by Barbara Ebel
And although she was a student, teaching was minimal. The four years of medical school was called “medical education.” So where was the medical education except for what she was learning by reading and observing?
She pushed through the revolving doors at the hospital’s front entrance and stood on the pavement half disoriented. She had to think about it … had she driven in that morning in her own car or with an Uber driver? Since Bob wanted to scout out the dog shelter, she remembered her thought process. She had driven in her own red Nissan SUV because that would be less complicated. Knowing she could barely think straight, she was so upset, she shook her head back and forth.
At her car, she threw her things on the back floor, started the ignition, and held the steering wheel with an isotonic death grip. More than anything, she hated this rotation. She couldn’t wait for it to be finished. However, it had only started.
She put the car in drive and took off. What a bad day to go scout out dogs, she thought. Maybe she should cancel with Bob. She toyed with the idea but, earlier, he had done their shopping and gone without her to look at them. What would she think of the one that “stole” his heart? If the previous hours were any indication, she would probably not see eye to eye with Bob either.
After heading east, she arrived at his apartment complex, realizing that she should have texted him that she was on the way. But she still seethed over the day and, if she had a choice, she would go straight home, curl under her covers, and sob into her pillow. She walked past the empty pool not filled for the springtime. She glanced at the horizon. The days were getting longer and the sunset was not complete. She went to his first-floor unit and knocked.
“Hey,” Bob said, opening the door. He wore a smile, sweat pants, and a long-sleeve medical school sweat shirt. “I will owe the lady at the front desk my first born if we don’t get over to the shelter. She is staying over for us.”
Annabel frowned.
“Uh-oh, you don’t appear too chipper.”
“You’re putting it mildly.”
“You can tell me about it. Let’s take my car.” He stepped back inside and grabbed his keys and wallet and handed Annabel the leash and collar, and led the way to his Honda.
“You should be resting. Our timing is terrible.”
“Then there will never be the right time. Sometimes you must cross the Rubicon and do what you made excuses to put off.”
Annabel sighed. There was truth to that. She examined the items in her hand; not the standard fare for a dog collar or a leash. She liked them, but her enthusiasm was still dampened. As Bob commented about the weather and the shelter, she half listened. Finally, they drove in silence.
After repeating his drive down the long country-like lane, Bob pulled his Fit into the parking lot next to the only vehicle around, no doubt, belonging to the thoughtful employee waiting on them.
Annabel dangled the items as she followed him in. She still didn’t know any more about the dog he was interested in other than from his text message. “Do you mind if I look at all of them before we commit?”
“Sure thing. Start from scratch like I did.”
The female employee stepped out from behind the desk. “I wondered if you would show up again. Don’t take too long, okay?”
Bob nodded. “This is Annabel. We hope to make a decision, but don’t get mad at us if we happen to go home empty handed.”
“I’ll try. The bottom line around here is to find good homes for these dogs and cats. They are better off here than if they end up with owners who want them as a decoration and will not take care of them as they should.”
Annabel went through the door first. Bob stepped in behind her but stayed put at the front of the room. He followed her with his eyes, watching her demeanor and body language as she began down the right aisle. A bustle of activity ensued from the pens. Dogs barked, toenails pranced on the floor, and some tails wagged.
Almost to the end, she paused before a black and white terrier mix. “You look as troubled as I feel,” she said. The dog’s roommate came over and the first dog jumped up and they frolicked. “At least there’s a buddy with you that you can play with.” She moved on to the other side.
Annabel locked eyes with a dog several kennels down before she passed the one beside her. His long, bushy tail swooshed back and forth as he stared at her. Fully alert, he drew her to him. She gave in and walked past the others.
“Oh my. You are a beauty.” She tilted over to check the dog’s sex. “A handsome fella.” She frowned. “There’s not much for you to be happy about between those four walls, yet you’re smiling like I am passing you a steak. Where’d you inherit such a magnificent coat from?”
Annabel lowered her body, balancing herself on her toes. He came closer and sniffed her hand and his tail sped up. Their eyes continued to survey each other. “You’re not a slobbery kisser and yet you are clearly pleased with me.”
The dog sat. His tall, lanky frame had long hair and his chest was mostly white. The back of each leg was furry, enough to brush, and his colors were a remarkable mix of light reds, white, and tans. How could she turn him down and not adopt him?
She thought about Bob. She was so fixated on the dog before her, that she must take him … even if he was not the one Bob wanted. She stood and looked in Bob’s direction. He covered his face with his hand. When he took it down, he choked back emotion and nodded.
When Bob stepped over, the dog stayed in a sit, watching them intently as if not wanting to be rude and interrupt them.
“He’s so polite, isn’t he?” Annabel commented.
“Like The Dog Whisperer trained him himself.”
“No. He has been waiting for us.”
“We have the same taste in dogs.”
“His name is Oliver, you know.”
“It is now.”
“It says here he’s a retriever mix. Nine months old and neutered.”
Bob nodded. “Well?”
Annabel sighed and allowed a smile.
“Is that your first smile of the day?”
She lowered her head. “Unfortunately.”
