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“No, no. I’m just tired. So tired. Can you pick up Mimmo?”
My head falls forward.Of all days, why today?
“Is there any chance you could do it, Antonia?” I peer over to the registration desk, hoping for a sign I’ll be called back to a room soon. “I’m a little tied up right now.” I rub at the spot on my lower belly, relieved the pain has eased a bit.
“It’s okay. I know you’re busy. He doesn’t have far to walk.”
Hell with that.“Antonia, he’s five. If you can’t meet him at the bus stop, I’ll come home!” I snap. My voice is admittedly terse, and I can’t help but fix my eyes back on the little guy sitting nearby. He looks to be about the same age as Mimmo, wearing a similar expression. All wide-eyed and smiling, despite his current circumstances. Someone unblemished by the evils of the world.
“I’m sorry, Luca.” I can hear her sniffling through the line. It tugs at my heart, and I instantly regret getting short with her.
“Shhh. Shhh. Don’t cry. I’ll get him. It’s okay. Get some rest, Sorellina.” The line goes quiet, and I stand to inform the registration attendant I’ll have to leave when a voice booms through the silence causing my steps to falter.
“Luke Barrett!” a copper-haired male in maroon scrubs shouts from beside the counter.
“Yes.” Thank goodness. Maybe I can get checked out and still make it to the bus stop. My pace picks up at the thought until a wave of nausea overtakes me. Stopping to catch my breath, the pain is back and much more intense.Hell. I knew I shouldn’t have eaten any of George’s barbecue.No telling what that shit was. He probably shot it in his damn backyard and poured some Heinz 57 sauce on it.
“You okay to walk?”
“Yes. Yes, I’m good.”
“Thank you for your patience. I’m sorry you’ve had to wait so long.” The tall young man swipes his badge, allowing the doors to the emergency room to swing wide. The commotion in here is much more extreme than the waiting area. People are lined up in wheelchairs outside the triage room, additional patients lie on stretchers along hallways, and firefighters stand with more on gurneys, lined up as if they’re in a holding pattern.
“Is it always like this?”
“Ha. No. Sometimes it’s worse.”
Jesus.
“The hospital is full, so there’s nowhere for admitted patients to go until they discharge someone upstairs. The ones too ill to go home have to board here until something opens up. It makes it harder to move patients through here when the number of beds is basically cut in half.”
“Well, I’m not staying. Just need to get this pain and nausea figured out, and I’ll gladly give up my bed.”
After a bit of a long walk, he gestures in front of him as he reaches an open room. “There’s a gown on the bed. Just put it on so it opens in the back. Hopefully, your nurse won’t be too much longer. Here’s the call bell if you need anything.”
“Thanks, uh?—”
“Wyatt. Wyatt Wood.”
“Thanks, man. And if no one else tells you today, I appreciate all you do here. I couldn’t handle this job.” I shake my head, immensely grateful I’ve led a healthy life.
Wyatt stands tall, seemingly taken aback. “Thank you. Lately, we only seem to hear all the ways people feel we’ve fallen short on their care.” He gives me a short wave over his shoulder before exiting, and I turn my attention to the gown.
What the hell is this thing?After about five minutes of trying to line up all the snaps, I finally figure out the front from the back. I assume everything has to come off, so I pull my T-shirtover my head, kick off my shoes, and bend over to slide my pants and boxers down?—
“Uh, hmm.”
Startled at the sound, I spin on my heel to find a gorgeous brunette wearing navy blue scrubs, a white lab coat with what I hope is a coffee stain on the lapel, and the brightest red cheeks I’ve ever seen. “Oh, shit. Sorry. I should’ve pointed my ass in the other direction.” I chuckle.You’d think she’d be oblivious to naked people if she works here.
She quickly strides over to a computer station attached to the wall, her flushed skin still quite noticeable. She’s adorable. Internally scolding myself for staring, I gather my belongings and place them on a chair before taking a seat on the stretcher.
“I’m Jillian. I’ll be your nurse today. You’re Luke?” she asks, turning to look directly at me.
Holy shit.
I’m speechless. This girl is stunning. She has the most incredible blue-gray eyes. They’re practically magnetic. I don’t think I noticed earlier because the combination of her adorable blush combined with her deep dimples stole all of my attention. Her light brown hair is pulled back. I can see a few golden strands mixed throughout. As my eyes reconnect with hers, I watch as one well-manicured brow slowly lifts as she stares in my direction. All of a sudden, it hits me she’d asked a question, yet I’m sitting here gawking at her like an idiot.
“Oh, yes. That’s me.”
