Chapter 20
Melanie spent the next two days fretting about what she had said to Noah. He had gone silent, with not even a text message exchanged between them. In all the time they had been friends, she had never gone this long without talking to him, and it was driving her crazy. Even though she had suspected he might not immediately celebrate her declaration of love, Mel couldn’t deny her disappointment that he had left her with nothing more than a kiss and a request for space.Isn’t that my line?she thought to herself with more than hint of sarcasm.
On the third day with no word from Noah, Mel was grateful to at least have work to keep her occupied. After all, it couldn’t be healthy to just sit in her spare room, looking at the corner that used to hold a crib, twisting her wedding band on her finger, and trying to hold on to the memory of Noah and Connor living with her.
At the hospital, Mel changed into her scrubs and was just braiding her hair when Callie walked into the doctor’s lounge. Mel cringed inwardly as she quickly tried to think of what to say to her perceptive and curious friend, who was sure to have questions. Sure enough, as soon as Callie’s eyes landed on Mel, they lit up.
“Oh my god, I’ve been going crazy waiting for you to call! What’s happening? Jake doesn’t know anything, he just said Noah hasn’t been to the bar in a few days.” Callie bounced on her feet expectantly, and Mel couldn’t help but smile at her friend’s misguided excitement.
“There’s nothing to say, Cal. I told Noah I love him, and he asked for some time. That’s all there is.” She opted not to say anything about the meeting with Lois and Craig. The news about the custody suit being dropped should come from Noah she decided.
Callie’s face fell, but she quickly plastered on a supportive smile. “I’m sure he was just surprised by your change in attitude, that’s all. He loves you so much, he’ll come around soon.”
Mel flashed her friend a brief, sad smile. “Yeah, I hope so.”
Callie wrapped her arm around Mel’s shoulder and guided her out of the lounge. “He will. And in the meantime, let’s go out for late night dessert after work tonight.”
“I’d love that,” Mel replied honestly as their pagers went off, summoning them to the ER.
* * *
Several hours later, Mel was sitting at the nurses’ station in the middle of the bustling ER, writing notes on an elderly patient who had come in with what she suspected was pneumonia. She’d sent the man off for a chest X-ray and was checking the computer to see if the report from radiology was up yet, when she heard the triage nurse answer the dispatch phone, signifying an incoming trauma.
“OMH ER, this is Tara. Okay. Got it. Let me repeat back: mid-thirties male, vehicle versus concrete barrier. Suspected compound fracture, right tibia, possible loss of consciousness. ETA? Got it. Thank you.”
Tara, the nurse, turned to Mel. “Doctor Haynes, I know you’re waiting on your pneumonia patient, but we have an incoming MVA, single victim. I’ll page ortho, but you’re the attending trauma physician.”
Mel stood from the desk briskly. “Thanks, Tara, let’s prep trauma bay one. When Mr. Barkley returns from radiology, have one of the residents read the report, and send him up to the medical ward if his scans confirm pneumonia.”
Tara nodded, then turned back to the desk to mobilize the trauma team and page orthopedics. That was one thing Mel appreciated about Oakville Memorial, the Emergency Room team was like a well-oiled machine. Mutual respect and understanding for everyone’s role meant that they were a top-ranking department with very good patient outcomes.
Mel headed over to the trauma bay. There were only a few moments to go before the patient would arrive, and the room was a flurry of activity as nurses and doctors readied themselves. The paramedics would give them important information such as vital signs, but the team had to be prepared for anything.
Callie walked by, and stuck her head in. “Hey, I’m free for backup if you need me,” she said.
Mel looked up and nodded. “Thanks, only one patient incoming so we should be okay. But could you double check the radiology report for Mr. Barkley? The resident can take a look, but if you can be available to confirm diagnosis that would be great.”
Callie waved her acknowledgment and headed toward the nurses’ station.
Seconds later, the ambulance bay doors opened, and two paramedics rushed into the trauma room pushing a stretcher.
“He lost consciousness on the way in,” one paramedic called out.
“Get him on the bed and let’s see what we’ve got,” Mel said authoritatively to her team. She walked swiftly to the head of the stretcher, took one look at the patient, and felt her heart stop. When she took in a gasp of air, after what must have been the longest second ever, she fought to keep her hysterics at bay as she yelled for the one person she could trust in this situation. “SOMEONE GET ME DOCTOR SCOTT NOW!”
Callie came rushing in, snapping on gloves as she went. She pushed through the nurses who were already working on cutting away the clothing from the patient’s leg, while another inserted an IV and a third received report from the paramedics.
“What do you need?” Callie asked, then glanced down at the patient. “Holy shit. Mel, you can’t be here.” She pushed Mel aside and began barking out orders to the team.
“Callie…” Mel said brokenly.
“Get. Out. Now,” Callie said harshly, and Mel knew she had to leave before she broke down.
As Mel stumbled out of the trauma bay, she heard the head nurse asking Callie why Mel had to leave.
“Because this patient is her husband.”
* * *
