CHAPTER FOUR - SCHEMING
1179 Words
By the end of her first week, Annabel discovered three facts about Dr. Enzo Callum.
He hated being late.
He wanted people to back up their choices with proof.
And he never forgot anything.
Each question he posed seemed to spark another, and any slip she made showed up the next day as a fresh problem.
Initially, she found it draining. Soon, she started to like it.
He treated her as someone who could get good on the job, not as someone who needed shielding from hardship.
That was a new experience.
Most folks either thought she was less capable or assumed she didn’t need any help. Enzo did neither.
He expected her to put in an effort, and when she succeeded, he praised her.
On Friday morning, he halted beside her at the nurses' station.
“Miss Robinson.”
She lifted her eyes from the notes.
“Doctor?”
“Your case summary from yesterday. You picked out the key points, but your conclusion came too fast. What did you overlook?”
Annabel tried to recall.
“The patient’s past medical history?”
“Partly. Anything else?”
She paused briefly.
“I zeroed in on the facts that fit my first impression instead of looking at what didn’t fit.”
He gave a slight nod.
“Better. Don’t cling to your first answer so tightly that you stop searching for a better one.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Make sure you do.”
He walked away.
Temi showed up right beside Annabel.
“Do you have any idea how many staff members spend years here and never get him to justify his objections to them?”
Annabel looked over her shoulder toward him.
"Is that a good thing?"
"It means he's taking you seriously."
She went back to her paperwork, yet those phrases lingered in her mind.
Taking you seriously.
It really ought not to have carried that much weight, but it did and filled her with warmth.
That afternoon, Annabel received a request to assist in gathering documents for a file evaluation. The archives room was cramped, packed with bookshelves and metal cabinets, carrying a faint scent of old paper and dust.
She was hunting for a past dossier when the entryway opened.
Dr. Callum walked right in.
“Have you found it?”
“Not yet. The catalog indicates it ought to be in this area.”
“Let me see.”
She indicated the correct shelf. He inspected the tags, then reached for a folder positioned above her eye level.
Their fingers almost brushed. Annabel immediately pulled back.
“I’m sorry.”
Enzo stared at her.
“You are doing that apologizing thing again.”
She was fully aware of it. “I am trying to fix it.”
He said nothing, just pulled out the document, then passed it to her.
“Stop by my office once you finish. I want to go over your file evaluation.”
She gave a nod. “All right.”
He walked away.
Anabel kept her eyes on the doorway a moment longer than needed, then turned back to the shelves.
Feeling nervous around him was absurd. He was her boss, a seasoned physician, and old enough to have been well established in his field while she was still in school. He also happened to be the first person in ages who made her feel her ideas counted.
She had to keep that distinction clear.
The case review turned out fine.
Enzo disputed her conclusion twice, and she defended it once before conceding he was correct the second time.
After they wrapped up, he reclined in his chair.
“You’re getting better.”
Annabel grinned before she could stop herself. “Thanks.”
“You don’t have to look so shocked.”
“I’m not shocked.”
He lifted an eyebrow.
She let out a sigh. “Okay. Maybe a bit.”
“Why?”
She thought about giving a safe reply, something about being new or still learning.
Instead, she said, “I’m used to people pointing out my mistakes while completely ignoring my successes.”
The statement lingered between them.
She hadn't meant to say that much.
Enzo's expression changed slightly. "People who teach well should do both."
She looked at him.
"Did someone teach you that?"
"No." He closed the file on his desk. "I learned it the hard way."
She thought for a moment that he might explain what he meant, but he didn't. Instead, she gathered her notes and stood up.
"Have a good evening, Doctor," she said as she reached the door.
"You too, Miss Robinson," he replied.
She turned back and reached for the door. Just as she was about to leave, she heard her name.
“Annabel.”
She stopped. He called her by her first name, which surprised her.
"Don't let a bad experience make you think everyone is out to get you," he said gently.
She was taken aback by his words and couldn't speak right away. He seemed to realize how personal his comment was, so he picked up another file and looked down at it.
"That's all," he said finally. "You're free to go."
Annabel walked out, feeling her heart beat a bit faster. She told herself it was just because she was tired, but she knew that wasn't the whole truth.
Across the city, Selene Robinson sat in a restaurant booth opposite Rose Callum. The two women had met at a gallery opening earlier in the week. Selene had complimented Rose's dress and asked her some smart questions about her work. Before long, they were making plans to meet up for lunch. Rose had been charmed by Selene's friendly and intelligent conversation.
That was before Selene started asking about Enzo.
“You must have known him very well,” Selene said, stirring her drink.
“We were married for years.”
“And you still speak?”
“Occasionally.”
Selene smiled.
“I imagine there are things about a man that only his wife knows.”
Rose's expression cooled slightly. “Perhaps.”
Selene raised both hands. “I’m not trying to pry. I'm just curious. You seem like someone who has seen a lot of life.”
Rose looked at her for a moment. Then she sighed.
“There was an issue early in Enzo's career. A complaint. It was investigated and resolved years ago.”
“What kind of complaint?”
“Professional. It wasn't what people initially assumed it was, and the matter was closed.” Rose studied her. “Why are you asking?”
Selene's smile remained in place.
“My daughter is starting a medical placement. I suppose I'm thinking about the people she'll meet.”
Rose relaxed a little. “Then I hope she meets good people.”
“So do I,” Selene replied.
But when Rose looked away, Selene's smile disappeared. She had just been handed something useful.
And she was beginning to wonder who else might find it useful.
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