“Come on.” Bob opened the door to see the woman waiting expectantly. “We’ll take him. The one I was looking at earlier.”
“I’ve got the adoption papers right here,” she said.
Bob and Annabel both signed and he took out the fee of fifty dollars.
“How sure are you that he’s a retriever mix?” Annabel asked.
“We’re guessing. What I suggest is that you send off his DNA for a breed analysis. The information is useful for training and taking care of him properly. For instance, does he like to retrieve, or swim, or herd, or be a couch potato?”
Annabel and Bob looked at each other.
“We can split his fee, his DNA analysis, and vet visit,” Annabel said.
“No problem.”
The three of them went into the back room and the woman opened the bars to their new dog’s kennel. The woman spotted their collar and took the old one off. Annabel placed the red leather with attached bells on his neck and cinched it in place. The dog looked from one to the other and then Bob hooked him to the leash.
“Your new name is Oliver,” Annabel said. “This is Bob and I am Annabel. Welcome to your new family.”
“Bye, Oliver,” the young lady said when they made it to the front entrance.
“Thank you for extending your day for us,” Bob said.
“For this result, I’m glad I did.”
-----
“Let’s see how he behaves on a leash,” Bob said outside. He walked along the edge of the grass and Oliver never pulled; the new odors beneath him smelled a thousand times better than the stale concrete he was sprung from. After he lifted his leg and peed several times, Bob opened his hatchback and waved his hand. “Jump up.”
Oliver jumped in and after they were underway, he stood in the very back with his front paws on the back seat and scanned the front of the car. Occasionally, he res
ted his head on the upholstery.
“I hope your night is uneventful with him,” Annabel said.
“On the contrary. Our first night will be memorable no matter what. I assume he’ll be with me since you’re the one heading out at the crack of dawn.”
“I’m worried sick about going back in tomorrow.”
He glanced over. She twisted her hands in her lap and looked out the window like she didn’t want to talk. Before leaving the less-traveled road, Oliver barked several times, perched towards the right back window. “It’s just a squirrel,” Annabel told him. “But at least now we know what you sound like.”
By the time they arrived back at Bob’s apartment, the outdoor lights had snapped on because of the fading light. He opened the back of the car. “I’d better teach him not to dart out when I put the hatchback up. For right now, I’m going to snap this leash on quickly.”
Oliver didn’t seem to mind and sat in agreement while Bob hooked him up and then tugged. The dog jumped down and pranced around on the pavement with exuberance.
“Come on in,” Bob said when he took out his apartment keys. “And you, too, Oliver. Welcome to one of your homes.” He dropped the leash and Oliver went straight in. The dog scoured the floor and Annabel filled one of the dog bowls on the counter with water and set it down. Oliver drank greedily. The two students watched as the dog examined his new surroundings. When he finished, he jumped up on Bob’s couch.
“Oh, no, Oliver,” Annabel said.
“No problem. Like I told you once, most of this furniture came from Craig’s List. After what he’s been lying on, he deserves it.”
Annabel sat down next to the dog. “Wow, you have special privileges already.” She nestled her hand into the fur around his neck. “I wish I could hang out with you tomorrow,” she said softly. “Human beings can be the worst species in the whole world. Mostly everyone I’m working with right now is deplorable or morally corrupt.”
Bob fell into an oversized leather chair and eased his legs onto the ottoman. He studied the two of them, knowing how troubled she was with the rotation. He grinned. For Oliver’s first night with them, he was proving to be useful and therapeutic for Annabel. The worried expression she’d worn during their trip had faded; her eyes softened when she talked to the dog, and twice she leaned over and kissed his forehead.
“Before you go, do you want to tell us about it?” Bob asked.
She stroked her shiny hair in the front of her collarbone and considered his question. Bob waited.
“The most awful events unfolded today,” she started with a choppy voice. “My attending practically kicked me off the ward, the chief resident is nothing short of malicious, and I’ve been accused of being the responsible party for overdosing a patient with morphine. And that’s just the start of it.”
“Get it all off your chest. Oliver and I can listen all night.”
-----
If Annabel needed to survive the next day on obstetrics, hanging out with Bob for too long was not a smart idea. She summarized the basics for him over the next half hour.
Bob was also tired but leaned forward in his chair several times, appalled at the details. He wished he was rotating with her at the same time. That way she would have company and he could back her up with her issues. Although, he thought, he also respected the fact that she could handle herself.
The dog’s head was nestled on her lap, so she slid it off. “Oliver, I need to take off. You be a good dog for Bob.”
Bob rolled the ottoman out of the way and rose from the chair. “Hold on a moment.” He reached over for his iPhone. “Mind if I take a picture of you and Oliver? The first day here?”
Annabel smiled. “Sure.”
He clicked, they switched positions, and Annabel took one of Oliver and Bob. Then she clicked a selfie with all three of them huddled together.
“I’m sorry you’re going through this,” he said. “Don’t get sidetracked, however, and not study enough.”
“So true. But if Dr. Harvey doesn’t give me a decent clinical evaluation, I’m toast.”
“Worrying won’t help.” He walked her to the door.
