Chapter 1
A sharp knock on our thin wooden door "Dr. Caldwell... Dr. Caldwell...", the nurse's voice sliced through the darkness, echoing through our tight crammed quarters. I jerked awake as my roommate, Dr. Sanvi groaned and hurled her pillow right at my face.
Before I could curse her back, I heard my name being called out again, only sharper this time. Hurriedly, I move towards the door gently removing the sleep from my eyes. Glancing at the clock on the pealing wall, which showed it was 2:05 in the morning. I wondered what urgency ensued to wake me up at this ungodly hour. As soon as I unlatch the door, the nurse leans in , breathless and eyes wide,
"There is a call for you. London Office. "
That was enough to jolt the last sleep out of me. I shut the door behind me and hurry across the compound towards the base medical camp office. The night was thick and unforgiving, heavy with humid heat that clung to this part of Liberia roughly 40 kms from the capital city of Monrovia.
I still couldn't understand why the higher ups would pick this particular hour to call. The old landline sat at the edge of the desk, the green color almost faded into a softer greyish hue. I picked up the receiver and cleared my throat,
"Hi, this is Dr. Genevieve Caldwell".
A man with a hourse voice and thick British accent spoke almost immediately,
"Dr. John McArthur speaking, Deputy Medical Director, MSF London."
My eyes grew wider and my posture tensed instinctively.
"We are assembling a rapid-response think tank for emergency neonatal and pediatric care in low resource setting", he continued.
"Your work with the Médecins Sans Frontières in this field has been exceptional thus far. We would like for you to join the team here in London for a month".
My breath caught.
"Your travel arrangements have been made", he added. "You will need to leave in an hour. In the interim we have arranged for your replacement on ground. The field team here would brief you once you arrive."
I swallowed, the excitement resonating through my voice, "Sure, I'll see you soon Dr. McArthur".
This is good, Better than good. Almost glistening with excitement. I hurried towards my shared quarters. I packed quietly and quickly, gathering the few belongings that I owned, being careful not to wake Dr. Sanvi, who was snoring softly, blissfully unaware of the shift in my world.
