𝗣 𝗬 𝗥 𝗢 𝗠 𝗔 𝗡 𝗜 𝗔 | BOOK THREE

S I X T E E N

[graham eaton]

I run through the halls of Chicago Hospital, Jolene's hand in my own, brushing past nurses and family members of patients.

"Hey, watch it!" One nurse exclaims, nearly dropping the large pile of supplies she has in her arms.

I look back and wave.

"Sorry!" I exclaim.

I face forward again, running quickly.

"Graham, you're gonna get us both killed!" Jolene exclaims.

I smile back at her and run even faster, dragging her behind me.

"Good thing the best doctors work in the ER." I say.

We make it to the waiting room and Jolene laughs, her feet slowing down on the slip-proof tile. I nod at her to stand back and allow me to talk to the counter ladies. I approach the large porcelain counter where an older woman, nearly fifty years old, sits at her desk. Although older, she is still quite beautiful. She holds a certain beauty not many women her age possess. She lifts her eyes from the screen and scoffs. I smile and lean against the counter, my usual routine.

"Lydia, baby, did you do something new with your hair? Or is it new glasses. There's something new about you." I say.

She scoffs and continues typing on her computer.

"Graham, seriously, I can't keep letting you back there. Those doctors, your Mother included, all have jobs they need to focus on." She says.

I exhale and stand up straight.

"Oh come on, I am a registered nurse. Technically, I could come and go as often as I please." I say.

She rolls her eyes and smirks at me.

"You could if you had a job here. But, you don't. Instead, you took your talent and intense practice to the Fire Department." She says,

I groan and throw my head back, then stand up straight.

"Please, Miss. Lydia! I mean, seriously, you've known me since the day I was born. Please?" I ask.

She shakes her head.

"Graham, it's just like I told you last week, unless you have a patient with you who needs attention, I suggest you get back to your job." She says.

I spin around and look at Jolene, run to her, take her hand, and run her over to the counter.

"Yes! I have a patient who needs emergency medical care." I say. "As you can see by the bruises on her face, I would like to have Doctor Eaton check her for a Concussion and possible brain bleed." I say.

I nudge my elbow into Jolene's arm, then clear my throat.

"Ow," Jolene says unconvincingly. "Ouch, yeah, these are really painful and I'm actually quite dizzy."

Lydia furrows her brows and rolls her eyes.

"She's doing a consult in bed five. Give her the chance to actually finish her consult, Graham." She says, buzzing the doors open.

I smile and blow a kiss to her.

"Thank you, you beautiful woman." I say, waving goodbye.

Jolene laughs as I drag her into the emergency room.

"What was that about?" She asks. "It seemed kinda inappropriate to flirt with someone has known you since the day you were born."

I smile and look down at her. She stands at about 5'8", me standing at 6'2". 

"Atticus and I have this ongoing bet from when we were high schoolers--who can make her more uncomfortable by flirting with her. So far, I've had a pretty decent streak." I say.

She laughs again. We walk to the nurse's station where I read the board--Eaton, bed five, ipsilateral hip and elbow dislocation on a thirteen year old boy. I raise an eyebrow and nod. I lean against the counter and look at Jolene.

"Maybe we should have my mom check out your bruises and make sure you're okay, since we're here." I say.

She raises an eyebrow, smiling at me.

"Why are we here? You grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the fire department without telling me why we were here." She says.

I smirk and point to a large hallway just beyond the Emergency Room.

"If James or whoever he is broke his wrist and had surgery here, his record will be on file with every hospital in Chicago in case he was ever transferred in an emergency. If we find a case that matches his, we might be able to find out his real name." I say.

She smiles and nods. Her eyes drift over my left shoulder and she gasps, patting my shoulder.

"Is that her? Is that your Mom?" She asks.

I spin around and spot my Mother exiting room five. She closes the door behind her, drowning out the cries of pain behind her. I wave, catching her eye. She raises an eyebrow and drops the clipboard off as she approaches us.

"Graham, what are you doing here? Don't you have work?" She asks, hugging me.

I smile and step out of the way, allowing her to meet Jolene.

"Mom, this is Jolene Hale, a friend of mine. She knows who Ghost is." I say.

My mother approaches her, lifting her hands to Jolene's face gently.

"My Husband, Graham's father, told me all about you last night. He said you were a beautiful girl, but his words really only went so far. He never mentioned just how stunning you are." She says. "I'm sorry about what this 'Ghost' guy did to you. He should be locked away for the rest of his life just for how he hit you."

Jolene smiles and laughs gingerly.

"Thank you, Mrs. Eaton. Graham is a very nice boy, you've raised him well." She says, looking over at me.

My mother smiles and exhales.

"What can I do for you?" She asks.

I drop my smile and take Jolene's hand instinctually and step closer to my Mother, lowering my voice.

"We need to access the medical records," I say. "We might be able to ID 'Ghost' based on a scar he has on his wrist or a tattoo on his shoulder if he's been in recently."