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Sloane
I lean onto the handrail on the elevator as it creaks up to the Pediatric Oncology floor, my eyes heavy. Even though my impromptu ‘date’ ended early with an abrupt page from the hospital last night and I was in bed by eleven, I still can’t seem to open my eyes fully.
That might have something to do with the fact that they were open for the better part of the night, imagining what Max was doing and with whom, wondering why he wasn’t with me, and why I keep allowing him to disappoint me.
Over and over and over…
Those were the things looping through my mind in the wee hours. I should have been fantasizing about a certain doctor who has made it crystal clear that he’s into me. I peek down at my watch. Jules should be popping over soon. I know she’s going to want details, not that there are any juicy ones to share. I kissed Steven, but it was strictly PG-13 stuff. Nothing too hot and heavy. He was respectful, and I appreciated it, especially since I’m still trying to conjure up the faintest of sparks.
Seems like he’s fighting a raging fire on his side, but mine is more like a flickering ember.
I use my pen to scratch an itch deep inside my messy bun and let out a sigh as the elevator doors open. My sneakers squeak on the shiny tiled floor as I walk down the hallway to see my favorite kiddies and share the amazing news I received last night.
One of the head nurses, Clara, greets me with a warm smile as I walk toward the large desk at the front of the ward. It’s cold, gloomy, and cloudy outside but in here, the sun shines bright. Always.
Christmas may be over, but you’d never know it from all of the decorations still adorning the space. We always try to make the floor as festive as possible, as early as possible, so all of the kids can participate in the merriment. And we let the decorations stay up well into January to keep their spirits up. But it’s hard because…well, as positive as they try to be, their little bodies don’t always respond well to the treatments.
So we try to keep Christmas around as long as possible. Christmas always brings hope and cheer, and that’s what we strive to do here every day.
Maybe we need to have a little Christmas all year round…
“Hey, Clara,” I say with a smile. “How are you this morning?”
Clara nods to the controlled chaos around us. “Couldn’t be better, sweetie. And tell me, how was your night? How did your speech go?”
“It was fantastic!” I clasp my hands together, reminiscing about the offer I’d received and the promise of what’s to come. “It was such an honor to speak to all of those donors and they seemed really interested to help us. I think we’re going to have a really great New Year!”
“That’s so wonderful, dear! You have done so much for us, raised so many spirits, and given people the chance to do some good around here. You’re a real angel, you know that?”
“I completely agree.”
I jump with a loud gasp, spinning in the direction of Steven’s voice. He pushes his glasses farther up his nose and smiles at me. “Good morning.”
“Morning,” I murmur, a shy smile teasing my lips.
Steven winks at Clara. “You should have seen her in action last night. I think everyone there was ready to open their checkbooks.”
“That is wonderful to hear!” Clara pats my hand and gets up from her chair, carrying a pile of folders. “I’m so proud of you, sweetie.” She flashes a conspiratorial smile at me before turning to walk toward the file room.
I smooth down the front of my scrubs. “How was your night? Have you been here the whole time? You must be exhausted!”
Steven nods. “I was until a few seconds ago. Seeing you perked me right up. I was hoping we could continue our date…what do you think about lunch?”
“I’d like that. Hey, have you seen Jules today?”
Steven shakes his head and sweeps a hand through his thick, dark blond hair. “Not yet. Maybe she had a late night.”
“Maybe,” I murmur, looking at my iPhone. It’s so strange that she didn’t even text me. She usually does when she’s running late. I quickly shoot off a message to her and look back up at Steven. “So…lunch. I can’t wait.” A tiny lie, but at the very least, I know I’ll be ravenous by then, so it won’t be a complete fabrication when the time comes.
“Great.” Steven looks around at the kids wrapping themselves in silver and gold garland. “Looks like you’ll have your hands full until then.”
I giggle as some of the kids run past, dragging homemade construction paper chains along the floor.
“Max! Can you help me put this on the tree? I can’t reach!” Cassidy’s tiny voice jolts me, and I jump about a foot into the air, my heart still in my throat once I land.
Max? Here?
I clutch the edge of the desk and watch his tall, muscular frame scoop up Cassidy so she can pop a star onto the tree. She giggles and claps her hands.
