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We rushed to the ER, and Ryker was the only patient there. I pulled back the curtain and he was lying on the gurney. I looked at Bennett and asked, “What happened? He was doing so well yesterday when I examined him.”
“I’m not dead. You can ask me,” Ryker replied in a snarky tone I’d become used to.
“I figured your head might be hurting too much to talk,” I said.But maybe it’s not hurting at all.
“It’s uncomfortable. The dizziness is what has me concerned.”
I walked over to him, pulled the light out of my pocket, and looked into his eyes. “And when did this start?”
“I woke with it early this morning.”
“And is there anything else besides a headache that I should be aware of?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I’ve followed your instructions.”
“And have you been spending a lot of time in front of your computer screen or on your cell phone? Screen time can cause issues when you have suffered a head injury,” I explained.
“Not really. Nothing compared to what I usually do,” he stated. “I didn’t want to come back here, but Bennett said if I don’t then he’s putting me on a plane and shipping back to the States. Can you tell him that there is nothing wrong with me, please? I just want to go back to the resort and sleep.”
“So, you’re tired as well?” I questioned.
“Yeah. Exhausted. I don’t know why. Probably it’s the headache making it difficult to sleep well,” he said, yawning.
If I didn’t know how badly he wanted out of here, I’d think he was faking it. I looked at Bennett and he said, “I’ve never seen him like this. He never complains. Hates doctors. I practically had to drag him here.”
That was enough for me. “Okay. I’ll talk to the doctor, and I think we should keep you overnight for observation again. It might be nothing, but I’d rather you are here if there is a problem than at the resort.”
Ryker grumbled, and Bennett said, “Listen, it’s what is best, so shut up.”
I left the room and updated the ER physician. He said he still saw nothing that concerned him but respected my judgment based on my personal experience with the patient. That was a stretch, but I went along with it. The only thing I was worried about was if Ryker truly was having a lasting effect after his head injury.
When I returned to the room, I said, “Looks like you’ll be enjoying dinner with us again. Hope you’re in the mood for soup and biscuits.” We didn’t have anything fancy here.
“Not what I planned when I said we’d have dinner here together,” he stated.
I blushed, and I had no idea why. “Mr. Stone, you are a patient here. We arenoteating together. I’ll have a tray brought up to your room once you’re settled in. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have other patients to check on.”
As I pulled the curtain to leave, I heard him laughing. “She likes me.”
I snapped the curtains closed and stomped back to my office. If I wasn’t truly concerned about his well-being, I would have considered inflicting a little pain on him myself.
When I came across Dedra she asked, “What did you think?”
“I believe Mr. Stone is going to be a difficult patient again tonight.”
“So, you had him admitted to the hospital?” she asked.
“Yes. Even though he is not showing any signs of distress, I don’t believe he would be here unless there was a problem. I would like you to watch him closely and if you need me at all, whether he is sick or just bothersome, you come and find me. Understood?” I asked.
“Yes, Nurse Meri.”
“Good. Now I’m going to make the rounds and check on all the other patients before going to get a little rest. You know where to find me,” I reminded her.
“Yes, ma’am.”
As I made my way from one patient’s room to another, Brice came down the hallway.
“Hello Nurse Meri. How is your evening going?”
