Matters of the Heart: Mitch and Gabriella

Chapter Three:

Mitch’s POV:

“I am here to be interviewed for the doctor’s position in the hospital.” I comment, giving my best smile to the nurse sitting at the front desk. I can see her lifting her eyebrow, sweeping her eyes over me and analyzing my every move.

“And you’re a qualified doc yah?” She asks, writing down my name and checking off some information about me on a form. I nod at her and then look around. This hospital is about fifty times the size of Viola’s clinic back at home. I have never, ever seen so much clean space before. The hospital must be at least four stories high and the nursing staff are all in matching outfits. By the looks of the medical beds being trolleyed in from all directions, this hospital doesn’t lack money either.

“Right, have a sit there then.” The nurse says, barely offering me a second glance and pointing to the line of blue chairs scattered in rows across the entrance way. I follow her pointed finger and choose on closest to the desk, so that I can hear if she calls me. I really want this job.

My eyes follow the many humans’ buzzing in and out, in and out and all around in the space. Some are families with their sick young being carried in, others are being wheeled in on frantic medical beds and are covered in scratches and blood. Others look pleased as they walk with their tiny, new and clean bundles of joy and the elderly are holding hands as they receive good news. This is much like where I am from, where the balance between good and bad treads on a thin line and battle for dominance continuously. The minutes flow by and my people watching occupies my every thought.

“Mr. Mitchel?” A male voice booms from the desk. I look up from the hospital entrance and swing my head to face the desk. An older man, with silver hair and a white robe is calling out and watching the crowd of people seated.

“Mr. Mitchel for an interview.” The male calls out again, searching the many seated people. He must be calling for me.

“I am here.” I reply, standing and heading over to the reception space. The male doctor looks me up and down and nods, motioning for me to follow him. He is a whole head short than me, but man can this human move. I have to concentrate on my steps and eventually he comes to a blasting halt in front of a door with a large, golden plaque on it.

Dr. Remy Sanders.

I walk in, closing the door behind me.

“Take a seat Mr. Mitchel.” Remy says, pointing to the open seat by his desk. As I manage to become seated, another female doctor walks through and sits in the chair next to mine. She is also wearing a robe that matches the hospital attire and by the general aura od her being, she works here and is also interviewing me.

“Just Mitch, please. It is really lovely to meet you Doctor, as you.” I smile, trying to come across as friendly to both the people seated in front of me. They return the smile, but cut it off quickly.

“Ah, well Mitch, we don’t have all day. Ya file says ya practice in medicine. Can you maybe tell us about this?” The female responds to me before Remy does. I look at her name badge and see that she is Dr. Susan Tethers.

“Yes, well…” I begin, frowning at this question. I need to try make my story believable to the human people if I want a job here. I can feel their pointed looks burning into my body.

“I grew up with a passion for medicine and medical practice. I began an apprenticeship in my teenage years and have been working in clinics since.” I finish, hoping this is enough. I am afraid I cannot delve into too much detail, as they may follow different practices to me. I look up and study their faces, which seem content, but are focused on the notes they are scribbling down on the papers in front of them.

“Yes, well the position we need here is for a doctor who can run medical operations in the Pediatric Oncology Ward of the hospital.” Remy says, studying my face for a second. What? I frown at what he says. All this terminology is something else.

“I am sorry?” I say, but I guess it comes out as more of a question, as the female doctor quickly interjects.

“The children’s cancer ward.” She says, looking between me and Remy. I blink a few times and then smile.

“I have done specialized training in child care at the clinics I have worked at. I do not have much experience with cancer, but I am quiet sure I could become acquainted with it.” I reply sincerely. I have only read about cancer in human realm myth books on medicine. Who knew it is actually an existing illness? I can tell the air in the room shifting to awkward and silent wondering. These doctors are not so sure I am the right fit and I feel like I am severely messing up my job interview. I need to think fast.

“I have a full track record of diagnosis of patients, sutures, stitches, cesarean sections, inguinal hernia surgery, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, amputations on limbs, coronary artery bypass grafting, burn care, assisting in other surgery procedures and then general care such as injections, wound care and so on.” I ramble on, trying to remember the different procedures I have done to wolves, but only managing to get through some. I can see their eyes analyzing me as I speak.

“That sounds fantastic.” The female doctor says, looking between me and Remy. I can tell by her smile that I have finally convinced her that I am worthy of the job. Remy looks a little less convinced, but sighs and smiles at his colleague. Yes!

