The Important Parts, Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Reid’s third day of work at Oakdale Memorial was less satisfying than his first two.
After his fourth appointment, he was walking around the corner to his office when a man in a white lab coat ran right into him. The guy had a square face, eyebrows slung low over his green eyes, and an expression that made him look perpetually pouty. Reid took an immediate dislike to him.
“Reid! I was just looking for you.”
“Goody. My heart’s all-a-flutter.”
“I’m Chris Hughes.” He seemed to say that as if he expected Reid to know the name.
“And?”
“I’m chief of staff here.”
“Oh, you’re the guy whose job I would have had if I not gone on some foolish mission to get you a heart.”
Not really liking to be reminded that he would have come in second place, Chris frowned and said, “Yes, that’s me. But seriously, Reid, I know you don’t remember, but however it came about, your actions saved my life. You tried to save me in the most fundamental way possible and I am forever in your debt.”
“Don’t remember it. Sounds nice for you, but it doesn’t matter to me.”
“Same old Reid, I see.”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“Look, Reid, I know it isn’t my business-“
“Oh, this bodes well.”
“But, you should take it easy on Luke.”
“Why does everyone seem to think I should just give the Golden Boy a free pass? Did he buy all of you off?”
“Reid, you don’t know him.”
“You’re right; I don’t know him. Please tell him that.”
“Fine. Never mind,” Chris huffed. “I was coming to let you know that while you’re getting the death certificate straightened out, you may still practice here.”
Reid had not thought about this issue. “I’m not going to argue, but isn’t that a bit risky for the hospital?” Only in Oakdale would it be harder to rent a car than work at a hospital.
“Luke says you’re Reid, and I believe him. He’s also footing the bill for any liability that comes up.”
“He’s what?”
“He is taking on any liability risk in the event you and Memorial are sued for malpractice. He said he knew you would go crazy if you couldn’t practice medicine.”
“Oh,” said Reid, oddly touched despite himself, “he didn’t have to do that.” He could not believe he just let that sentence escape his mouth.
“No, he didn’t. But, like I said before, you don’t know Luke.”
“Repeating yourself doesn’t make it any more effective.”
“Fine,” said an exasperated Chris, “suit yourself. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“Yeah, tonight. My wife is throwing a party and she’s so excited you’re coming that she can’t sit down. She has been making food for forty-eight hours straight.”
“Oh, that.” Reid mentally groaned and wondered what excuse he could give to get out of going. A sudden case of malaria?
“You’re coming, right? She’ll come downstairs and drag you out if you don’t show up.” Chris put his hand on Reid’s shoulder and said, “I’m not kidding.”
“Don’t touch the genius!” Reid snarled as he shrugged off Chris’s hand.
Unfazed, Chris asked, “The party?”
“Fine, fine. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
***
Later that morning, he exchanged the following messages with Luke.
--Thanks for leaving me records. Gave them to attorney to give to court. Petition will be filed later in the day.
--How long will this take?
--A few weeks, but I can call in favors to speed up the process.
--Call in favors. Don’t want to wait.
--You’re welcome!
If that exchange were not annoying enough, evidence that Mr. Snyder had yet again been in his office was present when he returned for his lunch break. There, sitting upon a paper plate, was an excellent looking sandwich. Piled high with what appeared to be pastrami and corned beef, it looked too tasty for Reid to pass up on philosophical grounds. So much for ignoring Luke’s little game today. Biting into it, he could taste the coleslaw and Russian dressing melding with the meats. It was savory ambrosia. He started to wonder where in Oakdale Luke had found such a sandwich when he saw the business card sitting underneath the plate-Arties.
Unless it was an amazing coincidence, Artie’s was a New York delicatessen, an extremely good one that did not ship sandwiches to small towns in Illinois. Reid idly wondered how Luke could have pulled it off-the sandwich was fresh and did not taste like it had traveled halfway across the country.
Tented next to the plate was the same stationery from the day before. This time the note read:
Things Reid Oliver Likes, Loves, or Otherwise Admires
The brain
Sandwiches
Reid shook his head. Who cared how Luke got it here? Clearly he used his money, apparently Mr. Snyder’s modus operandi, to achieve this feat. Typical rich kid. This gift was not thoughtful at all when he considered that Luke probably had an assistant pick it out. And besides, anyone could figure out that Reid liked sandwiches. What member of the human race did not like to eat? Yet again, Mr. Snyder failed to show any meaningful insight into Reid. He just wished that Luke would stop this little game and leave him alone.
A/N: The next chapter is a much longer and more satisfying one. If I can bust through writing another chapter in the next 24 hours, I'll post chapter 15 this week...