After a couple of seconds of uncomfortable silence, noticing how I hadn't reacted the way she had expected… or really reacted at all. "Good news, right?" asked Dr. Cuddy, straightening her back tensely.
Coming out of the trance I was in. "Oh, yeah yeah, it's just… quite sudden" I replied, moving my hands uncomfortably.
Truth be told, I had no problem presenting my article at a national conference, in fact it was a great opportunity to expand my curriculum even more, the problem was having the presentation itself ready.
With access to current technology, finishing a poster and much more a presentation in less than a week was a very heavy workload, in fact practically impossible, much more so if the quality had to be at the level of a national conference.
Visibly worried. "I know and I'm sorry, it's just that these were the last available days to submit abstracts, and with no way of contacting you, I decided it would be an incredible opportunity for you" Dr. Cuddy quickly excused herself.
In a way I doubted very much that the woman had my interests at the top of her mind when making the decision, mostly because of what she herself had admitted to me moments earlier in the same conversation.
"The conference is in Dallas, so of course the hospital will cover all travel expenses, as well as per diem for the weekend" she immediately added, clearly trying hard to sell me the idea of enjoying the trip.
Forcing a smile on my face. "Sounds pretty good" I commented, falsely excited, at that moment I couldn't think of anything else but how I would organize my time, I had no way of managing it on my own, maybe I could use Diane and Sheldon's help, pay the latter as if it were a summer job, Diane too if she allowed me.
Cutting off my train of thought, and apparently completely believing my act. "Yeah it does, right?" asked Dr. Cuddy excitedly, and in a way seeming relieved.
Unfortunately I would have to break her illusion, because even with Sheldon and Diane's help, I doubted I could finish. "Is just that…" I murmured, causing the woman's relieved smile to change immediately, "I don't think I'll have the presentation ready in a couple of days" I added nervously.
In fact even so it would be practically impossible with the technology of the time, not only did I have to make the entire formats of the 'slides' in documents done purely in code, which by itself would be extremely time-consuming, then I would have to send the files to be printed somewhere that had what was needed for thirty-five millimeter format, and the developing could take days, weeks even.
Completely contrary to my expectation, seeming relieved. "Oh that" said Dr. Cuddy indifferently, standing up.
Not understanding how something as important as not having enough time to prepare a presentation for the national cardiology conference was just 'oh that' in her eyes, I saw the woman walk over to her desk, easily taking a pile of papers as well as a small cardboard box.
With both things in her hands. "Before the committee accepted or rejected the abstract of your article, I offered a couple of extra credits to a senior year group" the woman said, returning to the armchair she had been in a moment earlier, "I reviewed it and I think it's quite good, of course you have a couple of days to correct any slide you find inadequate" she added, pushing both the binder and the small box into my hands.
Incredulous, I flipped through the pages of the new binder, finding inside the format of a presentation already made of my article, without needing to open the box I already knew that inside was the same content as the binder but in thirty-five millimeter printed slides.
Maybe noticing my incredulity. "Don't worry, all the doctors do this, it's great practice for the students" Dr. Cuddy assured me carelessly.
I already knew it was a common practice, in fact on my own I had done dozens of this type of presentation, each and every one with extra credit as compensation.
Not knowing what to say, since I had never imagined being in the position where someone would make a presentation for me, I continued flipping through the pages of the binder in complete silence.
Allowing me to read, Dr. Cuddy, once again calm, explained how she herself had made sure every day that the presentation was up to the standard of a national conference.
Something that, in my opinion, she achieved. The presentation was perfectly well made, at least I don't think I could have done anything better, it perfectly condensed the information from my article, highlighting the important parts and leaving spaces for me to explain analytically, overall it was an excellent presentation.
Closing the binder in my arms. "I don't know what to say" I murmured, still incredulous.
Smiling kindly. "You don't have to say anything" said Dr. Cuddy, "you just have to give a great presentation" she commented a moment later, as if it were a sudden idea.
Without her needing to say it, it was clear that the doctor was worried about how the hospital would be seen by sending a teenager as its sole representative at a national conference.
Much more relieved not to have such a heavy sudden workload. "Sure" I replied amused.
Even though I've never enjoyed being the center of attention in any situation, as I said before, presenting my work in front of a conference was not something that bothered me in the least.
"By the way, do you have a good suit?" Dr. Cuddy asked seriously, joining her hands over her legs, "because the hospital can afford to buy you one."
"Oh no, I have one" I replied quickly, and even if I didn't, the idea of the hospital buying me one, for some reason felt wrong.
