“Oh, yes, Dr Stanton is on level three in the cardiology west wing. His PA will be there, along with the other interns.”
I smile. “Thank you.”
I stuff the email back into my bag and head to the elevators. My heart is somersaulting in my chest as I ride up to level three and make my way down to the cardiology wing. Eventually, down the track I would love to be a cardiologist, and that’s why I applied with Dr. Stanton.
Hearts fascinate me.
They’re the center of our very existence. Very few cardiologists take on interns, so it’s common for interns to move interstate to take up their positions. I just hope I get a nice crew to work with for the next twelve months. I continue walking up the hall until I get to a staff room where a few younger people are hanging around. This must be it. I tentatively walk in.
“Hello. Is this the cardiology wing? I’m looking for the interns,” I ask.
“Yes.” The tall man smiles warmly. He stands and immediately shakes my hand. “I’m Mathew.”
I smile as we shake hands. “Hello, I’m Ashley.”
“Nice to meet you, Ashley.” Mathew turns to the other four people with him. “I would introduce you, but I’ve already forgotten the names.” He smiles bashfully.
They all stand. Three men and one woman.
“I’m Steven,” one man smiles. He’s older, maybe early forties.
“I’m Zane.” The good looking guy smiles. He is young and European looking. He looks as if he would only be straight out of med school. Maybe twenty-four or twenty-five.
“I’m Maria,” the girl announces as she looks me up and down and makes an internal assessment.
Oh… okay.
I fake a smile and shake her hand. I already know I don’t like this bitch. How rude?
“I’m Richard.” The last man smiles. He’s of a similar age to me. Late twenties and kind looking. I instantly feel comfortable with him.
“Are there just the five of us?” I ask.
“No, apparently there are six of us,” Richard replies. “I’m straight out of med school myself.”
“Same,” I reply.
“Me ,too,” chimes in Zane.
“I’m a General Practioner.” Steven smiles. “I have my own practice.”
“Oh, wow.” I smile. “That’s exciting.”
He smiles warmly. “Does anyone want a coffee while we wait?”
I glance at my watch to see it is 6.45am. We don’t start for another fifteen minutes. “Okay, I will.”
He gets up and moves over to the coffee urn and starts to make our coffee. “How do you have it?”
“Milk, please.”
The others all rise to make their coffees along side of him.
“Another girl walks in and my mouth nearly hits the floor. Has she got the right bloody job? She looks like she belongs in the Escape Lounge with long, dark, straightened hair and a full face of makeup, complete with bright red lipstick. A tight black skirt and a white button up blouse hug her in all the right places. She’s got really good tits, too, and she’s wearing high patent stilettos and sheer black stockings.
“Hi, I’m Amber.” She smiles. Oh, she smells good.
“Hi, Amber.” I smile and feel the blood drain from my face as I shake her hand.
I look down at my sensible mom attire. I’m wearing black pants, flat leather shoes, and a light blue, button up blouse that hangs loose.
Shit… why didn’t I get something swankier?
I feel like her mom.
“You look so nice,” I murmur, embarrassed. “I feel underdressed,” I whisper.
“You look lovely. I just couldn’t let myself meet him looking frumpy.”
I frown. “Meet who?”
“Dr. Stanton.”
“What do you mean?”
“My God, haven’t you seen him?” she whispers.
“No why?”
“Holy shit. He’s ridiculous.”
“Huh?” I whisper.
“Here is your coffee.” Richard smiles as he hands it over.
“Thank you.” I reply as I take it from him. “Richard, this is Amber.”
“Hi, Amber.” I see a twinkle in his eyes and I drop my head to hide my smirk. I bet she has that affect on all the men.
Bloody hell, even I’m fan-girling here.
A robust, short woman comes in. “Hello, are you Dr. Stanton’s group?”
“Yes,” we all reply.
“I’m Marci. I’m his personal assistant and his practice manager.”
We introduce ourselves one by one with another round of handshakes. She hands us all clipboards with pens attached. “Unfortunately, I have paperwork for you all to fill out and the forms are quite extensive. They will take you about an hour, so please make yourselves comfortable.”
We all take a seat.
“Now, Dr. Stanton is the training doctor, and you will be going into surgery with him. He has a partner Dr. Jameson who he works alongside. Three of you will be staying with Dr. Stanton and three of you will be going with Dr. Jameson. The two doctors work together so they are still able to go on holidays and have days off because they cover for each other.”
We all nod. That makes sense. I’m going to try and do this when I finally get my own patients.
“I specifically wanted to be with Dr. Stanton.” Steven interrupts.
“Me, too,” Amber adds.
Hmm, I know why you want to be with him, little Miss Fancy Lipstick.
I bet she’s into doctor porn. Is that a thing? I should look it up tonight.
“Now, now. I know that Dr. Stanton’s reputation precedes him, but I can assure you that Dr. Jameson is also an amazing doctor. For all operations and procedures, you will be with Dr. Stanton, anyway.”
Steven nods. “Okay.”
We all nod. Understood.
“So, fill out your paperwork. Dr. Stanton is starting his rounds at 8am and you will be accompanying him.”
We all smile excitedly at each other. This is it. Finally, after all these years at med school, we are finally in our last year. This is so freaking exciting.
An hour and a brain explosion later, my paperwork is completed. Dr. Stanton now knows everything about me, from my medical history, to my address, to my work experience and even my GPA. I do feel guilty about the white lie I have told in the forms, though.
Question: Do you have any children?
I thought long and hard before I answered this question, mainly because I don’t want to be given any special allowances because I am a single mom. I would hate for anyone to have to pick up any slack because I have to leave early. This is why I’m paying the rent, I remind myself. So Jenna can study from home and take care of Owen without me having to worry about rushing home. I can work without restraints.
They don’t need to know if I am a mother, and to be honest, I’m kind of peeved that they asked. Isn’t that discriminatory?
Why should it matter if I’m a married or single mother?
Anyway, I lied and said that I don’t have kids. They will never know and I can work without the whole ‘you go first, I know your kid is waiting’ vibe.
“You guys ready?” Marci smiles.