I was still stewing as I clocked in. I knew they weren't wrong… but… why would Larry go out of his way to set me up? It's not like this was some period drama with infighting for position in court or something. Everyone was always complaining about needing more staff. Larry even had me add the note that he told me to make it…
Besides… its not like he was changing a prescription or something that affected the medical parts. It was just a note about a call request.
"Hey Max, you're on confirmation calls again, four providers in primary, one for walk in about blood draws. If you have questions just pop over." One of the girls explained handing me seven sheets of paper. There was a sticky note with my name on it.
"Thanks… Susan?" I asked trying to match faces to names without reading badges. I was getting there… kinda.
"Yep! Donna isn't in today, swapped shifts. So any questions you can find me, or anyone really." Susan said with a smile before returning to her desk.
"Thanks." I called as I shrugged out of my backpack. I desperately needed to pick up a water bottle, and travel mug… this only having vending machine coffee was killing me. Caffeine yes, tasty? Not at all. It wasn't cold either, just lurk warm… and since it was in a can I couldn't warm it up.
I was half way through my first provider when I felt Larry coming. I don't know how I knew, but I did. I glanced over my shoulder as he stalked forward with a triumphant grin. I shivered… something about him just made me… I wasn't even sure. I wasn't exactly scared… but I didn't want to say no either… was there a gentle coercion?
"Morning Max." Larry greeted with an exaggerated look around my workstation.
"Where's your pride?" Larry asked raising a brow as his grin became… toothy.
I swallowed, "Uh, around, I'm sure. Anything.., anything I can do for you?" I asked trying not to hunch in on myself. Something about him looming over me… well he was a giant…
"My boundary check." Larry announced as he tossed another note pad on my desk.
I glanced… this time… there were instructions to change pharmacy of a prescription. I swallowed… this was definitely… out of my job responsibilities. I reached for the note, hands shaking. There were even flow chart instructions on exactly how to remove the previous pharmacy…
"Uh, I um, this… isn't…" I flinched as his hand reached past me to flip to the patients information.
My heart was pounding in my chest, hands clammy, I… could be fired for this.
"Weak."
I flinched… no one was within hearing distance…
"Max, don't let him bully you into this. Head up." Mai ordered.
I jumped, the fox doll was laying under the double monitors. When… when did she get here?
"Max, focus on us. Take a deep breath." Pride reassured standing between me and Larry. Not that anyone else could see him. Still, Larry's looming figure was mostly out of sight.
"We're here for you Max. Head up." Mai whispered, "Don't let anyone bully you into doing something."
I took a deep breath and held it. Slowly straightened in my chair. My hands had crumbled the edges of the note pad.
"Weak." Larry's voice wasn't loud, it wasn't even condescending. He was just stating a fact.
I let the breath out as I turned enough to hold the notepad out to Larry. Thankfully, Pride moved just enough for the notepad to pass under his arm. "I'm… I'm not medical." I stated ignoring my shaking, sweaty hands.
I couldn't see Larry's expression, but I felt the pressure increase.
"Max, even if you can't look him in the eye, look at the bridge of his nose. You're in the right." Pride reminded without turning his head.
I bit the inside of my cheek, slowly raising my gaze. Larry wasn't grinning anymore. I forced myself to keep raising my vision… I tried to not look him in the eye, but… his narrowed eyes were practically slits.
I flinched, dropping my gaze.
"Weak." This time, there was obvious disdain in Larry's voice.
"Slow is steady Max, steady is poised, poised is controlled. Max, you are in control." Pride's voice was like a fortress, isolating him from Larry's compulsion.
I wasn't able to raise my gaze to the bridge of Larry's nose, it was just too close to his eyes. So I settled for just above his lips.
"This needs… to be done by medical staff. I can't help you." I stated firmly.