"Great" said the doctor.
After that Dr. Cuddy tried to continue the conversation, asking the same questions about my two weeks of vacation that I had already answered to the nurses at the hospital reception and to Cameron in the diagnostic lounge, only this time it was incredibly more uncomfortable, since I had really never shared a conversation with Dr. Cuddy about anything personal, at least nothing that wasn't related to the hospital.
Luckily, a couple of minutes later, Dr. Cuddy checked her watch. "All right, I don't want to take up more of your time" she said, standing up, immediately straightening her skirt, "I'll let you give the good news to your parents, and tomorrow around this time leave everything clear and be able to leave without problems Friday night."
Following the woman's example, I also stood up. "Sounds good" I repeated without really knowing what to say.
She stretched out her hand, offering a handshake that I quickly accepted.
"Allow me to say once more, congratulations" said the doctor, smiling softly, "having a paper published at your age in such an important journal as Circulation is no small achievement" she added, releasing my hand a moment later.
"Thank you very much" I replied, sincerely grateful.
Without more, I left Dr. Cuddy's office carrying only the binder with the printed presentation.
Outside, seeing me approach. "Is everything all right, honey?" Fryday asked me, worried.
Leaving the binder on the reception desk. "Oh yeah" I replied immediately.
Nodding with relief. "Then what was that?" the nurse asked me, discreetly pointing with her head toward Dr. Cuddy's office.
Without thinking much. "Oh my article was accepted for publication" I replied easily.
Thinking about it, it was clear why Dr. Cuddy had been so nervous at my lack of reaction, after all anyone would be really excited to hear that they would be published, causing me to react—
"Oh my God!" exclaimed Fryday, raising her arms surprised and visibly excited, causing the people waiting, sitting in the wing, to sharply turn their heads toward her.
Yeah, exactly something like that.
Dropping her arms abruptly, covering her mouth embarrassed by the scene she had caused, Fryday comically opened her eyes. "That's amazing" she declared this time with a normal voice volume, placing one of her hands on my arm pressing firmly, "congratulations."
"Thanks" I said amused.
Without much more, as she had promised me, Fryday had set aside a small pile of charts chosen for me, taking the first I called the patient's name, guiding the man who stood up into the office.
Without needing to speak with the patient, just seeing his complexion, the effort it took him to stand up, and the way he held his abdomen in pain, I was almost completely sure it was food poisoning, surely from eating spoiled food due to the ambient temperature.
"I've had a couple of days of stomach discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and fever last night" said the patient once inside the office, House was sitting in his chair in the corner of the room in complete silence reading one of his magazines.
Wow, I was wrong, it is gastroenteritis.
After doing a basic physical exam, I directed the patient outside the office, where he had to go with the paperwork for the necessary culture orders for treatment.
With the patient out of the room, stopping before I could go get the next patient. "Why did you take so long?" House asked me with a touch of exasperation in his voice, "did you really have to catch up with your sixty-year-old nurse girlfriend?" he added with a malicious smile.
Not in the mood to comment on House's wasted joke. "Oh sorry, you're so focused on reading gossip magazines that now you need to know everything about my life?" I asked sarcastically.
Exaggeratingly pretending to be offended by my question. "What, I can't be interested in my pupil's life?" House asked.
"I was in Dr. Cuddy's office" I said, noticing an immediate change in House's expression, "I was there because my article was accepted for publication" I quickly added, cutting House off before he could say anything dirty that came to his mind.
Snapping his fingers, House straightened up in his chair. "Oh that's right, that was it" he declared, pretending to be in a eureka moment, "I knew I was forgetting something."
Obviously not believing for a second in House's poorly hidden lie. "Yeah right" I murmured, shaking my head exasperated, "I guess you also forgot that apparently I'm going to present at the conference" I added raising an eyebrow.
Frowning slightly, as if it were hard for him to remember. "Oh yeah, there was also that other thing" House said slowly, "it's pitiful to see how low the national cardiology conference has fallen, just look at the kind of work they accept" he added sarcastically.
Exasperated. "Yeah yeah" I murmured, rolling my eyes, "at least I'm going to talk about my own work and not about a drug produced by Vogler" I added a moment later, smiling triumphantly as I saw House immediately frown.
Shaking his head slowly, looking at me with narrowed eyes. "That's too far" House declared with disappointment.
"Oh shut up" I said, amused, "by the way" I added, remembering our conversation when I arrived at his office, "obviously I'm not going to have time to write your speech, I have a presentation to learn."
