#derek will serve as a very... interesting wake-up call >w>;

[tenacquity]

Truthfully, there are about a million things Ryunosuke’s attempting to puzzle out right now. Whether or not he believes the young man is at the farthest end of this dark tunnel he feels he’s stumbling through blind, and additionally… Well, he’s not quite sure he likes the look in the stranger’s eyes.

“Stranger” is a bit of an odd term after all he’s told me. Are we acquaintances now?

In several instances, he’s almost raised his hand in a silent plea to interject. If even nothing more than to beg the man to slow down so he has a better chance of grasping the details. Sure, Ryunosuke knows personally how panicked one feels to be in a position like this, but the way Goffard rambles on, he can’t help but wonder if he simply enjoys the sound of his own voice. Maybe it’s both. Though the typical panic is somewhat different here…

He seems more agitated by the accusations than truly fearful of the consequences. (Can money buy everything including dumb bravery?)

Ryunosuke attempts to catch up by the time there’s an eventual spot of silence, but all too impatiently has his potential client made a show of leaving before he’s gotten a word in edgewise. Impulsively, the (admittedly inexperienced) lawyer gets to his feet, digs up enough of a voice to squeak, “Hold on just a moment!” Someone smarter might have just let this go, surely? Found their work elsewhere, but despite all the troubling feelings, Ryunosuke also just so happened to notice—

He must be used to this. Goffard, that is. He must be used to people not believing him. That defensiveness without Ryunosuke having to even breathe a syllable…

So, what if he offered him even a chance?

“I— Sorry. I suppose I’m still trying to wrap my head around a few details.” And wipe clean the details I wish I could forget. “But my answer isn’t ‘no.’ I’d just rather not commit to a ‘yes’ until I’m confident I’m the right lawyer for you.” He bites his tongue before letting slip the sentiment, —or anyone, for that matter. 

And then, under the hope that the man won’t yet step out the door, Ryunosuke sinks back into his seat, lips pursed in thought. The Chief Justice had been particularly adamant that he take this case… though even now, he’s entirely unsure why. Because Goffard’s a foreigner like him? His hands shuffle through a messy stack of papers on his desk (What even are these?), and he peers up at the man again.

“I want to be fair and straightforward with you, Mr. Goffard: I’m still familiarizing myself with the laws here, and I’ve no doubt you could find someone far more experienced,” he admits after a steadying breath. “But you’ve shown your willingness to trust me, nevertheless. And I might like to return the favor.”

@tenacquity.'s not in it for the money.

"What's the problem? Don't you believe me...?"

That look on his face seriously pisses him off.

Derek's said so before, and he'll say it again: he's innocent.

So maybe he got a bit carried away a few nights prior... Enjoyed himself a little too much, and now, he's somehow gotten roped into another lawsuit involving property damage, among other things. That doesn't mean he actually did anything wrong! ... Not this time. Even if he IS guilty; well, he's got the funds to shut just about anyone up.

Nothing to lose sleep over.

All the boring, legal matters nonetheless have to be taken care of, which is why he's seeking this man's help in the first place. He should consider himself lucky that a Goffard's chosen him; clearly well - off, ready to flash his cash and wipe his hands clean of the mess he's created. And yet, he has the audacity to stare back with the stupidest look on his face after he's gone through all the trouble of explaining his case.

— In full detail, no less.

Always one to act defensively, he doesn't bother to take into consideration that maybe the poor guy's lost for words. Instead, he rolls his eyes, a click of his tongue following.

"Fine, whatever. I'll find someone else to take my case... You lawyers are a dime a dozen anyways." Though his lips are firmly pressed in a pout, arms folded against his chest, his overall body language akin to that of a stubborn child who thinks acting insufferably uncooperative will get him exactly what he wants (and it usually does!) — the prolonged sideways glance he first spares Ryunosuke before turning towards the door suggests he's not at all opposed to still giving him a chance. And since Derek's such a nice guy, he even lingers there a few moments longer than need be... quietly waiting to see what it is the little lawyer decides to say.

The ball's in his court now.

[the-record-newspaper]

Dr. Pinkerton honored at Love Light Tree Ceremony at hospital

Shown above are Doreen, Jerry, Randi Lynn and Joshua Pinkerton at Sunday evenings’ Love Light Tree ceremony at Wake Forest Baptist Health Wilkes Medical Center. Record photo by Ken Welborn.

From Staff Reports

Dr. Jerry “Joe” Pinkerton, Jr., was honored by the Wilkes Medical Center Auxiliary during the annual Love Light Tree ceremony held at Wake Forest Baptist Health Wilkes Medical Center on Sunday evening.

He was honored for his 27 years of service to the community and the hospital.

“Dr. Pinkerton is a kind and compassionate person who is so beloved by the staff and all his patients,” said Auxiliary Board member and past President Deborah Sullivan.

After being announced as this year’s honoree, Pinkerton complimented the hospital and all levels of the staff and employees there and the members of the hospital auxiliary. He said he was thankful for the hospital for allowing him to live his dream, which is practicing medicine in a small town.