“Bye, Oliver.” She inched down and patted his head.
“I’ll bring him to the vet tomorrow for shots and whatever else he may need. I’ll text you.”
“Thanks, but don’t you overdo it. We’ll settle up the finances soon.” She grabbed the door handle and glanced down again. “I sure hope he is indeed housebroken!”
-----
At home, Annabel perched herself on a kitchen stool. She realized she deprived herself of dinner and opened a large yogurt. She had a strong desire to talk to her parents, but she also needed to touch base with Dustin. She checked her phone to find no messages from him.
Hey Dustin, she texted. I think you’re working a late shift, so I won’t disturb you. But hello anyway!
She took a few spoonfuls straight from the container and her phone dinged.
I’m at my desk at the moment. How was your day?
She laughed out loud. Not wanting to type out an obscenity, she decided on grawlix symbols.
*!#@%
That bad?! he responded.
Affirmative. But on the bright side, I got a dog tonight. My medical school friend, Bob, and I are going to ‘share’ him.
Hmm. You can tell me about that later. Solar has also learned a new trick. You won’t believe it.
Seeing is believing, you know.
Then what night are you coming over? After a nice dinner out, of course.
I’ll let you know. Obstetrics is crazy.
Okay, love, later…
She scrunched her eyebrows. Hmm, he never used that term before with her. She kind of liked it, she thought, as she went back to her home page. But her phone dinged again. This time from Bob.
The three pictures popped up. Her heart warmed; they were priceless, especially the last one with two smiling medical students and a goofy, grinning, happy dog between them.
CHAPTER 17
Annabel stirred a half hour earlier than normal. Most likely, she thought, because her vivid last dream was about a laboring patient wrenching in pain while health care professionals passed by her room without going in. She tossed off her covers, went to the kitchen, and selected a flavored K-cup. The Keurig machine was a new acquisition from the end of her internal medicine rotation, given to her by Bob. It made her think of him as she put on the single serving. She wondered how Bob’s night was with Oliver.
She puttered, getting ready with the mug of French Vanilla in tow. After dressing a bit more stylishly for the day, including sterling silver earrings under her long hair, she called for an Uber ride and went downstairs.
For 6 a.m., it was apparent it was going to be a beautiful day as she stood on the curb. She forced herself into an optimistic mood as much as she could as a black sedan double parked and the driver rolled down his window. “Annabel?”
She threw her backpack in first and scooted in. “How are you today?” she asked.
“Not too shabby for this time of day.”
“That makes two of us.”
He drove off and turned his music volume up, which suited her just fine. She pressed “home” in her phone contacts. Since her father, Danny, was a neurosurgeon with a busy practice and her mother, Sara, was a teacher, the early hour was no problem at all.
“Hey, honey,” Danny said. “Is everything all right?”
“I thought women have a sixth sense about things and not men.”
“I’ve lived a hard, eventful life. I learned a thing or two along the way. Like when my kids are going through a rough time.”
Annabel had to agree with him. The poor man had gone through terrible times because of a noose around his neck for years - a certain female health care worker. However, he was super smart and talented in his specialty. Always, in the back of her mind, he was her greatest inspiration.
The driver pulled onto the entrance to I-75 and the Cincinn
ati traffic picked up.
“You started OB/GYN,” he said. “It should be too early to form a concrete opinion, but how do you like or dislike it so far?”
Annabel made sure not to speak louder than the music. “Too many things are going wrong, including patient care. Like a patient being bolused and dying due to an overdose of magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia. And then, specifically for me, being blamed for a different patient’s medical narcotic error. The patient is on a ventilator overnight, Dad.”
Danny was upstairs in the main kitchen where his wife and best friend/brother-in-law, Casey, sat with steaming coffee and wearing pajamas. He met their eyes. “It’s Annabel,” he said.
He went back to the call. “I’m sorry about this. You must straighten this situation out right away. First of all, the current opioid crises makes healthcare professionals and laypeople sensitive about the whole issue and sometimes stories get blown up out of proportion. Secondly, if a patient was harmed in any way because of the error, that misunderstood mistake could jeopardize your grade, your reputation, and be a blemish on a clinical evaluation. Go to your attending right away.”
“Dad,” she almost sobbed, “he’s the highest-ranked person to accuse me based on what a nurse told him.”
Danny shook his head at Sara and Casey. “Ask to speak to him alone. Somewhere with no distractions. Attendings are multi-tasking all the time, so that will be difficult. Try your best. You would never do something like this. Also, in general, the medical field is not without human error. We are aware of this; there are procedures in place to avoid it. Take, for instance, the sequence of ‘time outs’ before a surgeon actually makes an incision on a patient.”
She inhaled deeply. “You’re right, but somehow on this rotation, there is less respect towards students. I felt like more of a team member on other rotations and not like some side show.”
“You let me know how it goes. Would you like to talk to your mother? She’s here with Casey. I’m leaving for a morning surgery schedule, your mom needs to get ready for work, and Casey’s paramedic shift is this afternoon. If he’s even going to put in a decent day’s work, that is.”
