Everyone gathers around to be informed on how the night should play out. Two of my patients from last night have been discharged this morning and I have gained a new patient, a fentanyl overdose, yay my fave… they come in like a revolving door and are anything but pleasant for obvious reasons being withdrawal symptoms.
I grab my charts and walk away from the nurses' station when I feel a hand tuck into my inner elbow. I stop and turn around to see that the hand belongs to Roman. The warmth of his palm painfully retracts to his side leaving an arctic chill from the absence.
"Hey Jess can I talk to you for a sec?" He asks running that same hand through his luscious hair.
"Yeah, sure," I say hugging the charts to my chest.
"A couple of things actually, the girl in 308 is in mental distress…" he trails off.
"Ellanor," I confirm.
"Yes, I'll be sending in Dr. Hammond to speak with her shortly."
I'm utterly confused about why Eleanor would need to speak with a psychiatrist and Roman must sense that. The warmth returns to my bicep as he guides me a few feet from where we were just standing and closer to the teal wall just beside the photo of Mount Rainer.
"She had a mental breakdown this afternoon, threw anything she could within arm's reach, and refused to speak after that," he says in one breath.
"Dr. Ridley, excuse me for overstepping here but don't you think you're making that decision a little prematurely? She just had a 9cm tumor removed which is more than likely malignant. She's worried about a hysterectomy, she wants kids and let's not forget that if it is ovarian cancer, she has an uphill battle for the foreseeable future. I think it's a normal reaction to feel that your world is falling apart, some people cry, some go radio silent and some get angry." I try to reason with him.
"Jess," he rubs at his temples, "I know this, I'm not oblivious to that, I just want her to have professional mental support as she continues on with the challenges ahead."
"Okay, I get it," I nod.
"So here's the other thing," he lets out a minty breath in my direction, "I have been made aware that there is a patient here by the name of Cole Carson. I caught wind that you have played a part in that. Eventually, he's going to be in our care for quite some time and I need to know if you're up to taking him on as a patient of ours, I would want him to solely be your responsibility when you are here. If you don't feel comfortable we can pass him on to Dr. Arnold."
Okay, I did not see that coming. Generally, we don't get to pick and choose our patients but I suppose this is a unique case. I didn't know I'd be given an option so I'm pretty perplexed right now. Cole would be a huge challenge requiring a ton of work and attention. He could be here for months considering the injuries he's sustained. Something inside me tells me to see it through full circle until he's eventually discharged, I'm already invested at this point. I guess I'll need Charlotte's luck after all.
"Yeah," I nod in certainty, "I'm okay with taking him on."
"That's great!" Roman says with a grin and placing not just one but both of his hands on my arms in appreciation. I can't help but return the smile, it's so contagious.
"Well hey I gotta head to a meeting I'll see you later okay?" He squeezed my arms before releasing me and starts to walk past me.
"Jess!" Roman says walking backwards, "Did you do something new? You look good," he says smiling even bigger now.
"No, but thanks," I manage to say.
When he's out of my line of sight I mouth Oh my god to myself. Did he really just say I looked good? I swear I can die happy now, this elated feeling is overwhelming me.
Just as I'm about to start my shift I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, I technically have three minutes until my shift officially starts so I take a peek at the message.
Char: extubated an hour ago. Shallow breathing, hasn't woken up yet, 61 bpm
Me: Thanks keep me updated on everything, btw I'll need that luck, he's mine after you
Char: had a feeling that would happen
Me: No thanks to you
There are only two people who knew I saved Cole's life that night, Charlotte and Jake, knowing my best friend and her big mouth I know it was her that relayed the secret to Roman.
Char: oops
Knew it.