We have a silent code at work and that is to never answer the phone during report. That is the time when staffing is most likely to call with the "I know you think you are going home but you can't speech" when no one else is available. The phone rings and my lapse in judgment is due to an expected Dr.'s call back on a patient.
"Fourth floor R.N." I answer.
"Good, Jen, it's you." I hear Mitzi's chirpy little voice on the other end. She runs our staffing office for the hospital. Her specialty is dealing with us nurses who feel 8 hours is enough time served.
"No, Mitzi, I will let you talk to someone else as...", I try to say quickly but fail. Mitzi is faster than any telemarketer around.
"Honey, you know who's up to bat for 5th floor?" she giggles into the phone. Of course she can taunt us because she knows there is a security door on the staffing office. I think I know why.
"Do you know it takes a really sick person to do your job?" I say sarcastically. Mitzi knows I am kidding...partly anyways.
"Actually , Jen, that is your job...taking care of sick people and there are two for you all night on 5th floor. I have to go the phones are ringing. Goodnight" she says as the phone is clicked over. Bitch! The thought of paging security and suckering them into letting me into the staffing office to retrieve an invisible purse comes to mind but not for long. The girls come in to relieve me for report.
I head up the stairs to 5th floor with the idea that this could be worse. Much worse. The whole floor could be full and I would be alone. I get report and settle into the desk. I get some charting out of the way and by then it is time for rounds. I get the vitals on the guy in 4A and note he is due for discharge to the nursing home for comfort measures only.
I continue on down the hall to the lady, Anne, in 2B. She is sleeping with Valium on board and will leave tomorrow via family who have a guest house ready to take care of her in. I check her vitals adjust her sheets and clip the call light to her side rail. I get ready to leave when a framed photo catches my eye.
I pick up the photo and see the family smiling after a long day of fun in the sun. There are uncles, aunts, grandmas, grandpas, cousins scattered and grandchildren sitting on the grass in front. I study each face left to right and it is then that I see him.
He is ruggedly beautiful. His smile could light up at least half of L.A. His dark hair and his dark eyes almost distract you from the fact his arm is around an equally amazing creature. She is exotic in her features. Great! Ken met Barbie. I know there must be some law against two beautiful people being together. Talk about cheating the less fortunate gene pools.
Their skin glows and must have just been kissed by Fiji or Bermuda before the photo was taken. Irregardless, I feel my mouth go dry. He must be a treat to look at everyday. I put the photo down and close her curtains. I turn off the television and think about him as I fill her water pitcher.
He is the guy in my fantasy opening the door to the cabin. I have just hiked three miles into the deep woods after splitting my canoe during a portage. I can't believe my eyes thinking he must be a mirage to my dehydrated soul. He takes the lead and gives me a smile that has me drying off in a towel absent of clothing by the fire in no time. My mountain man replenishes me with a warm drink from the antique wood stove.
He is quiet because everything about him talks to me in the silence. His accent soothes me, his eyes warm me and the touch of his hand seduces me into complete submission. He has asked for nothing and I will give him everything for that moment, his presence within me to never end.
The water splashes over the water pitcher and sprays out at my uniform. Great! Now that I am cooled off with reality I grab a towel and curse the faucet. My shirt is soaked and the fact is white isn't going to help matters any. Thank goodness it is 12 midnight and has 7 hours to dry.
I return the pitcher to the bedside and get ready to leave the room when I walk into a human wall. I would guess 6'2"-6'4". Incredible smell... a cross between Armani and roses. Roses? I look up and see a huge bouquet of multi-colored roses. Above them I see my mountain man. What? I must need my contacts rinsed. I blink and find a hand extending towards mine. I wrap mine as much as possible around the large fingers. The warmth spreads through my arm and up into my cheeks.
"Hi, I am Elijah, Anne's nephew. I just got back from London on business. How is she?" he says in a rugged voice that cuts the silence in the room like a jagged knife.
"No problem. She is doing great. Anne will be ready to be discharged tomorrow. Are going to be the one taking her home?" I ask letting go of his hand. I am still only able to see his eyes because there is a bouquet of roses in between us. I quickly count and there has to be at least 20 in there.
"Oh, sorry" he says as he backs into the hall bringing down the bouquet at the same time. In the light I now see him. He is breathtaking. It is him. The man in her photo. First thought is naturally that Barbie must be parking her pink corvette. Or did they bring his beachcomber jeep? I smile lightly at the idea of a pink corvette in underground parking. Now that you don't see everyday.
"Can I set these in her room if I am quiet?" he asks holding the bouquet out from him to get my attention.
"I am in your way. Go ahead. I will be out at the desk if you need something." I say attempting to pass around him.
"Actually, I do need your help if you don't mind." he steps back into the room blocking me.
"Do you have a phone I can use with a calling card? I read the signs about using the cell phone in the hospital." he in informs me.
"Sure, put the roses down and I will show you to our visitor's room. I bet you are tired after your flight. Your family is probably just waking up in London." I comment figuring that is who he is calling since I haven't seen Barbie claiming Ken by now.
