Until Autumn

“YOU DID WHAT? HOLY SHIT, THAT’S AMAZING!”

“I KNOW! You should have seen me. I was totally freaking out but trying to keep my cool because I didn’t want to scare the woman, but it was amazing. My very first delivery. I mean, I really didn’t expect it to happen like that, but either way, it was amazing. I can’t wait to do more.”

She lets out an amazed huff. “That’s so insane. Was it a boy or a girl?”

“A little baby girl,” I tell her, the pride radiating off me in waves. “You should have seen her. She was so tiny. Absolutely perfect.”

“Awwww, I bet. What was her name?”

“I … umm. Shit, I don’t know. I was too busy being excited that I didn’t even think to ask, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s named one of the months of the year.”

“What?” KC laughs. “What do you mean?”

“Well, her mom’s name was November, and she mentioned that she already had a daughter called July, so you know, seems like there’s a bit of a theme going on here.”

I start rinsing out my hair, tipping my head back, and feeling the warm water soaking over my body. “That’s kinda cool,” KC says. “So, what next? You get cleaned up and do it all over again?”

“I don’t know,” I say. “I have to meet with my supervisor and probably fill out some kind of paperwork and report about what happened in the elevator, but then I’ll be working under Dr. Mayson.”

She grunts. “You mean the guy you were telling me about with the shitty personality?”

“Yeah, that’s him, but his personality disorder might have been just a rumor because I met him this morning. He was actually a family member of the couple in the elevator, and he seemed so thrilled with how I handled myself that he asked me to be on his services for a little while.”

“Wow, Autumn, that’s incredible,” she says as I turn around and shut off the shower.

“Yeah, I’m really excited,” I say, reaching for my towel and drying off as quickly as I can. “I feel like this is going to be a great thing. I mean, what better way to start this training program? Dr. Mayson is seriously the best the state has to offer.”

Grabbing my phone off the little ledge, I dump my towel into the hamper and find a new pair of scrubs before quickly getting dressed. “That’s amazing news. Why don’t you come over tonight after your shift? We could have dinner and a movie to celebrate. I’m sure Tiger would love to hear all about it,” she says, referring to her seven-year-old daughter, Aalia, who is more intrigued with babies and birth than any kid should have the right to be.

“Sounds great, but I’ll have to let you know. I have a feeling today is going to be exhausting.”

“Okay, sure. Just text me when you can.”

“Alright, girl. I have to run. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Sure thing,” she says and just like that, she ends the call and I get back to racing through my after-shower procedure. My long hair is twisted up into a bun and my scrubs are pulled down into place. I slip my shoes back on, and in the space of three minutes, I’ve showered, dressed, and calmed the fuck down.

I have no idea which locker is available for me, so I shove my bag under the bench and try my best to keep it hidden before racing out the door in search of my supervisor. I have no idea who I’m looking for. Her name was scrawled over my paperwork in ten different places just so I wouldn’t forget it, but here we are.

I’m sure she’s going to be pissed. She would have had a whole induction prepared for all the new students starting today and I completely missed it. Great. Though maybe once she hears about my morning, it’ll be alright.

I hurry through the maternity ward and come to a screeching halt when I finally find the nurses' station. There’s an older, greying woman standing behind the desk who looks as though she’s just suffered through a painful double shift and wants nothing more but to take her frustrations out on me. “Umm, hi,” I say, trying to come across as extremely likable so she doesn’t take my head off. “It’s my first day here. I’m Autumn, one of the students in the midwifery program. I’m just wondering if you could help me pinpoint my supervisor. I’m sorry, I can’t quite recall her name.”

Her glare seems to harden and has me shrinking back, wishing I could run. “Your supervisor’s name is Patricia Langham, and she is me. You’re over an hour late for your shift. This is not a good start to your training, Autumn.”

Oh, fuck.

My eyes widen, and I’m sure that she sees the horror written all over my face. “I’m sorry, I was actually here right on time, if not a little bit early. But when I got here, there was a pregnant woman who I was helping to get up here. Then the power went out on the elevator and I had to deliver the baby while Dr. Mayson talked me through it. It’s been a crazy morning.”