The Great Doctor Thomas Moore

Having Lunch with Harry

Actually I got convinced with his logic, to do this test the kid had to help us here, so no one would suspect the long stay of this kid here. After Harry finished writing his doctor orders, he looked at me as he said:

"Now, it's time for you to get your reward."

I didn't get his meaning, so he elaborated:

"You did a good job there, taking a good history is what differentiates between a good and a lousy doctor, and you are a good one, or at least you have the potential to do that.

So, as a little encouragement from me, your senior, I invite you for lunch at the hospital cafeteria. C'mon, we don't have time to waste here, as I have to go and check some X-rays at the radiology department."

Harry didn't wait for my response as he moved rapidly despite his weight, to exit from the ER department. I knew where the cafeteria was, as it was on the second floor, just above us.

I followed Harry, who was busy speaking to someone on his mobile, while we ascended to the next floor. The time was past 3 P.M., so the visiting hour in the hospital was approaching.

Here, patients' relatives and friends had fixed hours to visit, so before this hour, the hospital was famous for its calmness, which was the calm preceded by a storm that was so noisy.

When we reached the cafeteria, the emptiness I found through my way here was replaced by the crowd of doctors and nurses who were eating here.

This cafeteria was somewhat prohibited for people like me, poor people who couldn't afford to pay any coin here, but today I got lucky to be invited, or else I would have to find an excuse to miss this meal.

Harry was still immersed in his phone when some doctors called him. He just waved his hand as he continued his medical discussion which I couldn't understand a word from.

I just stood by his side in front of the main counter of this cafeteria where we should order our meals, but as we weren't the first in the line here, I waited beside Harry with no worry at all. I waited for him to finish his call just before our turn, when he looked at me and asked:

"What do you prefer to eat?"

I felt embarrassed, as this was the first time someone asked this question to me since ages, so I replied anxiously:

"Just as you order."

"Are you sure?"

Harry's tone made me more nervous as I replied at once:

"Yes, why? Don't you eat like normal people?"

"Well, I thought you are a vegetarian, so I wanted to make sure you aren't."

"A vegan? No, I'm not vegan, why do you think I'm vegan?"

Harry laughed as he patted on my shoulder while saying:

"You should have seen your face, c'mon don't be so tense, it's my treat anyway. I was just joking with you," He then looked towards the chef as he ordered, "Two bacon with steamed rice and a salad please. Ah, don't forget to add two sodas too."

This Harry was really something, I looked at him while he waited patiently for the order to be finished. In less than a minute, we left there heading towards a free table.

As we sat there, he started to eat at a pace that made me feel he didn't eat for weeks! My observation was noticed at once by him, who said without stopping his strange way in eating:

"Let me teach you an important lesson that might save your life, don't take your lunch time for granted. If you have a lunch break, then finish your meal as fast as you can, who knows what might happen anywhere which requires your presence. Losing your lunch break isn't anyone's fault except yours, so stop staring and start eating."

I was surprised by his words, that was somehow direct, so I complied and started eating. I didn't need help here as I used to eat fast, not because I was like him, fearing any sudden events, but I used to do so to avoid meeting with my mates in the dormitory.

In less than five minutes I finished my meal like he did, so we sat there in the cafeteria doing nothing except drinking the soda that remained from the meal.

"I want to advise you about your dealing with those arrogant like Patrick."

Out of the blue he started saying this while I was deep in thoughts about the kid and his poor mother. I looked at him while he added:

"These arrogant people have what it takes to be so, they aren't some dump headed youths like those out there filling the streets. They are very intelligent and resourceful, so don't try to irritate them a lot. Also, stay away from Emma, she is way above your league."

I was surprised by his words about Patrick, who I didn't care about and didn't intend to harass him all the time, but I was more surprised by his note regarding Emma, so I said:

"I don't think about her at all, she is just my senior."

Harry looked silently to me for a whole minute, then he sighed as he said:

"I know Emma is someone hard to ignore, but you can't fool me, I'm a pediatrician, my job is to deal with bluffing children and observe every tiny detail of them to make a judgment.

You, my poor junior, is interested in Emma, which is something any junior could notice. I did, and so Patrick did, and most importantly Emma did, so a piece of advice from your senior, stop chasing her.

I witnessed many good doctors get lost because of this illusion, she is a kind person which caused many misunderstandings. So, don't take her help and care wrongly, she isn't interested in you… in fact, she isn't interested in anyone."

I opened my mouth multiple times and closed it without saying anything. I really felt some deep emotions towards her, which is something I couldn't deny, but I know that she was a star while I stared at it at the ground. Harry noticed my hesitation as he added after a deep sigh:

"Anyway, you have some advantage if you want to chase her, as she wants her man to be a great doctor in pediatrics, so at least you have fulfilled one of her conditions."

I looked in surprise and confusion to him, was he trying to push me away or to push me forward to her? Harry laughed as he said:

"Never mind my last notice, just listen to my advice. I like you, kid, you have keen eyes and I believe you will be a good pediatrician someday. Anyway, we all are trying to be great doctors somehow, but don't aim for that to get the girl."

I nodded while my brain started to work differently, if I was aiming to be a great doctor, then I was doing so for money and fame, but what was wrong about adding the girl to it? If I had a shot, then I should aim for her too.

"Finish your soda, we need to go to the radiology department and then we will go back to check your little kid."

Harry said that while gulping the rest of his soda in one breath. I didn't stare this time as I followed his lead and finished mine in one go.

I once heard that a doctor was raised as a copy of his senior, and now I fully understand the depth of these words, I'm changing bit by bit to be like Harry, which wasn't a bad thing after all.