Little Falls by Will Werner

Author:Will Werner [Werner, Will]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Will Werner
Published: 2023-11-06T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 25

I arrive at Little Falls Hospital unshaven and in dire need of a shower. The fourth cup of coffee has done little to reanimate me and I am left to lurch through the day. I sit through boring meeting after boring meeting. Physician satisfaction surveys…urgent repairs for the outpatient garage…installation of metal detectors in the emergency department…flu shots…a cockroach infestation down in the physical therapy suite…pension plans…rumors of a possible strike... bedbugs on the third floor. I am forced to excuse myself in the middle of a meeting regarding upcoming changes to the blood bank. I escape to the bathroom where I splash frigid water onto my face. The image in the mirror is shocking. I look terrible—blood shot eyes, scruffy cheeks, unkempt hair. I decide to ditch the rest of the blood bank meeting and retreat to my office. On the way I pass Lucas sauntering down the hall. I can feel my abdominal muscles tighten at the sight of the man. He gives me a thumbs up. I spend the rest of the walk to my office nervously ruminating on its meaning.

Claire glances up from her desk as I enter and “tisk…tisks” upon seeing my drained visage.

“You look awful. Poor thing. How’s your mother?” she asks.

“Thanks for asking. The nurse called and said that she is actually doing better.”

“Thank you, Lord Jesus,” Claire makes the sign of the cross in the air and passes me a slip of paper. I look at the message: Call Bob White at Modern Healthcare. Shit. I’m not sure if I can muster the energy and clarity to return his phone call, but I reluctantly decide to do so in case there is a problem that I need to address pronto. I move into my office and shut the door behind me. I dial Bob White’s number, standing up to wait as the phone rings three times. I pray it goes to voicemail. Before the fourth ring, Bob picks up.

“Hey there amigo,” Bob says, his Texan droll more evident than usual.

“Hi Bob. How are you?”

“Just terrific, Ed…terrific. I just wanted to reach out again to say how tickled I am to have the opportunity to explore an acquisition with such a venerable institution like you have there in Little Falls.”

Here we go again, another fluff job. “Bob, we are just as excited with the prospect of joining such an amazing company as Modern Healthcare. Your reputation in the industry is stellar.”

“Too kind…too kind. Indeed, we are very proud of the algorithm we have developed. It’s going to revolutionize healthcare.”

“Getting everything you need?” I ask.

“Sure am. Your IT department has just sent over some preliminary data, which my guys are beginning to dive head into. The boss…the head honcho…El Leader Supremo…might have some interest in taking you out for a nice steak dinner the next time he is in the neighborhood to show our appreciation.”

“Sure. That would be great.” Hmm. What is this all about?

“We’ll be in touch. You have yourself a good one, amigo.

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