Driving home is spent in silence because dinner went just about as well as I expected it to. On most occasions, I sit quietly in my seat while the rest of the family talks about medicine or about Mayor Weston's new ideas and accomplishments and blah blah blah. I'm not entirely sure if last night's events, lack of proper sleep, or hunger lit a fire under my ass, making me more confident to speak my mind, but I'm also not sorry that I did.
Pulling into my parking spot my phone dings and I'm certain it's my mom but to my surprise, it's Charlotte with an update.
Char: John Doe is in a medically induced coma for the next 48-72 hrs. Tox showed cocaine in his system, idk if that had anything to do with the accident or not but besides that, there's swelling in the brain, a broken femur, collar bone, fractured ribs, and gashes that are under observation for infection. Nineteen pieces of asphalt were taken out throughout his body. Honestly Jess, idk how this guy is alive
Wow. And Sorry John Doe for the ribs, got a feeling that was all me.
Me: still unclaimed?
Char: yep
Me: Clark's patient?
Dr. Clark is the ICU doctor and Charlotte has worked under him for as long as I can remember.
Char: indeed
Me: Good luck
Char: If he makes it through he might eventually become your patient so I'll take the borrowed luck and give it back soon lol
Woah. That thought hadn't even crossed my mind that Dr. Roman Ridley could take on John Doe as his patient.
That nerve. The one Nicole hit, was all about Roman. I don't think there's ever been a day when he hasn't made my heart accelerate into oblivion whenever I see him or simply hear his name. I have worked with him since starting at Harborview Medical Center a few years ago. Nicole met Roman in college, acquaintances really, attended the same gatherings due to mutual friends, I chuckle at the thought that Nicole has friends but besides the point, presently she and Roman communicate for work if a patient from Dad's office is admitted to our hospital. Nicole knows my feelings for Roman, though I've never admitted it. Chloe, a fellow nurse on our team is thick as thieves with Nicole so gossip between them is usually at the forefront.
Nicole hit a nerve because everything she said was true. I don't remember the last time I had a real boyfriend, hookups are usually just easier for me, no attachments, no commitments, and all the fun. Or is it? Am I really just holding out for Roman to finally notice me? Sure, he notices me in some way because I follow his medical instructions but as a person, does he know I exist outside of the hospital walls?
Sprawling out like a snow angel I lie on my bed and stare at my ceiling questioning my life choices for the better half of the night. My phone dings pulling me out of my self-loathing.
Char: police retrieved an ID from the storage compartment of the motorcycle, guess someone had to pry it open it was so crushed in
Me: damn what'd you find out
Char: his name is Cole Carson, 29, ID is a Cali address
He's got a name, Cole. The revelation of his name holds more depth now than it did before, he's a real person that has a name and an age and well a home.
Me: Thanks char keep me updated if anything changes.
The remainder of the night is spent in the same position on my bed and with Cole Carson heavy on my mind. Questions arise in my head, what made him crash, where are his friends and why hasn't anyone called around to claim him? I feel sorry for him in a way, it reminds me of Mary Jean, our eighty-nine-year-old firecracker with dementia. Mary Jean's family is spread throughout the country and want no part of her disease so currently she's ours until there's an opening at a state facility to better care for her. I secretly pray that day never comes because I love Mary jeans presence even if she is ridiculously outspoken and mean sometimes. Nevertheless, she's been abandoned and it's probably temporary but for the current moment, it feels like Cole has been too.
…
Light shines on my face waking me. I squint and feel for my phone under the covers. Lying on my back I read the time, 10:24am, I've had seven days off and my seven working days start at…yes you guessed it seven tonight.
"Ow!" I screech, the phone dropping square on my face. You'd think I'd learn by now not to hold my phone above my head but no can't teach an old dog new tricks apparently.
Changing my position I lie on my right side and text Charlotte.
Me: How's Cole?
Charlotte's shift ended at seven so she's probably home and sleeping by now, recharging for tonight's shift.
I feel that tonight will have a different energy for me around the hospital. Although Cole is on the floor above me and I won't be able to see him just his presence will make a shift, like wondering about every little detail about his recovery. What is his blood pressure? Are infections presenting themselves? How's the swelling in his brain? How bad does he look? Oxygen levels? Well okay, maybe not that he's intubated right now. I just know I'll be so invested in his case until he leaves.
Ten more minutes and it's time to leave for work. I have showered, shaved, washed my hair, pulled it in a tight ponytail, applied light makeup up and watched an episode of love is blind. Silly show but it's my guilty pleasure, what if Roman and I were behind separate walls? Would he be interested in my personality? Critically thinking now, if I weren't so attracted to him and had never seen him would I choose him based on his personality alone? I think I would because just the thought of seeing him tonight is making my heart pump harder.