During her introduction of Pinkerton, Sullivan said, “This year’s honoree has wanted to be a doctor since he was a little boy. He was a very good student and well spoken, but his handwriting was ‘messy.’ Even his teachers used to tell him that one day he would become a doctor.”

She added, “Our honoree received his bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from California Baptist College in Riverside. He earned his medical degree Oral Roberts University School of Medicine in Tulsa, Oklahoma specializing in internal medicine and pediatrics. He completed his residency at Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown, New Jersey, where he also served as chief resident. It was during his at ORU that a lovely young nursing student from Long Island caught his eye.”

She was speaking of his wife, Doreen, a well-known local musician.

The Pinkertons moved here in 1993. “They decided to give Wilkes a look,” Sullivan said. “They liked what they saw and felt like it would be a wonderful place to raise their family. It would also help fulfill his dream of being a small-town doctor.”

In Wilkes, Dr. Pinkerton began working at The Department of Rural Health as a primary care provider for adult/pediatric medicine at West Wilkes Medical Center. He later joined with Dr. Joel Swofford at Medical Associates of Wilkes, which is now Novant Health.

In 2001, Dr. Pinkerton, who is know to most as “Dr. Joe,” decided to establish his own private practice in West Park. In 2011, his practice joined Wilkes Regional Medical Center Physicians Network. In January of 2015, Dr. Pinkerton became the Chief of Medicines for Wilkes Regional Medical Center and still served in that capacity.

When WRMC became part of Wake Forest Baptist Health, Dr. Pinkerton decided to become a full time hospitalist. The following January, he accepted the position of assistant director of hospital medicine at the hospital.

Dr. Pinkerton and his wife, Doreen, have four children: Dr. Derek Pinkerton, Elisa, an occupational therapist, Joshua, a seminary student, and Randi Lynn, an English major at Appalachian State University.

Sullivan closed with words written by Dr. Pinkerton’s daughter, Elisa: “My favorite memories  involve sitting outside patient rooms while he rounded on Saturday mornings, and riding in the passenger seat as we trekked through snowstorms to make home visits. He sings at the top of his lungs early in the morning, drives three hours to change your tire (or 20 hours to drop you off at a camp so you don’t have to ‘worry about turnpike traffic or toll booths),’ blows up glove balloons for kids all over the world, has song lyrics for every situation, and is unafraid to stand up for what and who he believes in. He taught us to love learning, listening and traveling, but most of all, he taught us to love others without pretense.”

After accepting the honor, Dr. Pinkerton lit the Love Light Tree atop the hospital.

Special music was provided by Grace Kingdom Choir, with Director Rodney Graham. The welcome was given by Deborah Sullivan, a past president and member of the hospital’s Auxiliary Board, who also dedicated the tree. The invocation and closing prayer was by Reba Graham of Wake Forest Baptist Health Wilkes Medical Center. Comments were by Susan Bachmeier, chief nursing officer.

The ceremony was followed by a reception.

The Love Light tree has around 20,000 lights, which are sold as a fundraiser for the WMC Auxiliary. One light is $5, lights for a husband and wife are $10, lights in the star are $25 each, and lights at the star points are $100 each. For more information about purchasing a light, call 336-651-8162.

Each year the auxiliary picks someone to honor during the event. But that’s a secret until the night of the ceremony.

Past recipients include: John Wesley Bryan, Jr.; Norma Stevenson Hubbard; Dr. William Lumsden Bundy; Ruth Long Graham, RN; Hugh Durant Stetler; DeLoris Porter; Alvin A. Sturdivant, Jr.; Fred J. Schilling, III; Russell G. Pearson; Louis M. Kinney and Annette Kinney; the hospital Maintenance Department; the hospital Dietary Department; Steve Critz; The David Henson Family; Dr. Jack Dawson; Dr. T.R. Bryan, Jr.; Mark Cullison; Sieglinde Duncan, RN; Dr. Duane H. Smith; Barbara Willens; Betty Shelton; Debbie Ferguson; Heather Murphy, Paul Hugger, Dr. John Bond, Arnold Lakey, Dr. John Bennett, the Surgical Nurses staff, Dr. Dariel L. Rathmell, WRMC CEO Gene Faile; Dr. Joe Fesperman and his wife, Sarah, John and Barbara Overby; Violet Francis, and Dr. Jon W. Thompson

In August of 1951, the Auxiliary of Wilkes General Hospital was organized. Their first duty was to escort more than 4,000 visitors through the new hospital.

The auxiliary has over 250 members and assists in buying needed equipment, hosts an annual tea for employees and doctors, and helps with landscaping areas around the hospital entrances. Auxiliary volunteers also assist in many departments such as the pharmacy, the admitting office, maintain a gift shop and the information desk in the main lobby.

Since 1958, the Auxiliary has honored Dr. Fred C. Hubbard by offering a scholarship to worthy students who are interested in entering the nursing field.