The Doctor and I(11)

I did not think that he treated me differently than he treated them, and I assumed that they were just jealous that he was taking the time to teach me. I knew one day I would be a better nurse than they ever had been.

Dr. Shaffer really was an amazing man. He told me how he had joined the Army right out of high school and had earned his medical degree through them. He had served ten years and when he got out of the Army, he had moved back to his hometown to open up an office. He told me how he had been in Iraq and how he had saved soldiers’ lives. The stories he told were fantastic. I did notice that he never talked about a woman in his life, or any family for that matter. He only talked about his work.

I had made it to the Doctor’s office door and placed my hand on the doorknob. The door suddenly opened and there stood Dr. Shaffer in front of me.

“Come in, Ivy,” Dr. Shaffer said, looking down at me.

I walked into the office, not sure what I should say to him. He walked up next to me and placed his hands on the back of a chair. “Sit down.”

I moved to sit down and felt Dr. Shaffer rub up against me. My heart pounded. It had to have been an accident. We were in his office and surely he would not make an advance on someone my age, especially not in his office. It was too risky.

Dr. Shaffer walked to his chair and sat down, looking sternly at me. “Do you know why you are here?” he asked.

I looked up at him, honestly not having any idea. “I don’t,” I answered. The way he looked at me was as if he could see right through my clothes. I had never had anyone look at me like that before. I crossed my legs and looked back at him. I could feel something tingle in my stomach and it made me uncomfortable. Yes, I was attracted to him and I hoped that he could not tell.

“You know, Ivy,” he said slowly. “Some of the other nurses seem to have a problem with you being here. Can you tell me why that is?”

I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t tell him what I thought, could I? I knew that I could not lie to him. “They think that you favor me,” I blurted out.

Dr. Shaffer smiled and looked at me. “Is that so?” he asked, “And what do you think about that?”

“I think that you are trying to help me, and that they are acting like a bunch of high school girls,” I replied.

Dr. Shaffer let out a loud laugh, “It sounds to me like you are right. If I tell you something do you promise not to tell anyone, Ivy?”

What was I going to say, no? “Of course,” I replied.

“I do favor you,” Doctor Shaffer said, getting up from his desk and walking over to me. I looked up at him and he took me by the hand. “I think you are an amazing young woman and I think that the two of us can help each other out.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, standing up and looking at him, confused.

“I can give you great recommendations. I can help you find a permanent job when you get out of college. And I am sure that you can help me,” he said with a smile.

“I am not sure I understand,” I said to him. I had no idea what he was talking about. I truly was an innocent young girl, and looking back on it, I feel as if I had to be the most stupid person on the planet.

“You think about how you can help me out tonight. You have my home number so call me tomorrow when you figure it out and we can meet at my house,” he said casually.

I left his office and went to gather my things. I was glad that my shift was over and I was glad that the weekend was starting. I could not believe that those nurses had went to him and told him that they had a problem with me. I could not believe that he said he was going to help me find a job once I finished school.

I was angry and excited at the same time. I was going to meet my best friend Valarie for dinner that night. I could not wait to vent all of my frustrations, as well as tell her how lucky I was to be working for Dr. Shaffer.

I drove home, showered, and got ready for dinner. I wore a white shirt that fitted tight and hugged my curves. It had a lace back and was very feminine, but not too revealing. I also wore a cute black skirt that Valarie had bought for me. It was much shorter than what I was used to, but I wanted her to know that I appreciated it. I did my makeup and hair. I slipped on a pair of black flats, grabbed my bag, and headed out the door.

I met Valarie at a local bar and restaurant that we loved to visit. It was the kind of place that the partiers did not go to, and although I was too young to drink, I loved the food and I loved the environment. I used to enjoy sitting at a table with Valarie, drinking our virgin drinks and pretending like we were rich.

We walked in together and found a seat. Our waitress took our order, and it was all I could do not to spill my guts to her while I was trying to order. As soon as the waitress walked away, I started telling her all about my day.