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We hit the third-floor landing and started yelling, listening intently for an answer. When it came, it was muffled and terrified, coming from a door to our right. Jason kicked it in, and we rushed inside to see a young woman curled around a toddler, holding her tightly and shaking with fear.
We ran to them and wrapped them in a fire-retardant blanket. Jason led the way back to the stairs but when we stepped onto the landing, it creaked, and pieces of wood began to splinter, falling inward and making the woman scream with terror. Her daughter was sliding toward the disintegrating floor and something had to be done.
There are moments in the life of a firefighter where a split second decision can alter the course of their career or even their lives. I jumped forward, grabbed the little girl and shoved her back to the rest of my crew. Heavy smoke filled the air, nearly blinding me, but I caught a glimpse of Jason catching her before the floor gave way beneath me.
I fell downward, hurtling through the air toward the second floor. Sharp pain rushed through my body as I hit the landing and then kept falling. The wood splintered and gave way beneath me, propelling me hard toward the bottom floor. I hit with a thud, my legs giving way beneath me. I looked up just in time to see pieces of wood flying toward my face. I threw my arms up and the last thing I thought about was a pair of ocean-blue eyes flashing through my mind.
Everything went black.
CHAPTER TWO - TARA
“You’re doing great, Olivia!” I said, my voice light and full of encouragement.
Olivia struggled through the next rep of arm lifts, pain etched on her face. She was only eight-years-old, and already, she possessed more strength and determination than most people four times her age.
“Are you sure she can handle it?” her mom asked, but I shot her a smile, and she relaxed.
“One more, sweetheart,” I said softly. “Just one more and you’re done for the day.”
“I can do more,” Olivia said.
“I know you can.” I took the small weight from her hand and laid it on the floor. “But we can’t push you, okay? Your arm has to heal the right way, remember?”
Olivia nodded and turned to her mom, who hugged her tightly and looked relieved that it was over. These physical therapy sessions were never easy, especially for the loved ones of my patients. It was hard to watch, but it was necessary. Sometimes, even I had a hard time making it through, but this was just the beginning of my clinical rotation, so I knew things would get easier with time.
“Same time next week?” I asked, looking from Olivia to her mom.
“I have a couple questions,” her mother said.
“Sure.” I forced a smile to my face, but my head was beginning to ache again. Olivia was my last patient of the day, and I just wanted to be alone to finish my paperwork.
“Well, I was reading about this new treatment plan online. Something called controlled hyper-extension. The article said it could be helpful.”
“I don’t recommend that for Olivia,” I said firmly. “She’s very young, and her arm is healing properly for now. We don’t want to change anything and risk reversing her recovery and possibly doing her more damage.”
“But I really think it might be worth trying,” her mother said. “The article said the amount of pain associated with this new treatment is way less than traditional physical therapy.”
“That’s not yet proven,” I said. “These tests are still very new. Olivia is not an ideal candidate for something like that.”
“Are you sure?” her mother asked. “I really think we should.”
My patience waning, but I was trying not to show it. I had to remind myself why I wanted this job so much. Growing up seeing my father care for his patients with so much care and love always left me so excited to be a part of the same world.
“I know how worried you are. But I can assure you that Olivia is doing quite well. Her treatment is rough, but it will get easier. Now, if you would like a second opinion, I’m happy to give you a few numbers to call. My colleagues can review her file and tell you what they think.”
I tried to keep my voice light and calm, but it wasn’t easy. People who believed the internet as the end all be all thought they knew more than licensed professionals, and it was often not the best for the patients in vulnerable states like Olivia. This was my job. I was new to it, but I was also damn good.
“No,” she finally said, sighing deeply. “You’re right. I’m just nervous.”
“I understand,” I said, smiling kindly.
“We’ll see you next week.”
“Bye, Tara!” Olivia said, grinning widely as her mother led her through the door. I smiled and waved until they disappeared.
With a groan, I walked behind my desk and fell into my chair. My physical therapy clinic was located just off the main hospital, giving me just enough privacy to help my patients but not enough for a single second of true alone time.
My head was throbbing at this point. These headaches were nothing new. I’d been getting them for over a month now. I knew I needed to get myself checked out, but I simply didn’t have the time. My patients and my job were more important. This was my last rotation, and if I did well, I would graduate Physical Therapy school with honors and finally get my hard-earned license.
