Rose & Other Stories
said.
“I really hope it helps,” Dr. Gar said.
“I was wondering if you would be willing to answer some questions,” Dr. Fenton said as they started back towards the reception desk.
“I don’t mine answering any questions,” Dr. Gar said, “I put everything about Autumn I could on the papers.”
“I saw that,” Dr. Fenton said, “I was wondering when you graduated.”
“May of last year,” Dr. Gar answered.
“What have you been doing with yourself since then?” Dr. Fenton asked.
“Working with the alcoholics at the hospital,” Dr. Gar answered, “It doesn’t use much for my skills and education, but it pays the rent and most of the groceries.”
“What did you specialize in?” Dr. Fenton asked.
“Clinical mostly,” Dr. Gar answered, “A little bit of drug therapy. Why these questions? Are you looking for a new doctor for the hospital?”
They had reached the waiting area. Dr. Fenton moved them away from the reception desk and the nurse’s hearing.
“I’m looking for a replacement,” Dr. Fenton answered, “I’m thinking of retiring in the next five years and I can’t leave these patients without a competent doctor. The board of directors found a doctor they think should replace me, but he has only shown himself to be incompetent. I am supposed to meet with the board of directors this week and tell them that. However, if I don’t suggest a doctor who could take over from me they won’t listen. You seem competent.”
“I don’t have the experience to run a mental hospital,” Dr. Gar said, “Even if you had done the required background checks.” Dr. Fenton could tell Dr. Gar was uncertain even if the idea appealed and excited him.
“I would mentor you into the role,” Dr. Fenton said, “I have your contact information, so I can do the background check in the next couple days. Would you be interested in the opportunity?”
“Yes, I would be interested in the opportunity,” Dr. Gar said, “If you think I am right for the job.
“I’ll do the background check tomorrow and I will call you before I take the recommendation to the board of directors,” Dr. Fenton said.
“Okay,” Dr. Gar said. Dr. Fenton offered his hand and Dr. Gar shook it.
“Good night,” Dr. Fenton said.
“Good night,” Dr. Gar replied before heading for the exit. Dr. Fenton watched him leave before turning back to the reception desk and giving the nurse the paperwork.
June 20, 2012
Rose slipped the pill into her hand and swallowed the water as if she was swallowing the pill. She gave both cups to the orderly and shuffled along with the rest of the patients. Most of them shuffled into the dayroom, but Rose didn’t follow them. No one paid attention as Rose continued down the hallway.
There was no one in the hallway when she reached the break room and slipped inside. She looked around and saw that it was empty. She started searching for an item she had seen before. Dr. Radburn had a water bottle that she had seen him carry around. Rose found it half full of water in the fridge. She took it out and followed the instructions given to her. She crushed up the pill and put it into the water. Then she put the water bottle back in the fridge. Rose slipped out of the break room and headed outside to her roses.
Dr. Fenton stopped and looked when he noticed someone coming out of the break room. It was Rose. Her eyes were a little clearer for not being on the medication for two days, but she was still lost in her own world the majority of the time. Finn must have told her to do something. She would remember if he asked, but not if anyone else asked.
Dr. Fenton continued on his way. Whatever Rose was doing didn’t concern him as much as finishing the background check on Dr. Gar. The meeting with the board of directors was tomorrow and he needed to be ready.
June 21, 2012
“Dr. Radburn,” Dr. Fenton called.
Dr. Radburn didn’t stop and seemed not to hear his own name.
“Dr. Radburn,” Dr. Fenton called louder, but still didn’t get any response, “Dr. Radburn!”
Dr. Radburn stopped and looked around. He finally noticed Dr. Fenton and turned to him.
“Yes?” Dr. Radburn asked.
“What is wrong with you?” Dr. Fenton demanded, “You show up two hours late, you just about knock over the medication cart because you didn’t notice it, and you haven’t done anything that you are supposed to get done.”
“I’ll get to it,” Dr. Radburn said and then turned around and walked away.
Dr. Fenton stayed where he was and watched him go.
“He doesn’t drink enough water or fast enough,” Rose said from behind Dr. Fenton, “He isn’t getting enough at one time for it to have the full effect.”
