Chapter 27
Elina
Sitting at the small dining table in my cabin, I turn on the front camera of my laptop and smile at myself. In the background, you can see the wooden wall paneling and even a part of the old-fashioned floral curtain.
The senior physician from Vienna's Herzogen Hospital, with whom I will have a job interview in a few minutes, an interview that could change my life forever, will think I'm in the middle of nowhere.
This won't do. I quickly push myself up and walk into the bedroom. I need a sheet that I can hang up behind me. A neutral white background will make me look somewhat professional in my chic blazer. With the sheet in hand, I return to the living room, but unfortunately, I can't find a way to attach it to the wall.
"Think, Elina," I say, looking around for a solution. "You only have ten minutes left." I should already be waiting for Dr. Hafner in the appointment, not standing here like a dumb deer in headlights.
The clothes rack! I hang the sheet on it and sit down on the floor. I place the laptop on the coffee table. This should work. I quickly arrange everything, and when I check the camera image, I can smile in satisfaction.
"Perfect." I adjust my collar one last time and check the position of my pearl necklace. I have tied my hair into a low ponytail, and even though I don't see anyflaws in my hairstyle, I run my hand over my head for good measure.
Of course, it's precisely at this moment that my phone rings. It's my mother, and I have to answer it. Maybe it's urgent.
"I just wanted to let you know that Aaron is finally making progress," she says cheerfully after a brief greeting.
Despite my tension, this news brings a smile to my lips. "That's wonderful!"
"He's such an amazing boy. He's been clean for three days now." The pride in her voice is unmistakable.
I lower my eyelids. "He is," I confirm even though I would love to say something different. Like how amazing I am, for example. Or how I wish for her to be equally proud of me one day.
I've been holding back these words my whole life. It's time I finally say them. "Listen..."
"I'm sorry, but I have to go. Aaron urgently needs fresh T-shirts for his new life," my mother chatters busily.
"I'm sure he does. But I need something too," I reply, surprising myself.
"Can it wait?" she urgently pleads. "We'll talk in detail soon, okay?" she adds when I don't respond immediately.
"Sure," I say meekly, realizing that now is not the right moment. After all, my job interview is also waiting. "Take care. It was nice talking to you."
With a suppressed sigh, I hang up. Then I loosen up my body, take a deep breath, and force a smile on my face. Finally, I press the call button to join the video call. It'stwo minutes before six o’clock. I'm perfectly on time. Yet I only have time for a brief clearing of my throat before the man who will decide my future as a doctor appears on the screen.
Receding hairline. Shoulder-length white hair on the sides. Laugh lines. A doctor's coat.
He seems sympathetic. Thank goodness.
"Ms. Gross. It's nice that it worked out." He smiles kindly.
To be on the safe side, I straighten my back. After all, I'm sitting cross-legged on the floor, and I don't want him to notice. "I'm very excited. Thank you for the invitation."
"Your application for the neurology specialist position caught our attention," he continues professionally. I spot documents in his hands at the bottom of the screen. "Tell me a little about yourself."
In the past six months, I've had dozens of job interviews. I should be experienced by now, but I feel like I'm doing this for the first time today. I try to speak slowly and confidently. Gradually, I talk about my career path and share the honors I received during my studies, including obtaining my doctorate sub auspiciis, after consistently receiving top grades throughout high school and college. Hardly anyone achieves it, but I did. Back then, there was even a television feature about me, but it couldn't distract my parents from their sorrow.
His approving nod now sends me soaring. Filled with enthusiasm, I outline what I experienced during the summer I spent with Doctors Without Borders.
"At the present moment, I am completing the final part of my internship in general medicine," I concludemy statement. I omit the reasons for my transfer from Vienna to Tyrol within my training.
And I pray he won't probe further.
His gaze fixed on the documents, he clears his throat. "May I ask a question," he begins cautiously, causing everything inside me to tense up. I nod and force a smile. What else can I do?
"Your résumé is..." He looks up at and studies me for a moment. "Impressive." His approving expression is genuine.
