Page 5 of Secret Seduction
I look at the time, wincing when I see it’s already going on six o’clock. I’m doubting very seriously any of them will want to meet up, especially the guys who have women at home.
Jude: I’m down. Name the place and time.
Crew: Next time. I’ve got to get these drawings done.
Matthew: I’m out, too. The case I’m working on is kicking my ass.
Johnny: I’ve got the club tonight.
Asher: Lennie has dinner on the table as we speak.
Tysen: I’m in the sky brother, sorry.
Me: All good. It’s last minute. Jude, Smoked Oak in about an hour?
Jude: See you then.
Trent: I’m at the station. Might dip out, though, and meet you for a few.
Me: Sounds good.
I place my phone on the desk, pull up the patients Iworked on today, go through the process of dictating each one thoroughly with as much attention to detail as possible. This is the part of the job nobody warns you about. It’s not just helping patients or delivering babies; it’s this side. And while Gallo has a better system than I do, one I should adopt, I’ve yet to find it in me to be as quick with my colleagues and patients. He’s not an asshole, but he’s in and out in a flash, while I have a harder time breaking free.
I’m about to finish up my charting when Gallo sends me a text.
Gallo: Sent you the file. Thanks again.
I’d been so wrapped up in getting my work done that I already forgot about doing his rounds.
Me: Loading it now, then I’ll head to the hospital. I’ll keep you posted if something’s wrong.
I got about five patient notes done, which will be good enough for tonight. Since I’m making rounds in the morning, I should have time to wrap the last of my files up before starting the day.
Gallo: Sounds good.
Gallo isn’t much better than I am. Turning off and disconnecting from the practice is damn hard. Shit follows you, especially when you’re on call as much as we are. Istand up, walk to where my coat is located, grab it, slide one arm through the sleeve and then the other before heading back to my desk to pick up my laptop and phone. I go about closing down my office, knowing I’ll more than likely head out after checking on Gallo’s patient.
A few minutes later, I’m walking through the hall and swiping my badge to open the door to the hospital. I nod here and there to a few of the nurses as I move toward the OB/GYN ward. The name of the game is getting in and out of here; the fewer people who notice me, the better. A relatively hard thing to do when you grew up in Whispering Oaks and work in Oak View, the bigger city, where everyone knows fucking everyone.
“Hi, Doctor Camden,” a nurse greets when I make it through the entrance to the wing. Luckily, keeping your head down, pretending you’re on the phone, and walking with a swift pace keeps the wolves at bay, so to speak.
“Hey, Ivy, anything I need to know about?” I set the laptop on the counter near where her station is, quickly pulling up the chart Gallo sent me. “Shaelynn Parker.”
“Her pain level is a three, preferred to go down to over-the-counter medicine, complaining a little bit about nausea, but is finally sleeping after her family left. She’s in Room Three-Zero-Five.” I listen to what she’s saying while reviewing her chart, noting that when Doctor Gallo performed the laparoscopic myomectomy, not only did he find more fibroids than he initially thought, but there was also a cyst on her ovary. He removed it and sent it off for testing. Fuck, this patient is in her mid-thirties, no children, andthis could potentially cause more trouble down the road depending on what the biopsy shows.
“Bleeding or swelling I should be concerned about?” I ask.
“All normal on those fronts,” Ivy states.
“Alright, I’m going to take a look in her room. Can you join me?”
“Yes, let me grab the phone in case any patients call. I’m not going to say what I want to, jinxing myself and all that.” Everyone knows the instant you say it’s a slow night, all hell seems to break lose.
“I won’t say a word, either.” I close the laptop, leaving it on the counter, and walk with her.
“You better not, or you won’t be my favorite anymore,” Ivy teases. She loves everyone equally. She’s also the same age as my mother, has no problem bossing me around, and I have no problem letting her.
“Everyone’s your favorite person,” I tease her.
