How Much I Feel - Marie Force Page 0,29
says that. “Touché.”
“Stay in your lane, Doc. I gotcha covered on the rest.”
I’m so thankful to have her on my side. She gives me hope that it may be actually possible to repair my tattered reputation.
“We have to tell your story as a world-class physician. You’re far more than one measly scandal.”
“The scandal wasn’t measly.”
“No, but it’s yesterday’s news. I did a deep dive online last night, and there’s been no mention of it anywhere in more than a week. While it’s the biggest thing in your life, everyone else has moved on. Well, except for the Miami-Dade board, that is. But by the time we’re done with them, they’ll be so inundated with the positive they won’t remember the measly little scandal in New York. That’s the plan, anyway.”
“I like that plan.”
“I figured you would.”
“When did you have time last night to do a deep dive online between dinner and your second trip to jail?”
She grimaces at the mention of jail. “I did it before we went to dinner, but I didn’t mention it because I was still formulating my plan of attack.”
“Well, it’s good to know it’s not big news in New York anymore.”
“You can thank the twenty-four-hour news cycle for that. It moves on faster than it used to.”
I’m unreasonably relieved to hear the scandal isn’t headline news anymore, but the damage is certainly done. I hate that for the rest of my life—and beyond—anytime someone searches for my name, the crap with Ginger will come up.
Deb returns to where we’re waiting for her in the condo. “We’re in luck. I was able to line up a showing in Brickell. I’ll text you the address. Shall we meet there in an hour?”
I glance at Carmen, and she nods. “We’ll be there,” I tell Deb.
“Great.”
We walk out together, and when we get to my car, I hold the passenger door for Carmen, who winces when her backside connects with hot leather. As I get in the car, my phone chimes with a text from Terri. Hey, it’s good to hear from you. Everyone is still wound up about what they did to you. Hope things are working out for you in Miami. We sure do miss you here! I’ll definitely reach out to the patients you mentioned and see what we can do. This whole thing is utter BULLSHIT, and the entire department is pissed about how you were treated. How can YOU be scrambling to find another job?!?!
I read and reread Terri’s text, soaking in words that are like a balm on my broken heart, before passing the phone to Carmen. “From my former colleague.”
She quickly reads Terri’s message. “That must be nice to hear.”
“It is. I always worked hard, respected my colleagues, filled in for them when needed and treated the nurses like the superheroes they are.”
“Let’s get statements from Terri and the others in your former department.”
“For what?”
“For the PowerPoint presentation we’re going to put together for your next meeting with the board.”
“I’m not sure how I feel about asking my former colleagues to do that.”
“You want to fix this, right?”
“Very much so.”
“Then you’re going to have to do some things that may not sit well with you, such as getting testimonials from former colleagues and publicity for pro bono work at the clinic, if we can make that happen.”
I grimace at the thought of generating attention for volunteer work. Under normal circumstances, I’d never go for that. But these circumstances certainly aren’t normal. “Fine. I’ll ask her.” I respond to Terri’s text. Thanks for the help. Much appreciated. My associate down here is telling me it wouldn’t hurt to have some endorsements from the people I worked with there. Do you think they’d be willing to provide them?
I’m pained as I send a text that would’ve been inconceivable a few weeks ago. It still amazes me that a life and a career can be blown apart in a single day.
Terri responds right away, putting me out of my misery. Absolutely. I’ll get on that, too. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered, Doc.
I breathe a sigh of relief. Thank you. Means a lot to me.
She sends back the smooching emoji.
“She’s on it,” I tell Carmen.
“That’s great. I know it sucks to have to ask, but anything we can do to paint a complete picture will help. Right now, all they see is scandal. We have to give them a different narrative.”
“You told me yesterday I need a seasoned crisis communication team. I’d say I have