Page 29 of Be With Me
“Did you take some of Mr. Jensen’s happy pills?” Was the response she got back.
“One can hope, can’t one?” Debbie resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
“Get to it. Doctor Mattis will be here in about thirty to start rounds. Need you to accompany him today.”
How did Debbie get so lucky? Meds and rounds this morning. “And if he asks where you are?”
“Charge nurse meeting. Guess the administration is trying to change a few things up and they are, surprisingly, actually asking our input. Not that they’ll listen but they’re making a show of it.”
Debbie nodded before turning to the med closet. “Got it. Let me get these meds to the patients.”
It didn’t take Debbie long to get the medications all sorted out. She headed to room 209 to start. There was a rhythm that she liked when she did medications; argumentative first. Mrs. Pauley hated taking her pills, but they seemed to be killing off the infection that set in after her surgery.
A few rooms later was Deb’s favorite patient. Okay, maybe they shouldn’t have favorites but Mr. Scott had a special place in her heart. Yes, he’d claimed a spot and didn’t seem to be leaving it anytime soon. Of course that could be because of Luny.
“Good morning, Mr. Scott. How are you feeling today?” she asked as she entered his room.
“Ah there’s my favorite nurse,” he responded with a slight twang. Mr. Scott was a transplant from Mississippi after The Great War as he’d told Debbie. Moved for his ‘little lady’ that he’d met and married as he trained before leaving for Europe. Oh to listen to his stories was bittersweet knowing his wife had passed a few years ago.
She pushed the cart closer to his bed and clicked on the light above his head. Debbie gave him a quick visual exam; he looked a little sallow. Making a note on his chart, she tried not to frown and reached for the clipboard on the cart.
“What story will you tell me today? Something about the war? Eleanor’s fried chicken? Your great grandchildren calling you Pappy?” Debbie teased as she checked the list and pulled out his paper cup with pills.
“How about you tell me a story today?” Mr. Scott answered.
“What do I have to share?” Debbie double checked the orders in his chart then reached for the pitcher next to his bed for some fresh water to help him swallow it all.
“How’s that husband of yours?” He reached for the water and pills.
“He’s at a briefing today. Getting ready for deployment.” Debbie was trying not to wallow in worry. How was this all going to work?
“Deployments are hard, but you’ve got this. You don’t seem to be a wilting flower that’ll whine and curl up without her man.”
Debbie chewed on her lip for a minute. She really needed to get out of her own way. “I guess there’s a meeting for the spouses at the end of the week where we’ll find out… whatever?” Debbie really didn’t have a clue why she had to go to a meeting for her husband to leave but Luny asked her to do it and she really needed to figure out everything.
“You’ll get all the contact information you’ll need while hubby’s gone. Maybe you’ll make a friend or two?”
“Is that what they did back then?” She remembered watching documentaries and movies about World War II but none of them really dealt with the families at home except well, how they found out someone died. Nope, not going to think about that. Things weren’t the same, right?
Mr. Scott broke out in laughter that lasted for a minute or two before he controlled himself. “Back then, those on the home front were lucky if we were able to write them a letter. Things have changed a lot from what I’ve heard at the Legion.”
“Sounds like I’m luckier than Eleanor for that but she got you so maybe there’s a tradeoff.” Debbie fussed with his covers before she walked to the other side of the cart. “Okay, I’ll be back with Doctor Mattis in a little bit. Try not to cause any trouble while I’m gone.”
“Take all my fun with you. You should bring your man to meet me. Break up my busy days.” Mr. Scott broke out in a coughing fit.
“When did you start with the cough, Mr. Scott? There’s no notes in your chart,” Debbie said as she turned back to grab the board and make notes.
“Just in the past day or so. I’m fine. Now scoot.” He made a move along motion with his hands. “I’ve got shows to watch. Bring the mister by.”
“I’ll see what I can do about that. His schedule is a bit nuts between briefings and still on patrol.” Debbie pushed the cart to the door and when she looked back, Mr. Scott reclined with his eyes closed. She’d have to talk to Luny about visiting her favorite patient.
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“You want to grab some lunch?” Brian asked as they were dismissed for an hour break.
“Sounds good. Mike?” Mooney agreed as he stood.
“McKennas? Get some hoagies?” Mike suggested.
