Mark shook Peter’s hand. Without any other words or gestures, Peter turned and walked out of Shifts Lounge.

“Now what?” Henry asked.

“Return to business as usual.”

Mark, Stanley, and Henry sat in silence, each wondering how long it would take for them to be able to return to “business as usual.” While Mark and Henry continued to discuss Peter and how disappointed they were with his behavior, Stanley sat quietly, staring at the half-empty glass of beer in front of him.

“Stan?” Mark asked. “You okay?”

“Fine,” he said. “Lots of stuff running around in my brain right now. Lots of stuff.”

His description of his thoughts was not lost on Mark nor Henry, though Stanley knew that what was filling his mind was not just random “stuff.” It was thoughts of Michelle Pettingall.

At thirty-years old, Stanley was not a stranger to having feelings for a woman, especially one as attractive as Michelle Pettingall. What he wasn’t accustomed to was what to do once an attraction was identified.

Stanley did not lack self-confidence when it came to his skills as a surgeon. Nor did he struggle when an opportunity arrived to share his opinion. But building up courage to approach a woman was a much needed and utterly lacking skill in Stanley’s arsenal of talent.

When he and Peter first arrived at the loading docks of Hilburn, they were met by Jacob Curtis, a short, stocky man, whose arms were intended for a much taller man. The three doctors stood in uncomfortable silence, with only Jacob Curtis’s repeated suggestions that “Doctor Straus should join us any second now.”

When Straus arrived, he ignored feeling the need for any introductions and instead directed the group to follow him up a seldom-used staircase. At the top of the stairs, Straus lead the team left down a very long and very empty hallway to his office.

“Where is everyone?” Peter had asked.

“I work better when not interrupted. I have this hallway to myself, for the most part,” Straus replied.

Once in his office, Stanley was astounded at the climate change. From what he had seen and experienced from his short tour of Hilburn, its dank colors, floors in need of a fresh coat of wax, and an odor that hung thinly but clearly in the air, Straus’s office was what one would expect the office of a CEO of a Fortune 500 would resemble.

A solid, blonde-wood desk was the most eye-catching thing about the office. It was at least six feet long, pristinely clean, and polished with a shine that even the best Marine would envy. The lighting was muted but bright enough to afford anyone a clear view of the office. Works of art, from artists Stanley had never heard of, hung on the wall and were showcased with top-hanging frame lights. The couch was brown leather and matched the three chairs that framed up a sitting area. Books, all with their spines without a crease, adorned the solid oak bookshelves positioned on three of the four walls.

“Gentlemen,” Straus began once he afforded his guests enough time to admire his office, “ welcome to Hilburn.”

To Stanley, he extended his hand, saying “Doctor William Straus.”

“Stanley Mix, and I believe you already know Peter.”

“Indeed I do. Indeed I do.” Straus moved closer to Peter where the two old friends embraced in an awkward hug.

“It is wonderful to see you again, Peter. How are the wife and … kids?”

“Maggie is fine, and no kids. And if my memory serves me, how are Claire and Robert doing?”

“You have me at a disadvantage with your memory. Both are well. Robert turns eight next month, and Claire has, thankfully, retained her good looks and shape.”

The old friends laughed, at what, Stanley could only guess.

“But where are my manners? Stanley, Peter, though I am certain he has introduced himself already, this is Jacob Curtis.”

The doctors shook hands and exchanged the briefest of the obligatory niceties.

“And this,” Straus said as he moved towards the baby held in Stanley’s muscular arms, “this must be our newest patient.”

Unsure of whether Doctor Straus wanted to hold the baby himself, Stanley positioned his body to give Straus and Jacob Curtis a better view.

“Remarkable,” Straus said. “I want to thank you, both of you, for trusting me and my team with this sensitive operation. Be assured, I run a very tight ship around here. A very tight ship. Confidentiality and extreme privacy will be maintained.”

“Where will you keep the baby?” Peter asked.

“I have opened a once-closed and seldom-used ward of my institution to serve as both our private lab and the baby’s room. Should you wish to observe the area, you are most welcome.”

“I think it’s better if we just say our goodbyes and be on our way,” Stanley suggested as he made clear his intentions to hand off the baby to Straus.

“Jacob, please hold the child while I assemble the rest of the team. You don’t mind staying for a bit longer so that I can introduce my team, do you, Stanley?”

“No. Not at all. That would be fine,” he lied back in response.

“Excellent. I’ve already instructed them to meet us here. It is a large institution and Ward C is a bit of a walk. Give them just another few minutes.”

It took Straus’s team at least ten minutes before arriving at Straus’s office. Introductions were made, and Stanley no longer wanted to leave after being introduced to nurse Michelle.

“Doctor Straus,” he started, “maybe we should see your Ward C. We are all a bit concerned, as you know. Seeing what you have in place will go a long way in easing all of our concerns.”

“Wonderful!” Straus said. “But first, and this is not meant to question your abilities or you intentions, allow Doctors Curtis and Lucietta to conduct a quick exam of the baby. Nurse Pettingall,” he said, gesturing to Michelle who was standing a few steps away and behind the group. “Feel free to conduct a good, old-fashioned nurse’s exam, should you feel compelled.”

The sarcasm of Straus’s invitation to Michelle was not lost on Stanley.

“Unbelievable,” Jacob Curtis said as he finished his quick but thorough exam. “I’ll need to have more tests and scans done, but….”

“Doctor Lucietta, if you please?” Straus said, interrupting Jacob Curtis.

Doctor Brian Lucietta could only manage to say, “mysterious” after completing his exam.

“Very well, then,” said Straus. “Off to Ward C. I believe you’ll find that I’ve thought of everything. Almost everything, at least.”