Sophie pressed her lips together, willing herself not to respond. She hadn’t held herself back earlier with Dr. Gregory, and that would certainly put all her chances of becoming a nurse in jeopardy. She couldn’t make the same mistake twice.
Dr. Russell picked up his pen and dropped it back on the desk a few times, then spun it around with the tip of his finger. “However,” he finally continued, “your test scores are impressive, and Miss Cantrell assures me that you’re an ideal student, if somewhat unpredictable, impetuous, and inclined to rearrange my house in the dead of night.”
Sophie looked down at the floor, her face burning. Gracious—it was doing that so often of late, she wouldn’t be surprised if it simply burst into flame one of these days.
“I’ve heard what you have to say, and I’m not an uncompassionate man. I’ll go speak with Dr. Gregory and see what can be resolved. He doesn’t decide if you stay with the program—I do—but I appreciate his input. In the meantime, take the remainder of today off, and you’ll work alongside me tomorrow. I want to see just how incorrigible you are.” A smile played at the corners of his mouth.
“Thank you for listening to me, Dr. Russell. I appreciate it.” Sophie tried to manage a smile in return. He had looked so severe until that last moment, she’d been sure she would be sent to pack her bags. He was giving her a chance, and she was so grateful for that.
***
“Thank you for taking a moment to see me.” Dr. Russell lowered himself into the chair on the other side of Edward’s desk. “I know you’re very busy.”
“Today has actually been a bit quieter than usual.” And much quieter since Miss Jones left. Edward smiled at his own joke. “What can I do for you, Dr. Russell?”
“Miss Jones just left my office.”
“No doubt wailing about my unfairness, I suppose.” Edward held back a snort of contempt.
Dr. Russell raised an eyebrow. “No, actually, she merely laid out the history of what has transpired between the two of you and asked me to make a judgement as to what should be done. I found her account to be thoughtful and without any wailing whatsoever.”
Edward shook his head. “I find that difficult to believe.”
“I suggest you try, because it’s the truth.”
Edward immediately felt ashamed. “I’m sorry, Dr. Russell. I don’t mean to question you. I just meant that I can’t imagine Miss Jones not weaving a bit of hysteria into her story.”
“Again, I suggest you try.” Dr. Russell steepled his fingers, his elbows resting on the arms of his chair. “I get the distinct impression that you don’t care much for Miss Jones.”
Edward exhaled loudly. “She’s no worse than any of the rest, I suppose. I’m just rather tired of having to explain myself at every turn. I’m here to practice medicine, not to hold hands and catch nurses who faint at the sight of blood.”
“And do either of those apply to Miss Jones? Exactly when was it that she fainted, Doctor?”
“I don’t mean that she did those things herself. I’m referring to the nurses in general.”
Dr. Russell shook his head. “Could it be that your account might be laced with a bit of hysteria? As nearly as I can tell, Miss Jones’ greatest infractions have been comforting the patients against your orders and cutting your thread too short. This she tells me of her own admission. Is that true?”
“Yes, it’s true, in addition to questioning me and all the incessant jabbering.”
Dr. Russell leaned forward. “Perhaps somewhere along the line, you didn’t understand that this is a teaching hospital. That means that you will be asked to work with nurses-in-training. We would not send you anyone entirely incompetent—that’s dangerous for the patients, as well as being a waste of your time. But part of your employment here is to work with the nurses and help them become acquainted with what it means to serve in a hospital. This was made clear to you, yes?”
“Yes, of course. I’m just questioning, and not for the first time, if this is the right place for me.”
Dr. Russell looked curious at that statement, but didn’t ask any follow-up questions, and Edward was glad of that. He didn’t think he could verbalize all the thoughts that were churning through his brain at that moment.
“Let’s return to why I’m here, and that is Miss Jones. She told me you recommended that she leave the program.”
Maybe she had been honest with Dr. Russell. Interesting. “I did say that to her, yes. Her ability to follow instructions seems to be severely lacking.”
“In regards to your request that she not interact with the patients.”
“That’s correct.”
“May I ask, Dr. Gregory, why it is that you don’t want her to interact with them? My nurses have always been invaluable in helping the patients stay calm so I can do my work.”
“I find the jabber distracting.” Not every doctor had to work the same way, did they? Perhaps Dr. Russell could concentrate through all that yammering, but Edward could not.
“So it’s a personal preference, then.”
“That’s right, and if a nurse is working for me, I have the right to express those preferences.”
Dr. Russell nodded. “True, you do.” Then he leaned forward again. “Tell me about the headaches.”
Edward sighed. “She told you about her amateur diagnosis, did she?”
“She did. She’s quite concerned about you, even though you do agitate her, as she does you.”
“Very well, I will tell you about them, even though I believe she’s making much more out of the situation than is called for. I frequently wake up with a headache in the mornings that is present all day. It causes my neck to become stiff, and I’m sensitive to light and sound.”
“And this has been going on for some time?”
“Yes, for about a year.”
“Have you ever spoken to a doctor?”
Edward shifted in his chair. “No.”
“Why not?”
He chuckled. “Because I am a doctor. I can diagnose myself just as well as anyone else can.”
