like we have an agreement.”
“I’m pleased to hear that, Marsh. I truly believe that the addition of Wallington Vein and Laser to the Center will be a win-win for all concerned.”
“What’s next?”
“Well, if you will fax me copies of your contracts with Dr. Lassinger, I’ll attach them to your application, add my recommendation, and present everything in person to Dr. Hazleton, the chairman of the New Business Committee. If everything goes well, I should have some idea of how he’s leaning before I leave the meeting. Have no concerns, Marsh, I’m one hundred percent behind your application.” Peter stopped for a minute to make a mental calculation. “As best I see it, I should have an answer for you by tomorrow afternoon.”
“That sounds good to me.” He stood up and extended his hand. “Peter, I thank you for your diligence on this. I believe that our joining your group will be a real win-win for everyone. You should receive the faxes no later than two this afternoon. I’ll look forward to your call.”
Chapter 16
When it comes to human development, some experts say that of all the factors that shape a personality (genes, parents, peers, and siblings) siblings have the greatest influence. A contrary group of scholars says that the familial situation regarding siblings has no bearing on whom or what a person ultimately evolves into.
Richard Symington is characteristic of the first school of thought. As the firstborn child of Ron and Marilyn Symington, he would be expected to have a slightly higher IQ and achieve greater success than his younger siblings. In both these areas Richard was spot-on; a reality that he never ceased to rub in the faces of his younger brother and sister during their formative years together.
Notwithstanding his aforementioned eventual decision to follow his father’s career as an OB/GYN, Richard nonetheless exhibited a high degree of independence. As he grew up, he tried to mimic his father’s mannerisms, even his speech style, but he soon found out that all that earned him was the ridicule of his peers. He finally came to the realization he was not his father and any attempt to emulate him was an exercise in futility.
His first three deliveries, two boys and one girl, occurred during a busy night during his second month at Wallington General Hospital. A staff OB/GYN assisted, but let the beginner do most of the work. There was no time for bedside manner or soothing talk. All he needed to say was “push, Adrian,” next time, “push Ginny,” and finally “push Maya.” After that he didn’t get the opportunity until a month later. That was his first cesarean and his first case of the jitters. He watched the staff doctor perform the cesarean and assisted by sewing the patient up. Now, years later, he had twelve C-sections under his belt, almost all planned.
***
Richard did have one major fault. He liked to gamble. The gambling bug bit Richard hard when he became a staff OB/GYN at Wallington General. Once he decided to be his own man, Richard began to relax and socialized more with his fellow interns. He started to play poker and discovered he had a proclivity to games of chance. Games cropped up and broke up with the tempo of activity in the Emergency Room. The significant salary bump provided a large amount of disposable income. Temptation came easy. The pressure of the job and the desire to outperform his father pushed him into high stakes games held at rotating sites in undesirable locations in town. There was no fear of being raided since the game was often attended by the assistant Chief of Police and the town’s Assembly leader.
There was more for Richard to fear than being arrested for gambling and that was the shady reputation of the people sponsoring the game. Occasionally a regular stopped coming and would be seen later with an arm or a leg in a cast. This reality was not lost on Richard, but the bug
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