14. Dr. Ogden
It is often said that all good things come to an end. The bads too. Sometimes, you have to grit your teeth, hold on to something not to crack, as it is simply convinced that things will get better one day.
The city hospital refused my application. All my applications. Orphanages, children's hospitals in Toronto and outside of the city, all without exception had not allowed me to be part of their staff.
So I again lost my day walking in the city streets, wondering when we would finally give me the chance to prove what I was capable of.
So I went home on foot stomping, lost in my thoughts. I gave my hat and coat to our housemaid when I heard two voices rising from the living room.
-My father receives someone? I asked the old woman.
- Dr. Hopkins.
-I didn't knew that he was ill.
-I think it is a courtesy Miss.
I frowned. My father often entertained friends for a courtesy visit, but never his personal doctor if he was not suffering. I walked to the door and gave two small strokes. The voice of my father rose from the room and reported that I could enter. I then made gently sending a tender smile to the man that I knew from the time he had treated my mother many years ago.
-Miss Ogden, he said, rising, I am delighted to see you.
-Good morning Doctor, I said politely as he kissed my hand, it is been several years now that we are no longer met indeed.
-Your father told me you were gone in Europe, did you enjoy the trip?
-Yes, a lot, I said, smiling broadly, I have enjoyed getting to know the old continent. Alas, we have to go one day. I also learned that your office was named as one of the most famous of the city.
-Did you doubt that the Doctor was an excellent one? My father says to me.
-Oh, no, excuse me, Doctor, I said, blushing, I did not question your experience.
He gives me a soft smile and I turned to my father before I spoke again.
-I will leave you to speak privately, my regards to your wife Doctor.
-Julia wait, said my father when I was about to leave the room, if Richard is here, it is for a good reason and it concerns you.
I looked at him with incomprehension and beckoned me to sit on a chair next to them. I was performing in silence, he spoke again.
-Richard needs an assistant.
-Today as the medical journal said that I am an honorable Doctor, people rush to my office. And I do not know where to turn. Also, help me would be very valuable. I learned that you were a graduate of Harvard and a record of the University of Toronto is very complimentary to you and your former classmates tell me good things about you Julia.
-Well, I say unprepared, I do not know what to answer.
-It is a great opportunity, leaned my father.
This comment confused me. I did not know if it was once again a trap or if he was really sincere in wanting to help me. But after all, I did not have the luxury to be choosy, nobody wanted me anyway.
I smiled and nodded.
-It is an honor Dr. Hopkins.
-Great, exclaimed him, that is a good thing done. I would enjoy this news with another drink, Andrew.
My father nodded and they drank another glass of scotch while he asked me to tea.
I stayed with them for several minutes, as a courtesy, before going to my bedroom. The book that gave me Louise was lying on my bed, I opened it and play between my fingers taking a dried rose, the last memory I had from Edward. Then I closed the book with a snap few minutes later. I was happy, now my life as a Doctor would begin at last.
I was far from suspecting that the road would be still so long to make my way. I started the following week my work with the friend of my father, my very first place. I spent hours sitting at wooden desk, invaded folder, paper, to phone to the hospital to his external consultations, to take calls from patients, taking notes, writing reports.
Rare were the times when I left the office before the night. Fortunately, I lived a few blocks now from my job. It had been subject to a tough battle with my father to let me live alone, but he had agreed to do. And I rented a small apartment in a quiet neighborhood. He no longer had to endure my returns sometimes very late at night and I was not required to make a report on my every move.
Although the idea of attending tearooms, to walk on Toronto Island and go to the theater I did not mind, was very clear that I do not have time. I spent most of my time in this small room, working hard even on days when the office was closed to finish my work that seemed to accumulate again and again.
I do not have time to complain, I was working, just not noticing that the days, weeks and months passed.
It's been a year that I was to be the assistant of Dr. Hopkins and I had not dealt with a single case. One morning, however, things changed. Finally.
I gave the last posts the Doctor as he entered his office.
-Something is wrong sir? I asked shyly.
-You have no idea Julia, I have to attend an autopsy this morning. A murder has been committed and Dr. Gram has decided to retire and chose me to succeed. I do not have any intention of becoming a coroner, you see.
-You will only have to reject the proposal, a famous Doctor as you should be able to choose what he want to do.
-But the police station number four can not dispense medical examiner.
I did not answer and felt his eyes on me insistently ask before he spoke again.
-Julia, I know you are here for a year now and I feel that you no longer feel for you.
-Do you dismiss me? I said, frowning.
-I asked you to be my assistant regarding my friendship for your father.
-I knew it, I sighed.
-But I think your place is not here.
-Well, I would treat my own case, but it appears that the city is still not inclined to let a woman become a Doctor.
-And forensics, have you thought about this?
-Doctor, I doubt ...
-Go to the autopsy, see if the position is right for you and if that is I would support your application. If it does not, we will do as if this discussion had never taken place.
I did not answer. I knew that he was manipulating me again, he took me for a little scatterbrained who knew nothing about medicine. But after all, I had decided to play too. I could not stand this place, a little change would be good, and at least, the dead do not judge me.
-Alright I said, smiling broadly, I would be happy to take that position. Criminal investigations have always fascinated me.
He smiled in turn and after a few formalities, he gave me the address of the morgue and wished me good luck.
I was surprised that I went with a light heart. After all, I was finally able to use my knowledge to change things, solve mysteries, bring the murderers to the gallows. At that moment I felt very powerful, as if I could change the world. I will continue to report, but this time, my name is written at the bottom of the page and not that of a respectable man who had not thrown a single glance.
I was finally going to become Dr. Ogden, Dr. Julia Ogden, a woman in a man's world. I was going to make me respect, I would still be subject to ridicule, but I was going to achieve my dream, to change things and I was happy.
You would not know how things can unfold in our favor. What we did not think for a second, turns out to be our new passion. And for every passion people are there to give us a taste of going further.
to be continued ...