I'd been working at Granville Sports Clinic for several months now and this was the first time all of the doctors had been together in one room. The "Boss" had made some announcements about morale and work ethics, blah blah blah.

But I have to admit to myself, this was an astounding clinic to work at. I saw people I only knew from books and magazine articles. One physician who was sitting in the same row as me had been written up and appeared on various talk shows -- a very famous crowd. And I was a part of it.

It felt great, I couldn't deny it, to be included in this group.

*****

Of course, none of us had a wonderful time during the 90 minutes Granville berated

us-- his Doctoral Staff-- for not being a more cohesive group.

"I want this clinic to represent everything that's right about Los Angeles, everything that's right about California, everything that's right about America. I want good family values addressed and adhered to. I want each and every one of my doctors to hold up to the standard of good, healthy living..."

"Jesus Christ, is he at it again?" His daughter Rebecca sat down next to me, her eyes rolling. I couldn't stop laughing.

"I have this speech memorized from every night at the dinner table, Eric. I could repeat it verbatim-- but I don't need to-- you'll hear it all," she whispered. I was relieved to have someone to talk to.

"But you're late," I teased her. "You'll go down a letter grade, Rebecca."

"I've got his letter grade: F for fuck off." I looked at her, my eyes wide in shock. She laughed. "Eric, hold on to your hat -- you haven't heard the rest." She became quiet, returning our attention to her father.

"And that's why you'll all be happy to know," Dr. Granville stated. "I'm treating the entire Doctoral staff of Granville Sports Medicine to the MacArthur James Stevens Re-Election Dinner."

Everyone but Rebecca and I applauded.

"I expect you all to come. If you have a conflict, rearrange your schedules because the seats are a thousand bucks a pop. I hope you'll bring a date, your wives, or your husbands. But I expect to see all of you there. Consider it just another bonus from the Clinic."

I despised MacArthur James Stevens! He was a homophobic, bible-thumping conservative who preached only hate.

Rebecca read my mind: "Should we get a gun and blow Dad's head off now or wait till the dinner?"

Thank God for Rebecca. Thank God I had someone to depend on. We got up to go back to our offices when she gently took my hand.

"Eric, I know how you must feel about this. I hope it doesn't cause a problem between you and I. I am embarrassed about his politics, too, but he is my father. He and I just stay as far away from each other as possible when it comes to matters like this."

"Is he expecting you to come to the dinner?" I asked.

"No, he's not that dumb. But..."

"But what?" I asked.

"If you need a date, I'd love to go with you and make fun of the bastard."

Thank God for Rebecca Granville.