“Starting pay is basic for medical staff. We would need to have a three-month probation run and see that ya are all cut out as you say.” Remy finally sighs and stands up. I join him and smile.

“That is fine. Anything you say.” I reply back quickly. I can see his lips turning to chuckle at my enthusiasm.

“We will need ya to start as soon as possible, as the current doctor has already left. Of course, Susan here can help you out with hospital attire and show you around in the meantime. Perhaps you can come in tomorrow for an observation day to meet everyone who will be in your team?” Remy continues, slowly walking to his door and exiting through.

“I will have his contract drawn up for all of us to sign tomorrow.” Susan says, her eyes changing into a warmer expression.

Remy nods and begins to walk away, but stops mid step and turns.

“Also bring copies of ya University qualifications, previous references from the clinic ya say ya worked at and then we need to see ya practicing license too.” Remy says again. It would appear he forgot to mention all of this and has remembered suddenly, as he looks flustered. My eyes go wide at his list of demands.

“What?” I whisper out, hoping they wouldn’t hear me. I feel frozen on the spot.

“We can’t hire ya if you don’t give us copies of all that.” Susan adds, watching my frozen state. I have no idea what to say or even how to respond to what they are saying, as it all sounds like gibberish to me.

“Ya do have them don’t ya?” Susan asks again, this time looking between me and Remy, who is walking closer and watching me skeptically. I can see that my behavior is making him doubt our previous conversations and I can even smell the distrust in him.

“Where did ya say ya went to University again?” Remy asks, his pale eyes scanning me.

“Uni-University qualification?” I manage to breathe out. This only seems to frustrate Remy.

“Where did ya study to become a doctor? Ya need a university qualification to be a doctor.” Remy says again, this time in an almost condescending tone. I suppose he does think I am completely stupid considering my complete stupor of a body and my inability to understand his basic questions.

“I don’t, um, I haven’t ever received training for a qualification.” I whisper out, trying to avoid Remy and Susan’s glares. By the unfathomable silence surrounding me, I know I have royally screwed up. Goddess! Their explosive laughs pull me out of my haze and I see them rippling out in chuckles, as they hold onto each other. Susan even has tears gathering in her eyes at how much she is laughing.

“Ya kidding right?” Susan laughs out, pulling a hand to her chest.

“Man, ya good kid! I almost believed you.” Remy laughs out, finally catching his breath and wiping his face. His breathing has finally calmed and he manages to straighten himself and let go of Susan, who is still giggling uncontrollably.

“Seriously though kid. Have ya papers ready tomorrow.” Remy says again, looking at me seriously again.

“I don’t have papers.” I say again, this time more strongly. The pair look at each other and then back at me dumbfounded. Now it is their turn to be frozen.

“I haven’t lied about my training and abilities, but I never received formal qualifications. I never thought it was ever necessary and I have been doing a fine job at…” I begin again, but Susan completely stumps me mid sentence.

“Now listen here kid, ya get out this hospital right now and never come back!” Susan booms, her female voice coming out shrill and irritated. She cheeks have become flushed and I can see anger swimming in her eyes.

“Of all the jokes and scams, this is probably the worst. I seriously hope ya lying to us kid. Practicing medicine without a license will have ya locked up, ya hear me? I am going to pretend I didn’t hear a word ya said and ya never return here!” Remy whispers, his voice panicked as he looks around him.

“Bladdy disgrace ya are wasting our time! Get out!” Susan goes at me again, this time even louder and angrier than before. Even the patients and nurses passing by are looking at our heated exchange and wondering what has happened.

I quickly turn to leave, completely bewildered by what has just happened. I can still hear Susan screaming at me as I quickly edge through the reception space and around the many people, making sure not to knock anyone over. Only when I exit the doors, do I finally manage to dispel her voice from my mind. That may be so, but my whole body is riding on adrenaline and panic. What the hell just happened there?

“It would appear you aren’t a doctor in this realm.” Blade huffs, his wolf face slightly on edge and searching. I guess Susan really got us both a little worried there. I nod at his words. My mind knows this to be the truth, but my heart is having a really tough time at catching up. Being a doctor has always been my following and was what kept me alive at home. All my years of training, all my hours of pursuing this dream and my many moments of difficulty in grasping concepts has been in pursuit of committing my life to helping others. I think of the many patients I have seen across the years. The elderly with whom I cared for, the guards who I treated and even the children who I have operated on and saved. If I can no longer practice medicine here, then what is to become of me?

I find a quiet spot on a bench by the street and quickly take out the newspaper I have been holding tightly onto. I will need to go on more than one interview today.