Which Fielding would be very happy to do. Molson rubbed his face. “Lead on.”
“There’s a tapeworm situation in exam two, a kid with a fever in exam three, and a dizzy woman in exam five,” Fielding handed Molson the charts as they walked. “Which one comes first?”
“Fever kid,” Molson knew that was the protocol. The kid was at more risk than the other two unless the woman’s symptoms developed into something that was more urgent.
“Debatable,” Fielding started in on why the woman with the dizziness could need to be seen first. They stepped into exam room three. “You take the lead.”
“Good morning,” Molson wasn’t sure it was still morning. It could be afternoon. He gave a quick, unfelt smile in greeting. He didn’t know why Fielding had suddenly let him take the lead. That had never happened before. “I’m Molson Colborne and I’ll be your attending today. What seems to be the issue with James?”
The mother took one look at Molson and her lips pursed in disapproval. “You’re not touching my son.”
“Excuse me?” Molson hesitated, surprised by her.
“I’m not having some gangbanger looking at my son,” she bristled with a hostile voice.
“Ma’am, I’m part of the residency program at the hospital. I’m not a member of any gang,” Molson explained patiently.
“I know what that tattoo means,” she looked at Fielding. “Why would you have this man working here? Hospitals are supposed to be safe places. I’m going to report this.”
“Ma’am, I’ just trying to do my job,” Molson looked at James who was miserable and hot. “Why don’t you let me help your son?”
“You come anywhere near me and I’ll sue!” she exclaimed. “Get away from my son.”
“It says on the chart that James has had a fever for the past two days. Is that true?” Molson tried to divert her attention to James. “Why don’t you tell me what you’ve been doing to try to bring the fever down?”
“I said get out. I want a real doctor,” she grabbed her purse. “If you don’t leave right now, I’m taking my son somewhere else.”
Fielding grabbed Molson’s arm. “Excuse us ma’am.”
Molson bit the inside of his cheek as he allowed Fielding to drag him outside the exam room.
“Do you see? Do you understand why you can’t be a doctor?” Fielding asked him.
“This was a special case. None of the other patients have said things like that,” Molson fought with the familiar feeling of anger and frustration over the situation.
“How many of them look at you with fear in their eyes? Doubt that you know what you’re talking about? How many of them don’t trust you? They stand a little closer to their kids, they hover like a hawk to make sure you’re not going to steal their purses,” Fielding gestured to the tattoos on Molson’s neck. “As a doctor you have to bring immediate authority and trust to the table. You can’t do that.”
Molson struggled as the familiar feeling of despair welled up. “I’m not planning on working at a posh hospital. My first pick is General.”
“I would think it would be worse there,” Fielding softened his tone. “That demographic will know exactly what each of your tattoos mean. Those patients will be even more wary of you. Drop out of the program. Stay away from my daughter.”
Molson looked sharply at Fielding. “Is that what this is all about? Holly? You got some nerve.”
“I’ve got some nerve?” Fielding had a short laugh. “She’s way out of your league. A man like you will only bring her down in the world. If you have any feelings for her at all, you’ll walk away.”
“Leave Holly out of this,” Molson growled.
“You’re angry because you know it’s true,” Fielding told him.
“I’m angry because every day I gotta push against people like you,” Molson said hotly. “You all judge like you’re better than me. You’re not.”
“I’m not the one running around with gang tattoos on my neck,” Fielding responded. “I’m not the one with a tear tattoo, symbolizing that I killed someone, then expecting people to trust and respect me. That’s unrealistic. You’re not the right man for this job. You’re not the right man for my daughter. You’ll never amount to anything. And yes, I am better than you, some whiney punk from the poor section of town. It’s called privilege. I have it, you don’t.”
“I can’t deal with this right now,” Molson shoved the chart against Fielding’s chest.
“You walk, you’re out of the program,” Fielding taunted.
“I don’t care,” Molson snarled. “I’m walking away so that I don’t do anything I’ll regret.”
