“She’s twenty-five, sir. She’s young, but she’s no kid.”
“She’s twenty-five and I’m forty-two. I need a woman my age.”
“With respect sir, you don’t need a woman your age.”
William found that comment strange. And out of line. “I don’t?”
“No sir.”
“And why not, Bobby? Enlighten me.”
“Because youarea woman your age.”
William frowned. He lost him totally. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“You’re only forty-two, but you act like you’re ancient, sir. A woman your age will reinforce that. Joy will fight against that. You need a Joy in your life.”
William actually smiled. Which gave Bobby permission to smile too. And William nodded. “I’ll take that under advisement, Mr. Latham.”
Bobby nodded. He really respected and even cared deeply about the boss. He was a good man beneath the gruff. He wanted him happy too. “Good decision,” he said, and they both laughed.
Then the door to the waiting room opened and a white-haired white woman who appeared to be in her mid-fifties walked in. Sloane and Cory came back in behind her.
At first the doctor looked annoyed to have been disturbed from her perch, as if she didn’t believe for a second that William Skeffington would be in their waiting room. But as soon as she saw William, her look changed dramatically and she hurried to him. “Mr. Skeffington, hello.” Her hand was extended. “I’m Dr.Rodgers, the chief of surgery. I understand you have questions regarding one of our patients?”
William shook her hand. “How’s Joynetta Johnson?”
“She’s fine, sir. I spoke with the charge nurse concerning her case and she said it was Mr. Latham who ordered additional tests. Not our staff. That’s what’s taking so long.”
William found the woman insulting. Instead of being helpful, she was attempting to appoint blame. “You mean he advocated for Miss Johnson and made sure she received optimum care?” William asked.
The doctor was taken aback. Bobby smiled. “Yes, sir,” she said. “He advocated for her. And we are preparing to run a few more tests. But she’s been back in her room recovering for some time now.”
William frowned. So did Bobby. “Back in her room?” William asked. “Why wasn’t I notified that she was back in her room?”
“The staff wasn’t aware it was you that was here, sir.”
William was angry. “I wasn’t here, but they knew she had people concerned about her here. But what does it matter right? They figured the two black men that were here didn’t dignify anybody bothering to come and let them know her status. Is that how it works around here?”
The doctor seemed flustered. “I do apologize, sir.”
“Save it!” William began heading for the exit. Then he stopped, turned, and looked at that doctor again. “She belongs to me, you understand?”
“Yes sir.”
“She gets the best care humanly possible.”
The doctor knew a man like him could come down like a ton of bricks on that hospital. Which could be her ass. “Yes sir,” she said with force.
“Where is she?” William asked.
The doctor hurried in front of him. “Right this way, sir,” she said.
But as Cory, Sloane and Bobby were hurrying out too, Sloane looked at Bobby. “Shebelongsto him?”
“That’s what the man said.”
“Since when?” she asked. But Bobby, who knew Sloane wanted hooks in the boss for herself, only smiled and left the room.
