Page 13 of NYE in The Cayman Islands

An idea springs to mind, and I grab Lex by the neck and whisper a few things into his ear, and we get ready to start the next set. Although I’m tired, the adrenaline is now pumping, and we are determined to show these little cocksuckers who the champions are.

The rallies between us are relentless, and we are at nine-all now. I’m just about to serve, and Lex looks at me, giving me the nod. As I’m bouncing the ball up and down, I ask the question.

“So, I guess you will be interning at Mercy Hospital this year? My guess is you’re in your final year.” Looking at them, I give an educated guess at their ages.

“Yeah, we’ll show those doctors a thing or two. I’ve been the top of my class every year. They should watch out, I’ll be taking their jobs,” Mac says, and both Gray and I burst out laughing.

“Come on, serve the ball, man,” Dylan calls out.

“Sure can, and I just wanted to mention to you both that my name is Dr. Tate McIntyre, chief of neurosurgery at Mercy Hospital.” And I serve the ball as the last words come out of my mouth.

Both of them nearly trip over their feet trying to get to the ball after they completely lose their concentration. Mac’s racket just barely nicks the ball but not enough, and it goes shooting out sideways.

“Would you look at that, Lex, I believe this is match point to us if we win it, and that would make us the champions of the day.” I’m still looking straight at the boys who are trying to get their heads around what I just said.

“Yeah, and that would make it really awkward when they have to look you in the eye in the hospital, knowing that you are not only their boss that is assessing them, but that you are the king of the pickleball court too. That would really suck, wouldn’t it.” Lex is trying not to laugh too hard, and I start bouncing the ball again, ready to serve it.

“Even more so when they work out that my friend over there and my wife are also doctors at Mercy Hospital.” I finally let go of the ball, and as it travels over the net, I sing out, “Bring it on, boys.”

Dylan and Mac are trying so hard not to lose this point, they end up running into each other and both miss the ball.

“Yeah, baby!” Lex screams out, and we both jump in the air, bouncing our chests together. The cheers from the peanut gallery are loud, and the looks on the young guys’ faces says it all.

“We should be the adults and be gracious in defeat,” I say to Lex as I place my arm around his shoulders, and we walk around the net to where the four boys are now standing, with Mason and Gray also walking out to meet us.

“Well, young men, thank you for the joy of whooping your asses today. Like I said to you earlier, your youth might be great,but experience will beat you every time.” Holding out my hand to shake theirs, I can tell the smile on my face is wide and full of cockiness.

“You mean you cheated to get the win because that was all you had left up your sleeve,” Mac grumbled as he went around the circle, shaking each of our hands.

“I’m not sure what you are talking about. I just worked the game the best way I could. See, life is like a game of chess. You need to cover all moves on the board, even the ones you don’t see coming.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I wait for them to ask the questions, now that they know who we are.

“So, have we earned a mark against our names already for when we start our rotations in the hospital?” Dylan asks because I think Mac’s pride is still too hurt for him to talk yet.

“Now this is a life lesson for all of you. You can fuck around all you like out here, tell the world what legends you think you are, try to rattle the guys who look older and stupider than you…”

“Hey, speak for yourself.” Mason gives me a shove on the arm.

“But the biggest piece of advice I will give in life as a doctor is that you check that ego at the door when you walk into our hospital. People’s lives are in your hands, and that should be the only thing you are thinking about from the time you take your first step in the door to the moment you leave, and if you go on to be the doctors you should be, then you will still be thinking about your patients every minute that your eyes are open.”

The three med students are nodding their heads up and down, and the engineering student is just thanking his lucky stars he doesn’t have to report to me.

“So, providing you turn up in our hospital with the right attitude, willing to learn and show respect to everyone around you, from doctors, nurses, and all the other staff, including thecleaners, then you start at square one with me.” I wave my hand around the court. “This is just a bit of fun and some old dogs teaching you young pups who’s top of the pyramid.”

“Now that we’ve had the dad lecture from this guy. Hi, I’m Dr. Grayson Garrett, and we will look forward to seeing you during the year. Mainly because it will give us great satisfaction to be reminded that we aren’t old yet, but besides that, we enjoy teaching new doctors. Can we interest you in a beer and you can meet our wives? Dr. Arabella Garrett McIntyre is my sister, his wife, and also another doctor you will be working with.” Gray puts his arms around the shoulders of Mac and Dylan as he leads them and their buddies toward the girls.

We all follow, and Mason had already ordered the beers which are waiting for us on the table.

As we make the introductions and the guys relax a little around us, we start to chat with them about their studies and life in Chicago, while Mason is chatting to the engineering student about things they can both relate to.

Even Lex has calmed down now, and if I didn’t know better, I would think he likes the boys, the way he is chatting with them.

As we wind up the conversation once the beers are empty, we start saying our goodbyes, and I have one last thing to say as they walk away.

“Gotta admit, you remind us of all the stupid things we did at your age. Happy New Year, boys.” They all laugh but just keep on walking as the girls start giggling too.

Bella standing up next to me and whispers in my ear, “You neglected to tell them you haven’t grown up yet and are still doing stupid things.”

“Harsh.” I tap her on the ass softly. “But true.” Leaning down, I kiss her soft lips.

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