Thomas called too. Just before noon. “Still on for Friday?”
“Yes, sounds good.”
We agreed on 7:30 p.m. at my house.
The week crept by peacefully.
On Thursday, I received a phone call from Ryan, the Kraken team physician.
“Elizabeth!” he said exuberantly after I answered. “How are you?”
“I’m good. It’s been a while. How’s the team?”
I heard the horn of a ferry in the background. “Funny you should ask. I wanted to talk to you about a job.”
Dread crept up my spine. The walls of my office felt too constricting. “Hey Ryan, can I call you right back? I’m going to step outside. I just need a minute.” He agreed and I disconnected the call.
I grabbed my wireless earbuds and left my office. The sun was shining brightly. I wanted to breathe in the fresh mountain air.
I sat on one of the picnic tables around the side of the clinic, put my earbuds in and connected the Bluetooth. He answered right away. “Lord, did you travel to Russia? That took you forever.”
I closed my eyes and turned my face to the sun. “I needed a minute to get settled.”
“How’s Alaska?”
I opened my eyes and looked around. The sky was the color of a shiny robin’s egg. A soft wind rustled the cottonwood trees, their cottony substance floated in the air like snowflakes. In the distance, I could hear the river running, smashing over the boulders. I didn’t lie when I responded, “Beautiful.”
“Nice, nice.” Wind swept over the microphone. “Are you happy up there?”
His tone was baited.
“What are calling about, Ryan?” I asked warily.
“I want to offer you a job.”
“I’m not coming to work for the franchise. In answer to your question, I’m happy in family practice. I like the small-town work. I’m done with ortho.”
He laughed. “Well, you stepped right into that one, because I’m not looking for a team physician.”
Again, panic. Slowly, I asked, “What are you looking for?”
“A partner.”
He let it just sit between us. Equal parts hope, and anxiety filled me. A partner. I had to assume it was in his practice, but I needed to hear him say it.
Tentatively, I asked, “In?”
He laughed. “My practice. I need someone I trust. And you just said it yourself, you’re happy in family practice.”
A partner. That’s the dream job. In a small town. My own practice. Life wouldn’t get much more perfect than that.
When I didn’t immediately respond, he rushed on, “You’re good, Liz. I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t really want you here. We’re getting a lot of new patients. Kids, and adults. The community here is growing with tons of new money and athletes wanting to be close to Seattle, but not too close.”
A hot flush of embarrassment rushed through me. And then, anger. “Seriously, Ryan? That’s the bait? How much did he pay you to offer me this job?”
“What?”
“Barringer. How did he convince you?”