“I’d put it in his coffee, but he would leave it somewhere and never get around to drinking it,” Dr. Fenton said.
“He takes pain medicine for his arm,” Rose said, “He can’t forget pain, so he would take painkillers.”
“His arm?” Dr. Fenton asked.
“He winces sometimes if he moves it wrong,” Rose said, “Must be a recent injury because he winces multiple time in a day.”
“I will see if I can find and exchange his painkillers,” Dr. Fenton said, “He is going to be busy until lunch, so I will do it now.”
“I’ll continue to put mine into his water,” Rose said, “The more he has in a day the faster it takes effect.”
“As long as it isn’t enough for him to overdose,” Dr. Fenton said.
“There isn’t enough Seraton in the building for him to overdose,” Rose said.
“Good,” Dr. Fenton said before heading off to where the medication was kept.
Dr. Fenton straightened his clothes before he opened the door. The board of directors were already seated and waiting.
“Good evening, Dr. Fenton,” Director Robertson greeted him as Dr. Fenton took a seat at the table in front of them.
“Good evening,” Dr. Fenton responded.
“Where is Dr. Radburn?” Director Robertson asked.
“I have no idea where he is,” Dr. Fenton answered, “He disappeared this afternoon and I haven’t seen him since. He was also two hours later this morning. He was on time for most of the month. However, he sees all the treatments as slow and useless. He has argued with me over the treatment of several patients who have shown great improvements over the last several months. Many patients avoid him, a few shut down when he is there, and some will attack or act out when he is around.”
“You do not think he should replace you,” Director Robertson said, “But he was the best candidate that we could find.”
“I understand that,” Dr. Fenton said, “I also brought a solution.”
“Let’s hear it,” Director Robertson said after glancing around at the other directors to make sure it was okay.
“I have found a young, inexperienced doctor, who had excellent grades and graduated in the last two years,” Dr. Fenton said, “I would take five years and mentor him into the position. He would start out with a few jobs and would slowly add more over those years until he does everything I do now. I would show him how to do things, explain certain treatments, and give everyone a chance to get used to him running the mental hospital. At the end of the five years, he would be in control and I would be down to part time counselling work. Then I can retire easily from there.”
The directors looked at each other and conferred in whispers for several minutes. Finally Director Robertson looked up at Dr. Fenton.
“Who is this young, inexperienced doctor?” Director Robertson asked.
“Dr. Gar,” Dr. Fenton took a file from his stack of papers. He took the file to Director Robertson and set it on the table before going back to his spot.
Director Robertson skimmed it before passing it around. All the directors skimmed it until it got back to Robertson. Then they conferred for several more minutes.
When they were finished, Director Robertson focused on Dr. Fenton.
&n
bsp; “We accept this solution,” Director Robertson said, “I will be there tomorrow to talk to Dr. Radburn. You can tell Dr. Gar that he starts next Monday.”
“Thank you,” Dr. Fenton said.
June 22, 2012
Dr. Fenton and Director Robertson found Dr. Radburn at the reception desk as he signed in for the day.
“Director Robertson,” Dr. Radburn greeted him with a nod. His hair was sticking up, he had not shaved in two days, and his eyes were having trouble staying in reality.
“Dr. Radburn,” Director Robertson acknowledged him. Dr. Fenton checked to make sure that a couple of orderlies were within range to come running to help, just as he had asked. Rose was right about switching the painkillers. It looked like Dr. Radburn had downed half the bottle.
“You were supposed to be here three hours ago,” Director Robertson said.
“Oh,” Dr. Radburn said. He was confused and probably didn’t know what time it was, let alone remember when he was supposed to be there.
“You are fired,” Director Robertson said.
A light came on in Dr. Radburn’s eyes and he turned toward Director Robertson.
“You can’t take this away from me,” Dr. Radburn screamed before going for Director Robertson’s neck. Dr. Fenton was a second too slow and Dr. Radburn got his hands around Director Robertson’s neck.
“Orderlies!” Dr. Fenton yelled as he tried to separate the men. The orderlies rushed in and tried to help, but Dr. Radburn was too strong. The nurse got up and offered Dr. Fenton a needle of tranquilizer. Dr. Fenton took it and injected it into the exposed part of Dr. Radburn’s neck.
Dr. Radburn