“You know that’s not true, Dr. Gregory.” Dr. Russell shook a finger. “Those in the medical profession should never try to self-diagnose. They’re rarely honest with themselves, and even more rarely are they objective. Come over to my office at ten o’clock tomorrow morning and let me examine you. I have been studying women’s health as of late, but I’ve kept up-to-date in general care as well, and I promise to do my best by you. It’s foolish to let this go any longer.”
Edward pressed his lips together. He resented the time he’d be spending away from his practice, but as it was, the headaches were slowing him down, and he’d never reach his goals unless they were resolved. “All right. I’ll come.”
“Excellent choice. In the meantime, perhaps you might think about the times when your headaches seem worse. We need to establish a pattern of cause and effect.”
“Thank you. I’ll do that.”
After Dr. Russell left, Edward thought about that question. When did his headaches seem worse? When he was around people. That was a definite cure right there—he should just avoid all people forever. Most days, that would suit his temperament just fine.
Chapter Six
Sophie tried to enjoy the remainder of her day, but she couldn’t. Without knowing what Dr. Russell and Dr. Gregory had discussed, without knowing what was to become of her, she couldn’t relax. She’d borrowed a novel from Miss Cantrell’s shelf—Mrs. Everett assured her it wouldn’t be stealing—and curled up in a chair in the parlor, but she couldn’t focus on the story. She opened a textbook and brushed up on the muscles of the shoulder, but that only held her interest for a short time. She couldn’t go for a walk until someone came home to accompany her—she’d had to prevail on the kindness of a medical student to see her back from Dr. Russell’s office. She was bored and fidgety and all out of sorts.
“Come on now,” Mrs. Everett said, walking into the parlor while pinning on her hat. “It’s
my evening off, and you’re with me.”
Sophie sat upright, a bit astonished. “I beg your pardon?”
“You’ve been slouching around here for two hours now, sighing and looking forlorn, and I simply can’t take it another minute. I might not be young and spritely anymore, and I’m sure you’d much rather be in the company of a group your own age, but I do have a fun evening planned, and I think you’d enjoy it better than this morose behavior you’re exhibiting.”
“Am I dressed all right?”
“You’re fine. Grab your things and come on, then.”
As Sophie put on her hat, she couldn’t help but chuckle. Had she become such a sorry case that spending the evening with the elderly housekeeper actually sounded like fun? Well, anything had to be more fun than rattling around the house by herself. The other girls wouldn’t be back for an hour, and then dinner would be bread and cold meats. She was up for the adventure.
She was utterly surprised to find herself walking with Mrs. Everett into a very nice tea room a few blocks up the street. They were shown to a table, where two other ladies were already seated. They both looked to be about Mrs. Everett’s age, and they greeted Sophie warmly.
“One of our students needed a place to be tonight,” Mrs. Everett said by way of explanation, and Sophie was relieved she didn’t go into any sort of detail.
They ordered a nice light dinner, and Sophie treated herself to a cherry tart afterwards. She hadn’t had one for ever so long. Then they walked over to the park, where an orchestra was setting up to play on the bandstand.
“I didn’t know they held concerts in the park,” Sophie said as she made herself comfortable.
“That’s because you’ve been so busy studying. That’s good—it’s right for a student to be so dedicated—but you must allow yourself some fun,” Mrs. Everett scolded. Sophie couldn’t help but smile. Her whole life, she’d been chastised for not taking things seriously enough and for having too much fun. She supposed it was all in one’s perspective, and it was true—she’d done very little but work and study since she arrived in New York. She hadn’t even found herself a gentleman caller, although that nice medical student from that afternoon showed some possibilities.
The music was soothing, and the company of the older ladies was delightful. They asked some questions about her work and were properly impressed. They, too, seemed concerned about her lack of social activities, and she took that as an omen—three ladies, who were obviously more experienced and wiser than she, thought she should be appreciating New York’s amenities a bit more, and so she resolved that she would.
By the time she and Mrs. Everett returned back to the house, she was ready to face whatever would be thrown at her the next day. “Thank you,” she said, touching the housekeeper’s arm. “This was exactly what I needed.”
“You’re quite welcome,” Mrs. Everett returned. “And maybe now you can stop moping around the house.”
“I certainly hope so. It wasn’t any fun for me either,” Sophie said, grinning as she headed up to bed.
***
Despite her relaxing evening and a good night’s sleep, Sophie came downstairs the next morning with a feeling of dread. She knew Dr. Russell was planning to speak with Dr. Gregory, but she had no idea if that had happened yet or what had taken place.
Mrs. Everett had prepared an especially nice breakfast, but Sophie couldn’t enjoy it. She’d always been this way—if she was upset, she couldn’t taste her food. She supposed it was a normal reaction, but it did ruin a good number of delicious desserts.
Dr. Russell sat at the head of the table, chewing. And sipping. And chewing. And doing everything else one is supposed to do at breakfast, but he wasn’t talking, and that’s what Sophie needed him to do. At long last, after he’d taken his last bite and swallowed his last sip, he wiped his mouth and said, “Sophie, you’re excused from morning classes today. I’ll need your assistance in my office.”
