INNOCENCE

• eight

NELLIE

I follow the woman around the hospital corridors, the noise of children crying making my heart ache a bit. I've applied a few weeks ago as a medical assistant & I'm a bit nervous.

I have a bit of experience in the medical field because I went to college to become a nurse but I quit my second year of college. Shit was hell. I never cried so much.

"You're job today is to observe the doctor. Don't speak unless your spoken to. Don't intervene, he won't need your advice." She repeated once again & I nod my head.

"Words newbie." She huffed & I sigh.

"Uh yes." I speak softly & she smiles.

"Good."

I walk behind her & tell myself a few encouraging words. We stop at room 421 & she knocks twice on the door before entering.

I walk in behind her & shut the door. I wave at the child sitting on the bed & he flashed me a toothless smile, my heart warming. He doesn't look older than 5.

"Hi, I'm Neliyah Wade." I introduced myself to his guardian & the middle aged woman smiled at me.

"Hey, how are you?" She asked kindly.

"I'm good, thank you. How are you ma'am?"

"I'm alright." She speaks softly, her voice coated with an accent.

"The doctor will be with you two shortly." The woman from before spoke & I sigh.

•••

I sit in the corner & observe quietly as the doctor attempts to give the patient the vaccine. The young boy refuses to let the man touch him.

I know I've been told not to intervene with the doctor & his patient, but he's afraid.

The young boy turns his head & we lock eyes, his brown eyes filled with tears.

"N-No." he cries, tears falling from his eyes. His mother tries to calm him down but fails miserably.

"Hold him down for me." The doctor spoke & I raise an eyebrow. The boy begins crying hysterically.

"Hold him down?" The mother questioned.

"Yes, either hold him down or I'll call in nurses to do it for you." He speaks rudely & I scoff.

"Is that really necessary?" I speak softly & the doctor glares at me daring me to say another word. I sigh & stand from my seat approaching the crying boy.

"Can I hold his hand?" I asked his mother & she nodded her head, flashing me a kind smile.

"Ms. Wade." The doctor warned & I ignored him.

I grab the boy's small hand & caress his soft knuckles. I poke his cheek making him smile.

"I-I don't w-want to." He whispers & I sigh.

"I know you don't but It's okay." I speak softly & raise my hand, caressing his chubby cheek. I then poke his nose & he giggled.