Returning to his carefree posture with a new magazine open in front of his face. "Oh no" House murmured, putting a poor cadence of despair in his voice, "what am I going to do now?" he asked, lowering the magazine a bit, looking at me with bored eyes.
Apparently he didn't care whether he had the speech or not, fortunately I didn't have to do it before finding that out.
Snorting exasperated, I went out of the office again, ready to call the next person, who was another man with clear signs of food poisoning.
The day at the hospital passed without much more change, apart of course from the fact of adding a couple more hours of prescribing oral rehydration solution and avoiding the sun at its peak to patients in the office, and somehow, I strongly suspected thanks to Fryday and the rest of the nurses, apparently everyone in the hospital found out the good news of my article's acceptance for publication, causing every person I crossed paths with to congratulate me.
Already out of a surprisingly long day at the hospital, I drove for a while in the direction of the gym, before remembering that it was supposed to be Gabe's first day training, fortunately the way to the gym and home wasn't very far apart, so in a couple of minutes I was already on my way home.
Parking my car without much care, ready to leave quickly with my younger brother, I entered the house finding it full of people, all family, decorating for what seemed to be a surprise party and by the amount of balloons and things on the table, it looked like they had been working on it for some time.
Teddy, the first to see me, stopped surprised with a balloon in her hand. "Oh, congratulations!" she exclaimed with embarrassment, as if I had caught her doing something wrong.
With Teddy's voice calling everyone's attention, people quickly stopped what they were doing to come over to me smiling.
Meredith, Diane, my parents, Missy, Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, Meemaw, Georgie, even Sheldon were in the house preparing what seemed to be a congratulations party for my article.
"So, which nurse called you?" I asked Mom, after receiving a surprisingly strong hug for someone her size.
Pressing her lips for a second, possibly embarrassed by the gossiping ability among her coworkers. "Fryday, Mandy, even Florence" Mom answered me, taking a step back.
Snorting amused, I shook my head without saying anything, accepting the second hug and congratulations from Missy, who surely didn't understand what was going on.
Receiving even more congratulations, some with hugs and others not, like Sheldon's, who simply offered me a handshake. "I won't be left behind much longer" he warned me seriously.
Amused. "I understand" I said imitating his seriousness.
The last one to congratulate me was Diane, who buried her forehead in my chest. "Congratulations" she murmured, while the rest of the people went back to what they were doing, in a clear attempt to give us a little space, of course except Mom who stayed standing a few steps from us looking touched at the scene, a moment later Bob dragged her with him.
Snorting amused. "Thank you and congratulations, it's your article too" I replied.
"I know" Diane said, nodding, "but surprisingly I prefer preparing a surprise party than being the one surprised" she murmured, tilting her head slightly, "unfortunately it didn't work completely, you arrived early" she added, clenching her jaw.
"Consider me properly surprised" I assured her quickly.
Not a lie, I didn't expect it at all.
Before anyone else could say anything, from the hallway leading to my room. "Ah you're here, shall we go?" asked Gabe, dressed in the only sportswear he had, "what's going on?" he asked a moment later, noticing all the people in his living room and the half-done decorations.
"PJ's article is going to be published" Mom answered immediately.
Frowning for a second, like Missy, clearly not understanding what was going on. "Oh, ok" my brother murmured, walking toward me, "shall we go?" he asked apparently having lost all the nerves about going to train.
Amused by Gabe's apparent disinterest in understanding what was going on. "Sure" I replied.
"Where are you going?" Missy asked with interest.
"I'm going to learn how to fight with PJ" Gabe replied immediately.
"To defend yourself" Mom corrected, frowning.
Completely avoiding looking in Mom's direction. "Ah yeah, defend myself" my brother quickly clarified.
Surprised. "Can I go too?" Missy asked her mother, opening her eyes wide.
Without stopping to think about it for even a fraction of a second. "No" her mother replied curtly.
Lowering her head defeated. "Aw" the girl murmured.
Without more, saying goodbye, Gabe and I left the house toward the gym.
On the way, noticing how my brother seemed completely relaxed listening to music. "Aren't you nervous?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Pressing his lips, shaking his head. "No" Gabe replied immediately, "I realized something" he added, smiling widely.
"What?" I asked, interested.
Smiling calmly. "Mom is going to be very attentive to me for a while" he replied carelessly, "so you can't let anyone hurt me in any way or you'll get in trouble" he added, "so I don't have to worry about that 'hellish' training" he finished, raising his eyebrows with a triumphant smile.
