someone else to work for.
Anyone has to be better than Herbert and people like the Boyds.
I walk back toward the front reception area and place everything on the counter. “This is everything. Thank you, Maureen. Truly, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me during my time here.”
“You’re welcome, honey. Now give me a hug and get on out of here, but make sure you’re not a stranger.” She’s an older lady, closer to my mom’s age, yet Maureen has as much energy as a teenager.
“I won’t. See you soon.” Maybe my decision is a bit rash, maybe it’s not.
All I know is today may be a doozy, yet tomorrow will be better.
On the plus side, moving into Dean’s is being moved up on my agenda.
Then again, so is figuring out my next step.
Luckily, I have some money set aside and can take a day or two until I come up with a solution to my problem.