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Prologue
Eliza
“Hello, I’m Eliza Bennet. I’m starting my practical experience today,” I say nervously to the lady working on reception through the glass window.
She smiles warmly. “Hello, Eliza. Welcome.” She punches my name into the computer, and then she stands to retrieve a lanyard before she passes it over to me.
I read the printed name.
Eliza Bennet
Pride fills me and I bite my lip to hide my smile.
“Just wear this for a week until you find your way around so that everyone knows you are new,” she says.
“Thanks.” I take it from her and put it on.
“Go up to level three to the nurses’ station. They will take care of you from there.”
“Thank you.” My heart is hammering because of my nerves. I step into the elevator before the kind receptionist has to revive me. This is it!
I inhale deeply to try and calm myself down. The elevator doors open, and I head toward the nurses’ station.
Just do everything right. Don’t mess things up, I remind myself.
Three nurses are talking before I gently knock on the door and their attention turns my way.
“Hi, I’m Eliza. I’m starting my practical today.” Please be nice.
They each breakout into broad smiles. “Hi, Eliza. Welcome, and come in,” the lady with the dark hair says.
“Thanks.”
“I’m Marjorie, and this is Beth and Caroline.”
“Hi.” I grip my handbag with white-knuckle force.
“Follow me. Did I read your resume right?” Marjorie continues as she walks up the corridor with me following her closely. “You’ve moved here from out of town?” We get to a bank of lockers where she opens one up for me. “This will be your locker.” She passes me a key. “And this is your key, but we don’t ever lock anything around here; we’re all completely trustworthy.”
“Thanks.” I take the key from her and put it in my pocket. “And, yes, I’m from Florida.”
“What made you want to move to San Fran?” She frowns.
“I don’t know, I wanted a change and I’ve always loved this city. The hospital is one of the best in the country.” I shrug, it seems like a stupid decision to move across the country on my own now that I’ve done it, but anyway I’m trying to make the best of it.
“This way, dear,” she says as she begins to walk back down the corridor. “Do you know people here in San Fran?”
I trail behind her. “Nope.”
She turns to me, clearly surprised. “Where are you living?”
“I got an apartment in town.” I shrug nervously, feeling the need to elaborate. “My parents came to help me find a place and get settled. We’ve been here for two weeks but they went home yesterday.”
“How lovely.” She links her arm through mine. “Well, you’re going to love San Francisco, and you’re going to love this hospital. You’ve made a good decision.”
“Thanks.”
“Now…,” she hands me a pair of gloves, “let’s go play drug dealers and hand some painkillers out.”
* * *
Four hours later, I stand and look up at the specials board in the staff cafeteria.
There’s so much to choose from, hmm….
“What’s good here?” a deep male voice asks. I glance over to see a young man standing beside me, who is also staring up at the board, totally entranced by the selection.
I shrug. “I don’t know,” I reply. “This is my first day here.”
His eyes meet mine. “Your first day?” I nod.
