Like You Mean It

Paging Dr. Evans

It's been a month since I moved to Boston and started working at Boston Children's hospital. So far this has been a great change. The hours are thankfully not too terrible, and I don't have to do as many overnight shifts as I used to have to do, but I guess hindsight is 20/20 when it comes to the why of my overnight shifts in TN.

I smile at Mandy, Mel and Riley as I walk up to them in the lunchroom. They have become a lifeline for me since we met. They make sure I know who everyone is and where everything is, and they also invite me out outside of work. They've become great friends in such a short time, and I'm truly grateful for them.

I put down the bagels, muffins and coffee for our breakfast. We've now taken to bringing in breakfast for each other once every week. Today it was my turn, so I stopped at a local coffee shop and got everything we needed before heading into work.

"Good morning!" Mandy sing-songs too brightly for it being 7 in the morning.

"Is it really?" Mandy makes a face at me as I scrunch my nose at her and laugh.

"It really is!" She answers back, sticking her tongue out at me.

I laugh at her reaction, shaking my head. "You've obviously been hanging out with too many kids."

Mel and Riley burst out laughing at our interaction in turn making Mandy and I join in the laughter. Once we calm down we sit down to eat our breakfast and enjoy the only quiet moment we'll have for a while.

"How many patients do you have lined up this morning Charlie?" I turn my head to meet Riley's blue eyes.

"Um, I think I've got about 5 or 6 newborns coming in today. I know it's a couple of lactation consultations, and some for just general check up. Oh, I think I have one with an outside doctor, the baby girl is a month old and has been running a high fever." I answer, trying to think of my morning patients.

"Oo, what outside doctor, do you know?" Mel seems a little excited for my answer as she sits up a bit more.

"I think it's someone named Evans." I nod my head as I remember reading the name on the file.

All three women look at me with wide wicked grins on their faces. I'm extremely confused with their new demeanor. It's almost as if they have a secret that I am not privy to. The look on their faces is slightly unnerving.

I clear my throat and finish my coffee before getting up to head out to get set up for my first patient. "Okay weirdos, I don't know why y'all are looking at me like that, but I gotta start getting ready for my first patient. Dr. Morris doesn't like to be held up."

They all groan at the name. Dr. Morris, probably the most chauvinistic doctor in the hospital. He thinks he's better than anyone there because he's a man and a surgeon. Us nurses are a blip on his radar unless it's to very inappropriately flirt with us. Otherwise, inform him why the patient is there and stay out of his way. We really don't like working with him, or in his view for him.

Mel gets up and follows me out the door. "It sucks that you have to work first thing with Morris. At least your day will get better once you meet Evans."

She smiles mischievously at me once again. "Alright, what is up with those smiles? Who is Dr. Evans, and why does he make y'all look at me like that?!"

Ashley laughs from behind the nurses station, hearing my little outburst. "Oh, don't mind them, Dr. Evans is just a very good looking guy, and he's very sweet. He's a big flirt, which is why they're looking at you like that."

"Oh great, more flirty doctors. If Dr. Morris puts his hand on the small of my back again, I may throw up right on his fancy shoes." My southern accent getting thicker the more agitated I got.