Page 74 of Beyond Oblivion

“Will do,” Chuck said, pushing the gurney forward, whistling a commercial jingle. He peeked down at me with his deep brown eyes and winked, having no idea he was now the warden for Trenton Maddox’s most precious possession, and failure meant death.

Heather, the nurse on the other side from where Trenton had been, looked down at me, gently patting the hand free of tape and tubing. “He sure loves you.”

“Like no one else ever has,” I said as the doors swept open.

“This is it. My moment to shine,” Chuck said, steering the gurney next to another bed in the middle of the surgical suite. “I’ve been waiting to show you my parallel parking skills since the moment we met.”

“Ten minutes ago?” I quipped.

“I’m not one to wait around when it comes to showing off my talents, Cami,” he shot back with a wink.

Heather, standing nearby, chimed in with a smile. “It’s true. Chuck is the star of the show, always.”

She lowered the rail on the side of the gurney, and Chuck finished his precision maneuver, pushing it flush against the surgical bed. With a swift move, he engaged the brake, and the gurney gave a soft jolt as the wheels locked into place.

“Okay,” Heather said, preparing the IV stand and tubes. “Slide right on over for me. Try to keep your gown from getting tucked underneath you if you can.”

I followed her directions, lying down flat. There were other nurses and techs in the room, but they were busy preparing the sterile field.

“Hi,” a man said, leaning over into my line of sight. “Remember me?”

“Dr. Sleep, I presume,” I teased.

He chuckled. “Don’t go using my superhero name unless I’m in full cape and spandex. Here, it’s just Dr. Dan.”

“Understood. Dr. Dan it is. Let me know if you ever need a sidekick. I’ve got some pretty sick one-liners.”

He laughed, glancing at Heather. “I like this one. I’m going to infuse my usual cocktail with a dash of ‘waking up fluent in five languages’ and a sprinkle of ‘unlimited tacos for life.’ You’re coming out of this either ready to impress at a UN meeting or enjoying the best damn fiesta anyone’s ever seen.”

“Meeting a taco angel was not on my bingo card today.”

Everyone in the room paused to appreciate my response, sharing a collective chuckle.

“What did you give me?” I asked Dr. Dan. “I’m suddenly exhausted. Feel like I hit a wall.”

“Nothing just yet. Did you have a restless night? Maybe it’s finally catching up with you.”

“Yeah, that’s definitely a possibility.”

“Here in a bit,” he said, shifting into professional mode, “I’m going to place a mask over your nose and mouth and have you take some deep breaths for me, okay? We’ll get the good stuff flowing through your IV. You’re about to have the best nap of your life. You might experience a metallic taste in your mouth—that’s normal. Have you ever had general anesthesia before?”

“I don’t think so. I was in a pretty bad car accident a few years ago, but no surgery.”

“Any complications from your hospital stay that you’re aware of?”

“I don’t know, Dr. Dan. But in my defense, I was unconscious for most of it.”

He breathed out a laugh. “Fair enough. I’ll double check your chart, just to make sure we’re in the clear before I get started. Any questions?”

“Nope, seems like you know what you’re doing, even without your spandex.” I shivered, finally feeling the chill in the room sneaking underneath my blankets.

“Want another blanket from the warmer?” Heather asked, her long lashes blinking above her mask.

“Yes, please.”

She disappeared for a moment, and then returned, a comforting heat settling the shivering that had taken over my body.

“Chamomile?” a deep voice called from the double doors. Dr. Ley walked over, standing just above me, winking. “Trenton told me to call you that.”

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