"Shawn," Dr. Ray sighed, adjusting his glasses. "Your hand isn't ready for major surgery yet. I can't let you participate this time. Keep practicing and aim for the next medical conference, okay?" Shawn had expected this. He nodded, though his movement was stiff. His hand was healing, but still in recovery. It'd be at least three months before he could operate again.
Seeing Shawn's dejection, Dr. Ray felt a pang of sympathy. Shawn was his star student, the one he hoped would represent the country. He knew how hard Shawn had been preparing for the conference, only to be sidelined by an untimely injury.
Dr. Ray was about to offer more words of comfort when Flora, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. "When is the medical conference?" Dr. Ray was momentarily taken aback. So, you're a med student and you don't even know when the conference is? Recalling Flora's usual disinterest in competitions, he felt a twinge of irritation. "In two months," he replied tersely.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Oh." Flora nodded. "Then give Shawn a registration form. He can participate." Both Shawn and Dr. Ray turned sharply to look at her.
"Flora, what do you mean?" Dr. Ray asked, swallowing hard.
Shawn's heart began to race.
"His hand will be fully healed in a month. No problem operating." Flora's voice was relaxed but firm, like a stone dropping heavily onto Dr. Ray and Shawn's chests. A month? No problem with surgery? Shawn had consulted numerous doctors to speed up his recovery. Dr.
Ray had even sought advice from Mr. Tanner, a rehabilitation specialist, who insisted it would take three months.
But Flora, after just one glance, said a month was enough! "Great! That's great!" Dr. Ray exclaimed, repeating himself in his excitement. If Flora said Shawn could go, then he was sure he could.
If only he'd asked Flora sooner. Who knew she had such expertise in post-op recovery? Shawn's hand trembled at his side. Though he tried to appear indifferent, he couldn't hide his relief. Missing the conference would mean waiting another two years. "Flora, thank you," he said, his eyes slightly moist.
Flora waved lazily, like a boss dismissing a meeting. "Dr. Ray, can I go now?"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Just a moment. I'll print out smaterials for you two. Make sure to m go through them in the next few Ough them in days. Dr. Ray's voice trailed off as he glanced at Flora. Right, she didn't need study materials.
"Alright, alright, you can go," he said, dismissing her. No point in giving her the materials. She wouldn'flook at them, and if she did, she might find errors. How embarrassing would that be? Better to save the printing cost.
Unaware of Dr. Ray's thoughts, Flora left as instructed.
The office was now just Dr. Ray and Shawn. Dr. Ray's expression grew stern. Unlike Flora, Shawn wasn't a prodigy.