Fate Entwined | ONC 2020

Four | Waiting for the Shoe to Drop

Tara strolled into work that Wednesday morning, hoping for an uneventful day. Just a couple weeks in pediatric pulmonology and the exhaustion had already set in. The only thing that made the craziness tolerable was working alongside Dr. Andrews.

He was as handsome as everyone had boasted. But it was his bedside manner that made him so admirable. You could tell he loved his job, and he genuinely cared about his patients. He took his time and addressed even the most redundant questions a parent might have. They'd had at least eight emergency call-ins every day on top of their full schedule.

An unexpected summer virus was causing trouble for their vulnerable patients. Many who showed up in the office needed to go directly to the emergency room. Tara had already gone on some house calls for patients they didn't want to risk contracting anything from their other patients sick with viruses.

It thrilled Karen when Tara and Dr. Andrews hit it off. He had already asked Tara out to a couple of friendly lunches in their cafeteria. Nothing entirely romantic, but Tara would be remiss to say there wasn't an attraction.

"Good morning, Betty. How's the schedule looking for today?" Tara asked the receptionist as she settled into her station.

"It's not too bad. We aren't double-booked for the first time in weeks. Maybe it'll be a quiet day."

"Oh, Jesus, Betty. Take it back! You've just jinxed us!" Tara replied.

Betty giggled, but Tara wasn't joking. She groaned internally. You never say out loud in the medical field that things seem quiet or good because BAM! That's when you're flooded with emergencies.

Their building was large, and they even did some outpatient procedures and testing in their facility. Most of the RNs floated unless specialized in specific areas, like obstetrics. They housed some of the leading pediatric specialists in the country. The waiting lists were a mile long for many of the doctor's Tara worked with.

Being a pediatric RN differed from being an adult RN. It took more care and finesse. Tara was great with kids, and she always connected with them on a personal level to help them feel at ease. Many of them were dealing with diseases and illnesses that would frighten even the toughest adult.

"Claire is in the waiting room ready to go into an exam room," Betty informed her.

"Awesome! Can't wait to see how my little buddy is doing."

Tara met the sweet little six-year-old on her first day. Claire was a lung transplant patient coming in for a check-up.

The moment Tara stepped out into the waiting area, Claire came bounding towards her and hugged her waist.

"Hey, girlfriend! How are you this morning?" Tara gave her a gentle squeeze.

"Ms. Tara, I got a new puppy!" Claire squealed. "Mommy! Show her!"

Claire's mom smiled and pulled out her phone to show Tara photos of Claire with her new golden retriever puppy.

"Oh my goodness, Claire! He's the cutest puppy I've ever seen. What did you name him?"

"Franklin," Claire replied with a smile.

"How distinguished." Tara smirked at Claire's mom.

She brought her back and took Claire's vitals before settling her into a room. "Dr. Andrews will be in with you in just a second. Okay? Hang tight."

Tara went to see if the doctor was in his office. He was studying a chart intently at his desk when she knocked on the door frame.

"Tara, good morning!" His face lit with a brilliant smile of perfect white teeth.