The Act

•1•

"Good morning, Mr. Grayson," I chimed as I entered the room. Reaching up, I unhooked the empty saline pack only to replace it with a full one. I then detached the I.V line from the old bag, connecting it to the new one. Glancing down at the sleeping elderly man, I whispered, "Don't tell anyone, but I made sure to warm this one up for you."

I gave the lukewarm bag a squeeze to get the saline moving before removing my stethoscope from around my neck. Placing the ear-tips in my ears, I gazed up at the heart monitor as I gently pressed the chest piece against Mr. Grayson's chest.

"Your vitals are looking good." I announced, removing the ear-tips, and placing the stethoscope in its spot around my neck. "I'm just going to check your incision site then I'll be on my way."

Placing my hands at the base of Mr. Grayson's head, I gently lifted and undid his bandage just enough to see the stitched-up wound. Seeing the soft pink scar at the crown of his head showed no signs of infection, I carefully rewrapped Mr. Grayson's bandage.

"Everything looks good," I announce, gently returning his head to his pillows. "I'll be back check on you a little later, Mr. Grayson."

I grabbed his chart and the empty saline bag from the foot of his bed on my way out of the room. Sliding the glass door closed behind me, I tossed the saline bag into the trash can beside the Nurse's Station before taking a seat. I had just grabbed a pen and opened Mr. Grayson's chart when my best friend, Amara, came bounding up to the desk.

"Guess who's stopping by the hospital this week?" She questioned, excitement filling her voice. I didn't bother looking up as I updated Mr. Grayson's chart.

"Hopefully, nobody," I muttered. Clicking the pen closed, I tucked it in the breast pocket of my scrub top as I met Amara's electrified gaze. "We want people checking out the hospital, Amara, not checking in."

"Damien Foster," She beamed, ignoring my previous statement completely. Closing Mr. Grayson's chart, I placed it in its designated slot before grabbing another chart at random.

"Am I supposed to know who that is?" I questioned, skimming through the binder as I stood from my seat.

"Please tell me you're joking," Amara stated. I shrugged as she fell into step beside me. "He's one of the most successful bachelors in Washington, not to mention, his family owns this very hospital."

"Ah," I remarked before entering a sleeping patient's room. I quickly and quietly checked on the morphine drip along with the patient's vitals. Deeming them safe, I made my way out of the room, closing the sliding glass door behind me.

"Ah? That's all you have to say?" Amara pressed as I made my way back to the Nurse's Station. A frown settled on her face as she leaned against the desk. "This could be your chance, Avery. I thought you'd be more excited about it."

"Aren't you supposed to be in the E.R today?"

"Stop trying to change the subject," Amara commands. "You haven't been on a single date since–"

"Amara, don't," I warned. "Is this why you came down here–to chastise my dating habits?"

"No," Amara answered, no doubt sensing my lack of patience with this conversation. "I thought there'd be more action down here."

"Well, sorry to disappoint," I snapped. I returned my gaze to the stack of charts as both of our pagers went off. Snatching the small device from its spot on the waistline of my pants, I glanced at it.

"Five car pile-up, five minutes out." Amara announced, urgency coating her tone. I was instantly out of my seat–both of us sprinting for the nearest elevator.