Chapter 7 - Country Club Whispers
|
By the end of the week, news of Richard Reynolds’ emergency cardiac surgery had swept through the wealthy social circles of Chicago.
And with it came the story of the surgeon who saved him.
I was sitting in the hospital cafeteria with Daniel on Saturday afternoon when his phone buzzed with a stream of text messages from family friends.
Daniel chuckled, shaking his head as he scrolled through his screen.
“What is it?” I asked, taking a sip of my black coffee.
“Aunt Eleanor just texted me,” Daniel said, a grin spreading across his face. “Apparently, Mom went to the Reynolds Country Club yesterday for tea, trying to act like nothing happened.”
“And?”
“And Cousin Sarah asked her how 'the little nurse' was doing,” Daniel laughed. “Mom had to explain to fifteen high-society women that 'the nurse' was actually the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at St. Victoria, and that you personally opened Dad's chest to save his life.”
I smiled faintly. “How did they take it?”
“Aunt Eleanor said Barbara looked like she wanted the earth to swallow her whole,” Daniel replied. “Word travels fast. Everyone is calling Mom a snob who couldn't recognize real class if it hit her in the face.”
At that moment, my phone rang. It was the Hospital Board Chairman, Arthur Vance.
“Dr. Carter,” Arthur’s booming voice echoed through the speaker. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Not at all, Arthur. What can I do for you?”
“I’m calling about the Annual St. Victoria Charity Gala next month,” Arthur said warmly. “Given your extraordinary work this year, the Board unanimously voted to name you the Keynote Speaker and Guest of Honor.”
I looked at Daniel, who gave me a encouraging nod.
May you like
“I’d be honored, Arthur,” I said.
“Wonderful! Oh, and by the way,” Arthur added smoothly. “I believe the Reynolds family purchased a sponsor table. Your future mother-in-law will have a front-row seat.”
