I nod reverently. “That’s my favorite part.”
Lucas stares into the side of my head and I can feel the waves of disdain rolling off him.
“You kids are fresh out of residency, and while I’m sure you think you know what it means to be a family doctor, be assured that you still have a lot to learn. In a small town like this, generations pass before your very eyes. From this humble office, I’ve watched children grow up and start bringing in children of their own. I’ve been with old folks when they die. I guess what I’m trying to say is that you’ll become more than just a doctor to these people, you’ll become a part of their families. Do you two think you can handle that kind of responsibility?”
I’ve leaned so far forward during his speech that I nearly fall off my chair when I nod.
“Yes,” Lucas and I say in unison.
“Good. Then for the next few months, I’m going to challenge you. I want to see passion, even when I’m throwing my toughest patients at you. I want to see innovation, to see that you’re not just going through the motions like so many doctors do these days. Surprise me! I want you to be the best!”
The energy radiating off Lucas and me is palpable. We are the Titans and Dr. McCormick is Denzel. I want to bang my helmet against the locker room wall and yell HOORAH.
“I won’t let you down, sir,” Lucas says, standing.
I clamor to my feet and step toward the desk with my hand outstretched. “My entire life has led up to this moment.”
Dr. McCormick smiles at each of us and then we are excused for our afternoon appointments. There was tension before, but Dr. McCormick has just ratcheted it up to unprecedented levels. He has blown the starter pistol and we sprint out of his room, pushing each other down the long hallway.
“You’re going to embarrass yourself if you stay,” I taunt.
We’re feet away from our individual offices and I’m thinking I’m going to escape inside when he turns and cages me in against the wall. I don’t cower; I press right up against him, tilting my head back to stare into his ugly walnut eyes.
He reaches out and fingers the patch on my white coat. “When you’re packing your bags in a few weeks, I’ll let you keep this coat so you can always remember what might have been.”
I think he can feel my heart racing beneath the fabric. Infuriating. I don’t have a good enough comeback, so I go on the offensive.
“Did you hear him in there? He’s not looking for a golfing buddy, he’s looking for warmth.” I brush down the side of his face with the velvet back of my hand. “And what could be warmer than a woman’s touch?”
Aside from a twitch of his cheek, he is unmoved.
“Was that really your favorite part of the oath?”
“If it’s Dr. McCormick’s favorite, then it’s mine too,” I say with an innocent smile.
His eyes narrow. “I didn’t realize you were a puppet now. If I stick my hand in you, will you do my bidding as well?”
Mariah coughs politely and we’re suddenly aware of her presence at the end of the hall. “Sorry to interrupt sir, er…ma’am, Dr. Bell, but Mrs. Harris is ready to see you in room three.”
I smile and duck under Lucas’ arm like we’re done, but we’re far from it. I brush past Mariah, thank her for the chart, and walk away from the firefight before a stray shot clips me on the way out. As soon as I turn the corner, my confident smile drops.
It is time to initiate Phase III: force Lucas out.
At 6:00 PM, I straighten up my desk and begin to pack up. The few leftover donuts are quickly claimed, and Gina loads me up with the fruit display that may as well have cartoonish stink lines drifting up from it.
“Can you take this home? It’s attracting flies.”
I smile tightly and nod my head, moving to the front door with the fruit display in hand. I parked my bicycle outside of The Brew earlier and it’s still there, its cheerful, mint green paint taunting me.
“Good work today, Dr. Thatcher!” Gina says from behind me.
“Great first day!” Casey chimes in.
They’re patting him on the back as he leaves and if I turn around, I will barf.
I push through the front door of the office and he follows behind me. For a second I think he’s up to no good, but then I remember he lives across the street. How convenient.
I pick up my pace, hurrying to put distance between us. The two-way street is small and my bike is so close; I can taste freedom.
I bound off the sidewalk and tires squeal. I hear an ear-splitting HONK and Lucas Thatcher is there, grabbing my elbow and tugging me back before I collide with the front bumper of the delivery truck careening down the street.
“Watch it!” the driver yells out the window.
I shake my head and blink rapidly.
My heart is jumping out of my chest. My breaths are short, quick gasps. I vaguely register that I’m shaking with shock.
“Don’t make this too easy for me,” Lucas teases.
His arm is still squeezing me and for one long second, I close my eyes and stand there, letting him hold me. The second passes quickly though and then my shock is replaced with white-hot rage, directed at myself. How stupid can I be, not even looking both ways before crossing the street?
I yank myself out of his hold. “It’s probably not the first time someone has jumped into traffic after spending a day with you.”
It’s a nice recovery, but I still can’t believe he just saved me. How disturbing.