RED

fourteen

DR. ALEX STORM

"How long should the surgery take?"

Dr. Springer thinks for a moment, her pupils drifting to the corners of her eyes, "shouldn't be longer than two hours."

I sigh, rubbing be back of my neck, "she's going to be so mad at me."

Dr. Springer smiles genuinely, "she will appreciate it in the long run. She may be reluctant now but she will be thankful, I promise."

Dr. Springer was the best surgeon at this hospital, so I wasn't worried at all about her. I was just worried about my patient and how she'd react to it.

"I've just got to grab her blood work quick before we can go into surgery to make sure she can withstand the anasthesia."

I nod, already aware of the standard procedure. We make our way into Red's room and I can already see that she is confused at the new face of Dr. Springer. I can already sense her nervousness.

"Why don't I take care of this since she knows me," I whisper to Dr. Springer so that Red can't hear.

She nods understandingly and leaves us to be alone.

"Good morning, sweetheart. How are you feeling?"

Red gives me a small smile and I can feel my heart squeeze up at the sight. The fact that she has been smiling at me lately and opening up more makes my stomach explode with butterflies. It just gives me a sense of excitement at my progress with my first 'extreme' third floor, red wrist patient.

"Now," I start off, laying out my necessary blood drawing equipment out on the table next to her bed, "I know you may not enjoy this but I've gotta do it."

All of the utensils were wrapped in sterile casings until ready to be used. She looks at me with an incredulous gaze when she sees me pull out a rather large needle. I can literally hear her gulp.

"It will be alright," I assure, "you have nothing to be afraid of. I just have to take a little bit of blood, okay?"

Her previously happy eyebrows turn into worried ones when I start to come closer. She flinches away, but I make sure to warn her that if she keeps moving, I will be required to strap her up and she immediately gives me the expression that it is something she is not interested in.

I grasp her arm that's closest to me gently, cooing comforting words to her as I do so. I tie a tourniquet around her slender upper arm. I also sanitize the area of where I will puncture the skin. Then I bite the cap off the needle and spit it out onto the table. Just as I'm about to stick the needle in her vein, she flinches.

"Ah- easy... you're okay."

I get back into position again and line the needle up perfectly with her vein. I can see that she's trying so hard to sit still for me, but she's scared. I insert the needle into her fragile skin and she hisses.