Definitely Gabe's reasoning was correct, Mom would be very attentive to Gabe's health and I would certainly get in trouble if my brother got hurt.
Unable to avoid it I let out an amused laugh.
Losing his smile. "What?" Gabe asked.
"You think training with Case is just fighting someone?" I asked laughing, bursting out even more when I saw my brother slowly nod, "oh Gabe" I said, with my abdomen a little sore.
"What are you laughing at?" he asked me.
I shook my head with no intention of answering.
I understood where my brother's idea came from, after all in his imagination surely my training every day was fighting someone, which we certainly did but not daily, obviously. Like any other sport, training martial arts involved a lot of practice, cardio and strength, but with Case every day was practically hell.
When we arrived at the gym, deciding not to explain where my brother's mistake was, greeting everyone after not having gone to train for two weeks, I introduced him to everyone inside, who quickly welcomed the boy with open arms.
After all, there wasn't a single person younger than me in the gym and Gabe was literally a kid.
"Ah mini champion" said Mr. Sanderson patting Gabe's arm, "I can't wait to see what you'll become, being this monster's brother" the man added, throwing playful punches in my direction.
Making his way through the group of people. "All right, make some room or you're going to make the kid not want to come back" said my giant friend approaching where we were.
Greeting my friend with a strong palm slap. "Gabe this is Tim" I said, lightly pushing the back of my brother's head.
Being the kind giant he was. "Gabe, I've heard a lot about you" said Tim smiling softly as he offered his fist to my brother.
Impressed by Tim's size, Gabe lost his ability to speak and react for a couple of seconds.
Honestly I couldn't blame him, the comparison was even comical, with Tim being a head taller than me, and my brother barely reaching the middle of my torso, Gabe practically had to tilt his head back to see my friend's face.
Making Gabe react with another little push on the back of his head. "Ah yes, nice to meet you" my brother responded being the most respectful I had ever seen him, weakly bumping his fist against Tim's.
"Don't be nervous, I don't know what this assh- fool said about the gym, but we only come here to train" assured Tim, avoiding saying a curse word at the last second.
Before anyone could say anything else, over the noise of people talking and laughing, two surprisingly loud claps caught everyone's attention. "This is not a tea club" said Case with a frown, causing everyone around us to go back to training.
Pressing his lips and shaking his head embarrassed. "Unless you make Case angry" added Tim in a murmur.
"Welcome back" Case said to me when he got to our side, "go do physical, you too Tim" he added dryly.
Glancing at Gabe. "All right, good luck" I said patting my brother's back, moving a moment later along with Tim to the back of the gym, where the more 'spacious' area was to do physical training, jump rope, do pull-ups, flip the tractor tire we brought from the field.
While we warmed up our muscles before starting training. "Do you think he's giving him the same blood and sweat speech?" Tim asked me, who was also looking where only Case and Gabe had stayed.
Noticing the seriousness on my brother's face. "Definitely" I said amused.
Throughout the training, despite putting in effort as always in the exercises, I couldn't help but let my eyes wander to where my brother was, training one-on-one with Case, who through exercises, tested Gabe's strength, coordination, and cardio, who as time passed, was sweatier and visibly more worn out.
In the end, checking the accounting book while the gym members went home, I caught a glimpse of my brother lying on the floor, completely exhausted.
When the last person, Mr. Sanderson, left the gym saying goodbye to everyone. "Can we go now?" Gabe asked, lifting his head.
Snorting, I closed the book satisfied since we were just about to be break even and therefore start making some profit.
"The most important part is left" I said, at the same time Tim came back from the back of the place with a bucket full of water and what was needed to clean.
"Oh no" my brother murmured weakly.
---
Note.
I don't know if this also happens in the United States or other countries, but at least in Mexico (or more specifically in my university) it always happens, most of the congresses I have attended at a national level have always been thanks to the fact that I worked together with a bunch of people on an article or because I helped doctors (PhD, not medical doctors) from my university to make the presentations/posters of their articles, I have spent more time in Overleaf working on professors' posters than doing homework.
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Author Thoughts:
As always, I'm not American, not a doctor, not a fighter, not Magnus Carlsen, not Michael Phelps, not Arsene Lupin, not McLovin, not Elliot, not Capone and not Tiger Woods.
Another chapter has passed, so new thanks are in order. I would like to especially thank:
11332223
RandomPasserby96
Victor_Venegas
I think that's all. As always, if you find any errors, please let me know, and I'll correct them immediately.
Thank you for reading! :D
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