Chapter 38
First Encounter with
the Second Home
From the second I set foot in Desert Springs Hospital, it felt like a very friendly and accessible place. There was something homey, perhaps even personal about it – so unlike the feeling I had whenever entering any other hospital.
“Are any doctors around?” Dr. Olivier asked the receptionist sitting in the lobby.
“Only the duty doctor, and he’s in the cafeteria.”
“You see? That’s how it is here. Sometimes it’s so quiet you can hardly believe it’s a hospital.”
“I’m sure, compared to New-Hope Medical Center, Parkview Medical Center, or Shoreline Medical Center.”
“Come on, I’ll take you back to the clinic, and we’ll meet again tomorrow.”
“Can I do the morning sick call?” I asked.
“No problem. I’ll run some errands and come around ten, and we’ll try the hospital again. I’ll speak with Leila, the director’s secretary. She’ll get you in to see the administrators. Nothing here is very formal.”
Until Lily arrived, I spent the nights in the clinic.
The next morning, about ten soldiers came in. Ethan, the medic, helped me with triage, prescriptions, and all the procedures connected to the military system. At all times, I was aware that the hospital was only about five minutes from the clinic. With such backup, my confidence was boosted.
Dr. Olivier arrived at ten. He laughed when he saw me sitting inhis chair – maybe with some relief, as if to say, “Here, this is the official seal marking the end of my service.”
“Ethan, we’re heading to the hospital,” Dr. Olivier called in the direction of the medicine storeroom.
“Leah, this is Dr. Michael, the doctor replacing me. He’s married, and he’ll be living in town,” he introduced me to the head secretary.
“Who do you want to talk with first – the chief doctor or the administrative director?” I was surprised, but I liked the ease of the personal flow there. The fact that I could choose who to speak with, without an appointment, was new to me. At New-Hope Medical Center, you couldn’t talk to either of those two without scheduling weeks ahead. Here, at Desert Springs Hospital, the doors really were open.
Amir, the administrative director, made sure I filled out a form called “Private Practice Authorization,” and added that as far as he was concerned, I could start work right away. Dr. Olivier explained that this permit allowed me to practice at the hospital, the health clinic, First Aid Lifeline, the hotels, and the diving clubs. Leila added that in Eilat, doctors were the most in-demand profession.
“You can also buy an apartment here – it’ll really make things easier for you,” Amir added.
Why would I need an apartment in Eilat? Who even had money for one? I had just gotten married, and within two days, I was already buying an apartment? Someone here was crazy.
“You’ll thank me,” Amir said before I even managed to speak. “Leila, please get hold of the director of National Housing Authority.” Later, I learned the term “essential worker,” which gave me the right to buy an apartment in Eilat with outstanding terms.
“I’m stepping out to run some errands and will be right back. Don’t disappear on me,” Dr. Olivier said, seeing how well I wasgetting along with Amir and Leila. Before leaving, he introduced me to the man he called the most important person in the hospital – Musa the driver, who “Makes sure anyone who needs a ride gets one, anytime, 24/7.”
“Yossi,” I heard Amir’s voice. “Do you have apartments for doctors for sale? I’ve got a new doctor who’s come to town.”
I had only come to get to know the hospital and its doctors, and suddenly I found myself wrestling with the question of buying an apartment. I had no money, no necessary documents, hadn’t even finished my intake at the base – and now an apartment on my head? And without Lily?
After hanging up the phone, Amir saw my distress and said:
“Listen, in Eilat everything moves slowly. Don’t worry. If someone’s already on the way to meet you, go. He’ll be at 4009 in half an hour.”
For the first time in my life, someone directed me to a house number only – no street name, just a number.
“That’s how it is in Eilat. No streets, just house numbers,” he concluded, explained where it was, and added, “Less than five minutes on foot and you’re there.”
When I left his office, I saw Dr. Olivier chatting with a nurse near the ER.
“A lot to take in,” he smiled knowingly at me.
