Page 22 of The Phyre that Burns
I hated to be so mean, but I had a heart to protect. If I let my guard down, it would open me up to being hurt again, and I didn’t have time for those kinds of problems.
My Sweetness had always beena firecracker, but it seemed that since we’d parted ways, she’d become closed off and mean. I didn’t want to believe that our situation had made her that way, but something told me it was the case.
We didn’t speak again until we arrived at the hospital. I showed her to the locker room where she could store her things, and we met in the hallway a few minutes later. After introducing her to some of the staff, we headed to see my first patient.
“I delivered two babies on Friday, and one on Saturday and Sunday.”
“I thought you were going into pediatrics,” she said.
“That was my initial plan, but I changed my mind.”
“Why?”
“The woman I’m in love with unknowingly talked me into it. She spoke about helping women bring life into the world with such passion and conviction, convincing me that it was what I should aspire to do.”
I stopped in front of the door to our first patient’s room and caught her staring at me, possibly trying to figure out if the woman I was referring to was her.
“Can you tell me a little about this patient before we go inside?” she asked, shifting her eyes away from mine.
“It was a scheduled C-section, and there were no complications. If all is well, she’ll be released tomorrow. You can take a look at her chart while I talk with her.”
She nodded, and we went inside.
“Dr. Jordan, I wasn’t expecting to see you this early. Good morning,” Mrs. Levy said before I could greet her.
“Good morning. I usually schedule my rounds around my appointment schedule, and today, the morning worked better. Mrs. Levy, this is Nurse Burns. She’s working in my office for the next six months while Nurse Michaels is gone.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Mrs. Levy said.
“You too, and congratulations on your little one.”
“Thank you.”
I proceeded to ask Mrs. Levy several questions about how she was feeling and examined her incision. When her husband arrived, I informed him she was cleared to be released tomorrow, and Ginae took over. She explained to the couple what should be prioritized upon release. One of the other nurses brought their baby boy in as we were leaving, and Ginae cooed over him for a moment.
“He’s absolutely adorable,” Ginae said.
“Thank you, and we agree, although we are biased. I’m sure you were the same way with yours,” Mrs. Levy said.
“I don’t have any children, but I’m sure when I have them, I’ll think they’re the cutest beings on earth. Congratulations again,” Ginae replied.
We stepped into the hallway, and Ginae waited for me to lead her to the room of our next patient.
“You couldn’t wait to have kids. I’m kinda surprised you’ve waited this long,” I said.
“I shouldn’t have to tell you how insensitive that comment is, especially in your position. Maybe I’m not waiting and can’t.”
“Oh shit. That was incredibly insensitive of me. I apologize.”
“Apology not accepted. Where to next?”
“Ginae, I?—”
“Let it go, Phyre.”
I nodded and headed down the hall. For the next hour and a half, I kept it strictly professional with Gina, avoiding small talk and side conversations. By the time we returned to my car, I couldn’t take the tension anymore and wanted to smooth things over.
“Ginae, I didn’t mean to offend you.”
