Vortex by Wilson Robert Charles

Author:Wilson, Robert Charles [Wilson, Robert Charles]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Fantasy
ISBN: 9781429960731
Goodreads: 11769185
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: 2011-07-05T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

SANDRA AND BOSE

Sandra arrived at the State Care intake facility at noon. The parking lot was silvered with heat mirages and the air was thick and oppressive, worse, if that was possible, than yesterday. The guard manning the desk at the entrance—his name was Teddy—sat basking in the breeze from a small rotary fan, but he stood up hastily when he recognized Sandra. “Dr. Cole! Hi! Hey, listen, I’m sorry, but I have instructions not to let you pass—”

“That’s okay, Teddy. Give Dr. Congreve a call and tell him I’m here and that I’d like to speak to him.”

“I guess I can do that—yes, ma’am.” Teddy murmured into a handset, waited, murmured again; then he turned to Sandra and smiled. “All right. Again, sorry about that! Dr. Congreve says you can go to his office. He wants me to tell you you should go there directly.”

“Do not pass Go. Do not collect two hundred dollars.”

“Pardon me?”

“Nothing. Thanks, Teddy.”

“You’re welcome! Have a nice day, Dr. Cole.”

* * *

Congreve was wearing a triumphant look when Sandra stepped into his office. She reminded herself that she was here to play a role, the same way she had played Desdemona in her high school production of Othello. My noble father, I do perceive here a divided duty. Not that she was much of an actress. “Sorry to bother you, Dr. Congreve.”

“I’m surprised to see you, Dr. Cole. I thought you understood you were to take the rest of the week off.”

“I do understand. But I wanted to apologize for my behavior, and I thought I should do it in person.”

“Really? That’s a sudden change of heart.”

“I know it seems that way. But I’ve had time to think it over. Time to do a little soul-searching, you could say. Because I do value my career here at State. And looking back, I believe I acted improperly.”

“In what way?”

“Well, by overstepping my authority, to begin with. I took a proprietary interest in Orrin Mather, and I guess I resented it when you gave the case to another physician.”

“I explained to you why I thought that was a good idea.”

“Yes, sir, and I understand now.”

“Well—I appreciate you saying so. It can’t be easy for you. What’s so special about this particular patient, can you tell me that?” Steepling his hands, regarding her thoughtfully, assuming a grave judiciousness.

“I don’t suppose he is special. He just seemed particularly … I don’t know. Fragile? Vulnerable?”

“All our patients are vulnerable. That’s why they’re here. That’s why we’re in the business of helping them.”

“I know.”

“And it’s why we can’t afford the luxury of identifying too closely with them. The best gift we can give the men and women under our care is absolute objectivity. That’s what I meant when I called your behavior unprofessional. Do you see what I’m driving at?”

“Yes sir, I do.”

“And do you understand why I suggested you take some time off? Usually, when a physician begins to project his own anxieties onto his patients, it’s because he’s tired or distraught.

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