Before I could respond, Milton West stepped forward, placing himself between us. His expression darkened with irritation as he interjected, “She’s still young, and she’s scared. She’s not feeling well. You don’t need to be so harsh.”
But noticing the look on my face, he softened his tone a little. “Anyway, good thing you're here. Laura really doesn’t want a male doctor. Can you just help her with the removal first? I’ll explain everything later.”
I drew in a deep breath, trying to keep it together. My colleagues were watching. I didn’t want them to see me break.
“In the eyes of a doctor, there’s no gender. All our ER staff are professionals—”
Milton didn’t let me finish. He cut me off, brows furrowed in frustration.
“Can you not make a scene right now? She’s in pain. Can’t you be more considerate?”
The tension was thick enough to cut with a scalpel, so one of the other doctors quickly tried to mediate.
“It’s just a simple hysteroscopy. Should I call one of the other OB/GYNs on duty?”
Milton looked like he was about to say something. But then Laura let out a carefully timed groan of pain, making his face instantly change and say, “No. Let Elaine do it. Laura can’t wait much longer.”