Page 14 of Drake Eternal

I made my way inside, spoke with a nurse at reception, and was given an ID and lanyard that would admit me to the parts of the hospital I needed to be in. She gave me directions to the neurosurgery suite in the west wing of the new wing. It was first-rate, and I felt lucky to be there working with Michael — one of my best and oldest friends.

I took the elevator and walked the long hallway to the office and found that my ID card opened the door. Inside was a very posh office space, with a desk for an admin assistant and behind that a separate room where the doctor could meet with patients or do work. I settled in behind the desk and opened my laptop. On the side of the desk was a pile of patient files.

On top was a letter from Michael, handwritten to me in Michael’s very neat script.

Drake — so glad you could join me here. There’s a new staff room with an espresso maker and a vending machine with snacks. These are the files of the most critical patients we need to see over the next week. We can talk about hiring replacements once we get caught up on with most urgent cases. Will be in later. Hope you had a good flight and find your accommodations at the hotel satisfactory. I will be sleeping the first night since I won’t be jet lagged like you but will see you bright and early in the morning. If you need anything, please ask Miranda, who is my assistant. I brought her with me because I can’t work without her making all the arrangements and sending me reminders! She’s a great help. Cheers.

Michael.

I smiled and leaned back; the first file open on the desk in front of me.

I spent the next few hours catching up on all the files, then when I heard a cleaner with her floor polisher passing by and checked my watch, I saw that it was time for lunch. Or, as the case may be, a light snack in the break room down the hall. I’d already helped myself to a couple of espressos as Michael had suggested and was glad to see that the vending machine was stocked with more than just chips and snack bars. In fact, there were sandwiches and instant ramen — the staple for emergency room physicians when on call. I had stopped at an automated teller on the way to the hospital and took out some local currency, so was able to purchase my lunch. In no time, I was back at my new desk reading files and munching on my sandwich, a cup of instant ramen beside it.

I knew I was completely out of sync in terms of local time and Michael’s schedule, but I wanted to get up to speed as quickly as I could so that Michael and I could meet and discuss our next steps. I’d sleep the next night and would be ready to go for a first day of seeing patients after that.

I was able to go to the cafeteria around six in the morning and instead of dinner, I had a breakfast of oatmeal with fruit, and on the side, some delicious waffles dusted with powdered sugar and syrup. I drank a cup of strong caffeinated coffee in the hopes that it would keep me going all day. The hospital staff were beginning to filter in before their shifts and I felt right at home. Michael had left a white coat with my name tag on it so, armed with my ID card on a lanyard, my lab coat and ID, I felt like just another staff member.

I had my cell opened to check the news and just then, a young woman in scrubs popped her head into the office.

“Dr. Morgan?”

I nodded and stood, going to the door to greet her. “Yes. Call me Drake, please. And you are?”

“Miranda,” she said and smiled, extending her hand. She was a bright-faced middle aged woman in her fifties, with a round face, rosy cheeks and a big smile. “I’m Dr. Owiti’s assistant. Please, let me know if there’s anything you need, and I’ll make sure you get it. I just got a text from him and he’s on his way. Asked me to put a pot of fresh coffee on. Can I get you anything?”

I pointed to the desk where several used coffee cups sat next to the remnants of my latest snack from the vending machine. “All set for the morning.”

“Good,” she said and pointed down the hallway. “I’m two doors down, in case you need anything. Consider me your go-to girl, okay?”

“I will,” I said and smiled. “You sound Irish.”

She laughed. “Yes, from Dublin. I moved to London to work at the Children’s Hospital and that’s how I met Dr. Owiti. Been with him ever since.”

“Good,” I said and nodded. “Let me know when Dr. Owiti is in and can see me.”

“Will do,” she said and went down the hall to what I suspected was Michael’s office.

I went back inside, a slight sense of fatigue nagging me.

I’d have to get a cup of Michael’s fresh coffee if I was going to stay awake all day…

It was while I was in the staff room that I heard a familiar voice.

Sam.

I didn’t look up at the doorway, focusing instead on my cup of coffee.

Of course, she saw me and recognized me right away. I was sure Michael had told her that I was coming.

“Well, if it isn’t Dr. Drake Morgan. Drake, good to see you.”

I glanced up and put a smile on my face.

“Hello, Sam. Good to see you.”

She came over with a young doctor in tow. A young man with a fresh face, dark hair and who looked like he’d just gotten out of medical school.

“This is Dr. Paul Jackson, one of my residents in training. Dr. Jackson, this is Drake. One of the best neurosurgeons in the world who has pioneered some very tricky deep brain stimulation techniques and technology. We’re lucky to have him here to help until we get new staff.”

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