Leave of Absence

By Richard Breidenbach

Anna worked hard to reach her status and career, but when her life is turned upside down she returns to her home town and her mother's house. There Anna meets old friends, drinks terrible beer, and local firefighter, Zachary.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard Breidenbach
• Release date: Apr 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463492437

Book preview

Leave of Absence

Richard Breidenbach

Smashwords Edition

Copyright© 2019, Richard Breidenbach

Anna yawned as she pulled her black Mercedes-Benz into her parking space outside the hospital, her breath momentarily fogging up a small section of her windshield on that cold Monday morning. She shivered as she stepped out of her car, the gentle breeze easily piercing her office ready outfit, graphite colored slacks and a deep navy button up blouse, all of which was offset by her long pale blonde hair, and the white smock she was now pulling around herself in an attempt to keep out the cold.

Heels clacked across the asphalt as she made her way into the office building, a bright sign reading ‘Marigold Medical’ illuminating her way. The eggshell white stucco of the outside of the building left it looking nondescript, replaceable with any other office building that had been built in the nineties. A faded outline of an older sign, on the automatic doors that she passed on her way in, only added to the impermanent aura of the building that currently housed her office.

Anna could feel her ears burning as she strode down the hallway, the heater loudly grumbling its usual welcome. It went unnoticed; her mind had already turned towards the mountain of paperwork she knew was waiting on her desk. The hospital had promoted Anna to head of surgery three years ago, and she was the youngest person to have taken this position at just thirty-one years old.

The elevator doors opened. Anna was surprised to see Karen, her secretary, standing inside; her red blouse, black knee length skirt, and wild, curly hair all perfectly complimented the look of immense anxiety on her face.

Oh, Anna! I was hoping you would get in at your usual time, wanted to catch you before you got up there.

What's the matter, Karen?

Karen looked both ways down the hallway before pressing the 15th floor button, followed by rapidly pressing the ‘close door’ button.

Both Carson and Dale are in our office waiting for you to come in this morning. Karen said quietly as the elevator doors shut.

What do they want?

I have no idea, they said they couldn't discuss it with me until they had done so with you, and then insisted they both speak to you in person.

Oh, well, thank you for the heads-up.

The heads of public relations and human resources wanted to speak with her in person, which sent Anna’s mind racing. Reasons of all kinds entered her mind; budget cuts, new safety policies, just making sure she actually shows up for someone’s retirement party for once. The sound of the elevator doors opening snapped her back to reality. Sunbeams from the office windows flooding the dim elevator, causing Anna to squint momentarily before the waiting room came fully into her view.

Dr. Kershaw, I trust you had a good New Year's? A man's voice asked before she had time to even step out of the elevator.

Yes Dale, thank you, yourself? she replied, stepping into the chair-lined room, extending her free hand in a greeting to the older of the two well-dressed men.

Wonderful, do you mind if the three of us talk privately for a moment? he replied, gesturing towards the other man and then towards her personal office.

Yes, yes, of course, she said, anxiously, leading the two men into her office.

Anna sat down at her desk, her inbox just as full of paperwork as she had anticipated this morning, while the rest of the desk was ordered neatly, a mild source of pride for Anna. The two men sat down across from her, her medical degree hanging between them on the back wall.

Doctor Kershaw, started Carson, who looked like he was fresh out of university, We came here today to let you know of a situation that has developed regarding one of the surgeons that works under you.

There was an alleged medical malpractice that resulted in a death a few months ago, and a certain advocacy group believes that this was a wrongful death due to negligence on behalf of the surgeon, Dale explained.

This group has already filed movements against the surgeon and the hospital but... Carson said, trailing off and looking to the older gentleman for help.

Anna looked back and forth between the two men seeing them exchange glances;

But? she inquired.

Dale let out a long sigh and rubbed the bridge of his nose before replying, But they've also asked that the board remove you from the position of head of surgery because of your, quote, inability to oversee your own surgeons and prevent their negligence.

Anna could feel herself sitting frozen in her chair, her eyes unblinking, mind slowly working over the information she had just been presented. She had expected an attempt to file for malpractice from the family of the deceased, it was common