“Yes, sir.” That sounded hopeful—he wouldn’t be asking for her help if he was planning to remove her from the program, would he? Unless he was taking her to his office so he could lecture her for an hour about all her faults and failings, and then ask her to leave. Either way, she shouldn’t go on an empty stomach, so she ate a few more bites before going to fetch her things.
Dr. Russell’s legs were longer than hers, and she had to trot to keep up with him as they walked to his office. He seemed to notice and slowed down a few times, but then as his mind became preoccupied, he’d speed up again. Sophie was quite out of breath by the time they reached their destination.
Dr. Russell put his hat on the rack behind the door, then sat down at his desk. “I haven’t told you the entire reason why you’re here, Sophie. Please, have a seat.”
She hung up her hat as well and then did as she was asked, dread building up inside her. She’d known something was going on—there had been that little nagging worry in the back of her mind, and it was rarely wrong. “What is it, sir?”
“Our patient this morning is Dr. Gregory.”
Sophie blinked. “You’d like me to assist you in examining Dr. Gregory?”
“That’s right. I think it would be a valuable step in your training.”
Sophie twisted her fingers together in her lap. “Of course. I’ll do whatever I can to help. I just assumed, given that we . . . don’t get along well . . . that I wouldn’t be involved with him again.”
Dr. Russell looked at her curiously. “Is this going to present a difficulty?”
Sophie shook her head. “Oh, no. Everything’s fine. I’m just surprised.” To say the least. But she wasn’t going to let this interfere with her training. She had a task to do, and she would do it regardless of how she and the patient might loathe each other.
Loathe might be a strong word. How much they disliked each other. Couldn’t tolerate each other. Irked each other.
Maybe loathe was a good word.
“I spoke with Dr. Gregory right after you left my office lately. His headaches have become more frequent over the course of the last year. We’ll be examining his eyes, and also attempting to rule out any issues with his brain. Those are my two main concerns at this time.”
“His brain, sir?”
“Yes. Some persistent headaches are caused by tumors in the brain. If that appears to be the case, we must simply see how his health progresses. The brain is such a complicated organ, such a complex instrument that we dare not operate on it. Perhaps, in time, we might figure out how that is to be done, but for now, it remains a mystery.”
Sophie didn’t care for the man in the slightest, but she’d never wish a brain tumor on him. She desperately hoped it was something curable. It might be best to change the subject.
“And did you speak with him about me, sir?”
“I did. In fact, you were the topic of most of our discussion.”
That feeling of dread returned tenfold. “And what was your conclusion, sir?”
“My conclusion is that you should be given every opportunity to prove yourself in this program. His conclusion is immaterial, because this isn’t his decision to make.” Dr. Russell leaned forward and rearranged some papers on his desk. “Are you prepared to assist?”
“Yes, sir. What instruments or other items will you need?”
“We will position his chair near the window, so I might see into his eyes more clearly. I’ll need some additional light, so please bring that lamp closer to the window, and fetch that small leather case from the shelf.”
Sophie did everything she was asked. “If it does turn out to be his eyes, what is the treatment?”
“If I suspect he’s having vision problems, I’ll send him to see a friend of mine who specializes in optometry. I know enough to discover a potential issue, but I’m not the best man for the job when it comes to a final diagnosis or treatment. I do know that an optometrist would likely fit him for a pair of eyeglasses.”
“Would the cure be so simple, then?” Sophie asked,
her hand resting on the back of the chair.
“It could be. But again, we won’t know until we’ve examined the patient.”
“That’s right. I’m sorry—my curiosity gets the better of me sometimes.”
“And there’s nothing wrong with that.” Dr. Russell smiled. “We just need more information before we can make any definitive statements.”
A knock sounded on the door, and at Dr. Russell’s nod, Sophie moved to answer it. Dr. Gregory stood on the other side, and she swallowed. “Good morning,” she greeted him.
“Good morning. I’m rather surprised to find you here, Miss Jones.”
“And I’m rather surprised to be here, but here I am.” She stepped back and held the door while he entered. “May I take your hat?”
He handed it to her without a word.
She put it on the peg next to Dr. Russell’s, then stood in the back of the room while Dr. Russell began.
“Tell me about your eating, sleeping, and drinking habits, Dr. Gregory.”
“I sleep between six and seven hours a night, I eat a light breakfast and lunch, then tend to have a heavier meal at dinner, and I only drink on occasion. I’d say, perhaps one glass per month if I’m at a party or some other social event. I don’t keep alcohol in my home.”
Dr. Russell made a note on his paper. “Let’s begin by conducting an eye examination. Have you noticed any changes in your vision?”
“It sometimes becomes blurry when I’m tired, but that’s a rather typical physical response to exhaustion.”
“Quite so. Will you please be seated in this chair by the window?”
Sophie watched with fascination as Dr. Russell looked into each of Dr. Gregory’s eyes, then asked him to read a series of letters off a chart. He then asked Dr. Gregory to hold up various lenses that he took from the leather case and look through them to see if they made his vision any more accurate.
Cause of Conflict (Nurses of New York Book 2) Page 4
