Lily of the Valley

Chapter 11 | Nothing Changed...

The week went by quickly and I didn’t mention anything about my encounter with Tom to anybody.  The orientation went well, and I officially started a week later.  I didn’t know it was possible to be excited and be dreading for something at the same time.  

I was walking towards Pediatrics when I heard my name called.  It made a certain memory spark in my head, but I dismissed it immediately.  

“Good morning, Karen!”  Mason greeted me excitedly.

“Good morning to you too, Mason.”

“Would you like me to give you a tour?” he asked jokingly.

“I would love that!” I laughed.

“Well, too bad. I have to make my rounds.”

“Thank you for getting my hopes up!” I pretended to be offended.

“But maybe we can have dinner. I get off at 8, and you?” he asked.

“Same time, we’ll talk about the details later.” i said as we both waved good bye.

Nothing changed in the ward. Kaiser’s pediatrics still looked the same, and it still had the same feel to it. I still know most of the nurses, and they know me as well. Rita, the oldest nurse, and the one in charge of the floor was like a second mother when I was a volunteer. She greeted me with glee and a very big hug.

“How have you been, deary?” she asked. 

“I’ve been great, Rita! And you?” i returned.

“So much has changed here since you left!” 

“Really? It doesn’t feel any different to me.” I looked around as I said it.

“Dr. Patel has retired and his replacement is such a wonderful, young doctor!” she exclaimed. She never really liked Dr. Patel, since they used to get into fights about caring for their patients. Rita is always so compassionate, and she didn’t like how cold Dr. Patel seemed around patients.

“Why do you always talk about your fiancee with that tone, Rita?” Tony, another nurse I was really close to, asked.

“What?” i asked, confused but also intrigued.

“Oh, it’s nothing!” Rita waved off.

“Nothing? You’re engaged to Dr. Patel, and you say it’s nothing? He’s supposed to be mine!” Tony acted hurt, but he was smiling.

“Oh my gosh! Congratulations! How long have you two been dating?” i asked, really surprised.

“Ever since you pointed out their bickering.” Misti said from behind me.

“Misti! How are you?” I asked, glad that there’s another familiar face.

“Getting older by the minute.” she said, flipping her graying, curly hair. 

“But we still look gorgeous, sister!” Tony said, flipping his own imaginary long hair. 

“Okay, let’s get back to Rita being engaged to Dr. Patel!” I said, reminding them about the topic.

“Yes, we noticed them getting along a week after you left. Then, a month later they became all sugary sweet. It was guh-ross!” Tony said. 

“Oh stop it, Tony!” the blushing Rita slapped his arm lovingly.

“But really cute and funny too because they went from the bickering couple to the honeymoon stage in such a short period of time!” Misti added.

“How sweet! When is the big day?” i asked.

“It’s a surprise for now. I’ll be mailing the invitations over the weekend.” Rita informed us.

“Well, time to get to work. I will see you guys around. And it’s really nice to have you back Karen.” Misti said, giving me a hug before she left.

“Let’s get this party started!” Tony said in a hushed voice, and left to make rounds.

Rita assigned me two patients, since it’s still my orientation week. I got a 15 year old who was recovering from peptic ulcer, and a 4 year old recovering from a greenstick fracture. And we went on to do our duties.