Dr. Grommit.
The most frightening man I know is a doctor.
His name is Dr. Grommit. And he heads a group of physicians I’ve been trying to join for several years. A closed, elite group.
The Boy’s club.
And it’s taken me years to get to this point because there’s been a hulking and imposing boulder in my path. The rock, not surprisingly, has a name.
Dr. Grommit.
He’s the unspoken authority of Tony Soprano mixed with the callous ferocity of Suge Knight. Simply said, a terror.
Last night was my opportunity to speak with him. Dressed in my Vegas suite with boldness brimming, Dr. Grommit pulled off the lid and blew my confidence asunder.
“Hello, Dr. Grommit just wanted to say–”
“Sit down. Let’s talk.”
My heart drops. Sit? I want to bolt. He pulls a chair for me to sizzle.
Grabbing my knee, he says, “have you done work with the guys?”
“Yes. I’ve been able to shadow Dr. Roberts.”
“Who?” He glares.
“Dr. Roberts, J-James Roberts.”
“Jay? Shit. Just say so next time. But shadowing doesn’t mean shit.”
He looks over the crew he directs while they casually drink cocktails, “John! When the fuck is this meeting starting. I fucking hate waiting around.”
John, a spectacle-wearing stout man, walks over and sits on the other side of Dr. Grommit. He explains a story about an altercation with the police, some hoodlums, and “pikeys.” I can barely make out the story. His Irish accent doesn’t penetrate the ringing in my ears. Or the slow and steady rumble that’s bubbling from within my chest, murmuring “Get out.”
John’s story reminds Dr. Grommit of a situation he had in Compton. His ‘hood. Except he doesn’t relate. He regulates.
“That’s nuthin to a kid from Compton.”
John laughs. Dr. Grommit laughs. I laugh.
A disturbed laugh. The one that answers why I took so much stake in life since it was all going to end pointlessly over appetizers.
Dr. Grommit looks towards me and says “We’re gonna get you working USA Boxing. I’ll proctor you.” He turns towards John and they continue to talk.
I pat Dr. Grommit on the shoulder, thank him, then stand-up. And as he continues his chat with John, my body floats away to the paradise of the crowd.