Page 60 of Charmed, I'm Sure
“I hope you enjoyed that call, Dr. Hallows, because I don’t think you’ll be getting another chance tonight,” Sam chided as I stopped at the sink to wash up before grabbing my gloves.
“Worth it,” I said with a smile as Sam shook her head and took her place next to the gurney. Scrubbed and dried, I grabbed gloves from the rack on the wall and braced myself for the incoming trauma.Here we go.
The sky was awash in pinks and oranges, and there was a bite to the air when I finally stepped out of the emergency room the next morning. I was bone tired, but throughout the rest of my shift, the only thing on my mind when I wasn’t with a patient was Magnolia. When we got off the phone the night before, she seemed to be in better spirits thanwhen I’d first spoken to her. But I still wanted to make things better, wanted to see the smile on her face and be the one to put it there.
Leaning against the seat while my car heated, I pulled up my messages again. She’d texted me when she got to her sister’s apartment, then sent a picture of herself, Jaelyn, and Meredith—who I realized was the same woman at the door during the Meat-Cute. But it was the text from said sister that caught my interest.
Meredith Bellevue
Hey, I stole your number from Mags’ phone when she passed out.
Was that odd? Just a tad, and I had been too busy to respond when I’d received the text. But as I stared at that message, an idea popped into my head.
Taylor
Well, this is my lucky day because I need to ask you something.
Meredith Bellevue
It’s fucking 7 am, and you’re texting me why?
Fuck me, this is what I get for not putting my phone on Do Not Disturb.
What do you want,Hallows?
Taylor
Good morning to you, too. I just got off work, so sorry for waking you up. But if you give me your address, I’ll bring you coffee.
The gray bubble indicating someone was typing popped up and disappeared a handful of times before the response came through.
Meredith Bellevue
Shouldn’t you be bringing Mags coffee?
Taylor
That’s the plan, little Bellevue.
Meredith Bellevue
Ew, don’t call me that.
515 Azalea Park Drive Apt 206.
And if you go to CC’s, I want a GIANT Turtle Mochasippi. Mags will want one too.
Actually, make that three giant Turtle Mochasippis, with the works and an extra shot since you woke me up at the ass crack ofdawn.
I chuckled to myself as her texts rolled in, then put the address into my GPS. It would take a little over two hours to get there, and I still needed to head home first to shower and change clothes.
I tried to give myself a pep talk as I backed out of my parking spot, but that had never been my strong suit, especially when logic was applied.
“Exhaustion is just a state of mind.”No,it’s not;your body needs rest to recharge. Exhaustion is your body’s way of saying you need to slow down.
“Two hours isn’t that long of a drive.”True, but it’s a hell of a lot longer after a cluster-fuck of a twelve-hour shift when you haven’t really slept in three days.
“I just need to drink some coffee. Maybe grab an energy drink when I hit the gas station.”Yeah, becausethat’sa super healthy alternative to actually sleeping.
