We Have a Problem

Part 1

"We have a problem," Maya texted Carina about half way through her shift.

Carina had been in surgery and had no desire to use a scrub nurse to try to figure that out. She finished her surgery before scrubbing out and deciding to call her girlfriend, sending her resident to update the family.

"What's going on Bella?" Carina asked, sitting down in her office.

"I just tested positive," Maya said, tears in her eyes, "I had a temp of 101 when I woke up this morning and I got my rapid test results back. I'm already back home quarantining. My whole team was tested and Andy and Vic also tested positive so Andy's crashing with us here because Sullivan got tested and he was negative. The whole shift is in quarantine for the next five days and then they have to get retested. I'm so sorry."

"Bambina," Carina said, "You have nothing to apologize for. You picked this up helping someone. There is nothing wrong with that. I am just sorry that you are going through this."

"You need to get tested," Maya said, trying not to let Carina hear the tears in her voice.

"I will as soon as we hang up," Carina said, "Hey, I'm going to call you on facetime."

Carina could tell that Maya was on the verge of a panic attack and was hoping she could calm her down if she could see her. She quickly facetimed her girlfriend, her heart breaking immediately when she saw how pale Maya looked, tears running down her fever flushed cheeks.

They hadn't seen each other in over a week even though they were living together because their schedules had been completely opposite and Carina was working a lot of overtime because one of the OBs was on maternity leave.

"Oh Bambina," Carina said, wanting so badly to reach out and touch Maya, to calm her fears.

Maya just cried as Carina spoke softly to her in a mix of Italian and English, eventually succeeding in calming her down.

"It's going to be alright Bambina," Carina said, "What are your symptoms right now, besides the fever?"

"A little bit of a cough and headache," Maya said, shrugging, "And my stomach is unsettled, but other than that, I feel ok."

"That is good," Carina said, "Many people have few symptoms and they resolve quickly, although you need to make sure you follow the proper quarantine even if you are feeling better."

"I know," Maya nodded, knowing Carina was right.

"I need to go get tested," Carina said with a sigh, "I will call you when I'm done. I am going to stay here in my office until I get the results. Once I have them, I will call you back and we can talk about what to do."

Maya nodded, wiping the tears out of her eyes, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry," Carina said, shaking her head, "We knew this was possible the whole time, it was just a matter of when and who. Besides, I haven't seen you in over a week so there is a good chance you didn't give it to me. Now, I need to go get my test. I'll call you later. Try to get some rest. And push fluids."

Maya nodded, "Love you."

"I love you too, amore mio," Carina said, blowing a kiss to Maya.

They hung up, Carina pulling on her N95 mask before heading down to the clinic where she could get a rapid test done.

Once she was swabbed, she went back to her office, locking the door behind her so no one would come in. She tried to focus on some research she was trying to do, but found it hard to concentrate.