A collective gasp rippled through the waiting room. The whispers turned into murmurs of astonishment and embarrassment. The people who had laughed or dismissed her earlier now looked at her with newfound respect and admiration.
Eleanor continued, “I spent many years here, saving lives and teaching young surgeons. I’m here today to consult on a particularly challenging case, one that requires a bit of my old expertise.”
The young nurse who had approached her earlier blushed, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. “I’m so sorry, Dr. Thompkins,” she stammered, clearly flustered. “I had no idea.”
