The view from the front desk is excellent for people watchers. The Institute for Brain Function, a little know lab and research center in rural GA, is a fairly busy building with three floors of mostly scientists, and some patients, a few lab rats, and Wendy, who is the receptionist who sits at the front desk and sees every doctor as they come in the mornings or leave in the evenings. She has a friendly relationship with most everyone, and sexual relationships with two female doctors that are a secret to everyone in the building, and neither of the doctors are aware of the other. Wendy had told herself before starting the job that she would not become involved with anyone because of bad experiences in the past, but one of the doctors had pursued her fairly aggressively, which she liked, and the other was just so kind that she couldn’t help but talk to her and get to know her better. Very few of the male staff are even aware that Wendy is a lesbian, or maybe they are aware but still try to pick her up, hoping to get lucky. None ever do. But Wendy likes talking to the friendly doctors as they come in, or eavesdropping on their conversations when they walk by together. Wendy has only been a receptionist at the IBF for a couple of years and she is familiar with most of the doctors that work there.
One afternoon, Wendy is behind the front desk, listening in on a conference call and taking notes for a doctor. The front door opens and Wendy sees the most beautiful woman she has ever laid eyes on at the IBF.
“I’m sorry to interrupt doctor,” Wendy says into her headset, “but there’s someone here.” Wendy stands at her desk feeling self conscious; she does look nice though.
“Can I help you Miss?” Wendy smiles politely at the woman who is fairly tall with thick black hair and a mole like a supermodel.
“My name is Maria, I’m looking for Dr. Thomas Eakran.” She is polite and when she smiles, Wendy almost melts.
But Dr. Thomas Eakran? Wendy isn’t familiar with the name at all.
“Are you sure that’s the right name?” Wendy searches through the IBF directory. No Thomas Eakran.
Wendy doesn’t see Maria’s suspicion as she searches the directory, but Maria is sure that she is in the right place. Only, she does not want to cause a scene or accuse the nice receptionist of anything. Besides, Maria can tell that Wendy is going out of her way to help her, maybe this Eakran wasn’t there as far as she knew.
“I wish I could help, but I’m not seeing him anywhere.” Wendy says.
Maria writes her number on a small slip of paper and slides it to Wendy with a smile; she can always tell when someone is attracted to her and will do anything to spend time with her.
“If you do find him, can you give me a call, I’d really like to talk to him. I have a friend that could use his help. He’s supposed to be a great doctor.”
Wendy smiles and nods as she watches Maria walk away. Before she leaves, Maria smiles and waves, then says, “hopefully I’ll talk to you soon.”
Over the next couple of days, Wendy listens for talk of Dr. Eakran before the day comes that she overhears a doctor on the phone waiting for a patient to arrive.
“I’m not equipped to deal with this…I understand that I’m listed as the consult but this is not my purview…Eakran, Thomas Eakran, he’s your man…yes, he has two regular patients with problems I couldn’t even begin to help, he’s your man.”
When the doctor is done, he asks Wendy to get Eakran on the phone.
“I don’t have an Eakran on the directory, doctor.” Wendy says.
“Oh, I guess you wouldn’t.” The doctor says. ‘Never mind then, when the patient arrives, let me know and I’ll take them to Eakran.”
“If you have his number I’ll be happy to call him down,” Wendy offers, hoping she could finally have a reason to call Maria.
But the doctor says no. “If you don’t have Eakran’s number, you don’t call Eakran. He’s that corner of the basement level that takes government clearance to get into.”
Government clearance, Wendy thought as the doctor left. If Wendy didn’t know this Dr. Eakran, then how was it that Maria knew who he was?
Wendy holds Maria’s number and wonders if it’s a good idea to confirm for Maria that Dr. Eakran even worked at the IBF.
(to be continued)
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