Chapter 2
I was in a deep sleep, dreaming about binge-watching shows and eating as much junk as I could, when my stupid alarm started blaring.
I groaned, pulling my duvet over my head.
Why I took Natalie's late-night shift, I don't know.
If I hadn't, I would have been able to sleep for more than five hours.
I was more than tempted to call in sick for my two o'clock shift, but I knew I couldn't.
It was the only shift before the weekend.
My alarm kept going off, but I let it.
I can lie here for a few more minutes.
The moment I was up I would be busy, so I might as well treasure this moment for a bit longer.
When the sound of my alarm became annoying, I grudgingly brought my hand out of my covers to slap the snooze button.
Flipping the duvet off my face I huffed, opening my eyes and staring up at the ceiling.
I was now really wondering why I chose this career.
Long days, long nights, no sleep, no time to eat.
As much as I liked to complain about my job, I loved working at the hospital.
Once my residency is up in two years, I will definitely be staying at the Evergreen Memorial Hospital.
I worked in the care facility part of the hospital.
After someone comes out of surgery or even the ICU, I am one of the nurses who goes around making sure everyone is comfortable and okay.
Although, I do help out in the ER if they are short on nurses.
Knowing I had to be at the hospital soon, I groaned loudly.
Flinging the covers off, I got out of my warm, comfortable bed.
With the clock having just struck one p.m., I had plenty of time to get up and get ready.
I only had to put on scrubs, which made getting ready that much easier.
Because this morning I came right home and passed out, I went to take a shower.
The entire time I showered and washed my hair, I thought about my plans for the weekend.
I was going to go all out...stay home and order take out, while watching TV.
It sounded like heaven.
I was beyond exhausted.
Having only gotten around twelve hours of sleep the entire week, I was more than ready to just spend a whole weekend in my apartment, doing absolutely nothing.
I just had to get through today's shift and I would be free.
With that thought in mind, I quickly ate my breakfast and got changed.
I piled my long brown hair up in a tight ponytail, and added just enough concealer to hide the big bags under my eyes.
My green eyes looked tired and dull; they'd looked that way for years.
I looked worse than a zombie.
If you value your sleep, being in the medical field is definitely not the place for you.
Before I left my walk-up apartment, I grabbed an umbrella.
As soon as I opened the door, I was met with pouring rain.
The umbrella was a good idea.
Living in Riverton, Rimewatch, you get used to it raining on and off at least once a day.
At first, I was annoyed by it raining suddenly, only for it to be sunshine the next second.
But over the years, I have come to cherish the little bit of sunlight and even the light rain.
I moved to Riverton for college eight years ago.
I came from a small town about an hour away, so it wasn't too much of a move for me.
I wanted to stay close to my family, so if they needed anything, it wouldn't take me too long to get home.
While Riverton University wasn't my first option, it turned out to be the best thing for me.
What college I really wanted and even got accepted into was the University of Rimewatch.
I accepted the scholarship and admission, but things changed.
My old boyfriend, Logan Warren, decided to join the Marine Corps, instead of accepting his football scholarship to play for the Rimewatch Falcons.
Because of that, I decided to go to Riverton instead; it made things easier.
If Logan hadn't gone into the Marines and I had gone with him to a different college, things would have been different.Manythings would be different today, but no, he had to go and do the "right" thing by serving our country.
As you can tell, even after all these years, I was still upset about it.
He is one of the reasons I have not seriously dated in eight years.
I shook my head at the thought of my ex-boyfriend.
It would do me no good to think about him; it would only upset as it always did.
Things were different now;Iwas different.
I moved on, and for all I know, Logan could be dead.
I couldn't let myself think of such things.
Not when I was pulling into the parking lot of the hospital.
Starting my shift in a bad mood would only make the day go by slower.
Once I parked my car and turned it off, I took a deep breath.
No thoughts of my ex nor the rain could ruin my happiness for a blissful weekend.
No, I was going to go in there, do my shift, and then go home to get in my comfy 'PJs.
Nodding to myself, I got out of the car and headed for the entrance, praying this shift went by fast.
"You know, Sarah, I have the perfect guy for you to date.
My grandson is single and I think you would be perfect for him."
"Have you been eavesdropping, Mrs. Bellamy?" I ask, my hands making quick work of unhooking her from the IV.
This change of topic was definitely not random.
"I wouldn't call it eavesdropping; the nurses just happened to be talking loudly.
Not my fault they don't know how to control their voices." I couldn't hold back a smile at her words.
Seeing Mrs. Bellamy instantly made me feel better.
She wasn't your typical sweet, caring, grandma.
No, she had attitude, something I liked.
"And these nurses happened to mention my name?"
"Oh, honey, the moment I heard your name I was going to go right up to them and ask why they were talking about you, but you see, I got curious.
Is it true you haven't had sex in three years?" My eyes went wide at that and I took a step back.
"Mrs.
Bellamy!" I could feel my cheeks getting warm.
Were Zoe and Veda just broadcasting my sex life throughout the hospital?
"It is okay, sweetie.
Once you get to a certain age it all stops anyway...well, not me and my Thomas."
"Okay, that is enough with this conversation." I interrupted her.
There was no way I was going to talk about sex with someone who could be my grandma.
"Sarah, I—" she started to say, but she was interrupted again—this time not by me.
"Honey." In came Thomas Bellamy, her husband of forty-plus years.
"Darling." I stood back and watched them greet each other.
Because of hospital policy he couldn't stay the night, and of course, his wife wouldn't let him sleep in the uncomfortable chairs.
It was so cute, watching them interact together.
You could tell they were still in love after all these years.
It was that kind of love that gave you hope that real love was out there.
"Well, you two, everything looks great," I said, coming into the conversation a minute later.
"Someone will be in here in just a few minutes with your discharge papers."
"Oh good.
We can get you home." Thomas squeezed his wife's hand and smiled at her.
"Just make sure you take it easy for a while, okay?
We don't need you back in here with another heart attack.
Eat your fruits and vegetables, go for walks."
"Yeah, yeah." She waved me off, but I knew by the look on Thomas's face he would make her do all those things.
"I have to get going.
But you two take care.
I don't want to see you in here again, Mrs. Bellamy." I gave her a stern look.
"Thank you, sweetie.
Don't forget about my grandson.
He would be really good for you," she said, and even sent me a wink.
"I'll keep it in mind." I patted her hand before saying my goodbyes again.
While I have loved seeing Mrs. Bellamy these past few days, I am happy she is leaving.
I don't want patients to stay here forever just so I can see them.
I just hoped she took it easy and didn't have another heart attack.
I was walking down the hallway, heading back to the nurses' desk when my pager went off.
Glancing down at it, I saw the number two,this meant the ER needed me.
It would take hours to explain how many codes there were in the hospital.
Once I reached the elevator, I tapped my foot impatiently as I waited.
Going down to the ER, you had to expect anything.
Things could change on a dime down there, and for most people, it gets to be really insane.
I've only had to be down there a few times after big accidents, and it was enough to make me glad I wasn't permanently down there.
Finally able to get into an elevator, I pressed myself into the corner.
I hated the dreadful silence that followed an elevator ride.
Riding one was a lot worse here at a hospital; you could just feel so much grief.