But now I’m wondering how can I go back and just be a burden to my brothers? I can’t. I know I can’t.
Nurse Berry is beautiful. I’ve noticed her numerous times, but that’s all I’ve done is looked. There’s no way a beautiful, curvy woman like that would be interested in me. Not now. Not like this. But her calling me on the way I’d been half-assing my workouts with Marven probably should embarrass me. I have half a mind to tell her to mind her own business, but instead, I decide to take her advice. I merely nod my head at her, not trusting my voice.
She looks at me, giving me a nod that seems more encouraging and motivating than anything I’ve gotten from Marven. She stares at me a little longer, as if she’s looking for something, and when she seems as if she finds it, she turns and goes back to her patient. I do the extra sets, and even though my legs are shaking, and my right leg is already trying to grow sore on me, I feel a little better. Too bad I can’t seem to catch her attention to tell her she was right.
2
Karly
The butterflies in my stomach are just silly. I don’t know why I’m so nervous and excited. Jason Keller hasn’t shown any special interest in me; sure, he’s smiled at me a couple times since I encouraged him, but that doesn’t really mean anything.
I don’t have time to date or even remotely be interested in someone. Especially not a patient. No, what I need to be doing is focusing on my job and working my way into every available shift I can get myself into.
Marven has given me his shift today, and so for today at least, Jason is going to be my patient. That’s all I’ve thought about since I found out yesterday that Marven needed someone to cover his shift. Not about the fact that yes, now I’ll be able to keep my lights on, or anything else. All I’m thinking about is the fact that I’m going to be up close and personal with Jason.
I give myself a mental kick for feeling so giddy. I’ve got to do better; he may not really be my patient, but crushing on him when he is a patient at the hospital is still quite unprofessional, and I’ve never been unprofessional before.
I manage to keep a friendly and professional expression on my face when I approach him in the open PT area. There are people all around us, but his eyes are settled on me, and my stomach does a little flip-flop. “Hey Jason, I don’t know if Marven told you, but I’ll be covering for him today.”
He smiles and laughs a little nervously. “You were right about those extra sets the other day. I could do them. I hope you’re not going to be too hard on me, though, Nurse Berry.”
“Karly. You can call me Karly. Plus, a big strong soldier like you couldn’t possibly be afraid of a little nurse like me. I do plan to push you today, but my goal is to help you, not hurt you. If you get any pain in your knee at your surgery site or in the still healing break, I want you to stop.”
I smile at him, trying to soothe him with my words but also wanting to make sure that he understands me. I definitely don’t want to work with him one day and cause a setback. Marven would never let me live it down.
When he finally nods his head, I walk over to him. “May I?” I gesture to his leg.
He looks unsure but at least nods at me, giving me approval. He’s looking at me like I’m going to twist his knee or cause some kind of pain to him. He’s gripping the side of the chair, and his knuckles are turning white from the pressure. “I’m not going to hurt you,” I assure him. And although I intend to work him harder, I definitely don’t plan to hurt him.
I examine the healing incision, noting that there is no redness or puffiness. “It looks as if it’s healing really well.”
He just grunts and shakes his head.
“What? It is,” I tell him. “You’ll have a scar, but it won’t be noticeable.”
“I don’t care about scars. I can handle the scars. What I can’t handle is depending on a cane or a walker to get around.”
His voice is thick and filled with emotion, and I can only imagine how hard it is for him right now to be stuck in the chair like this.
“Well, that’s good. You’re motivated. So how about we get you up and start working toward your goal?”
He slides to the edge of his seat but doesn’t get up. “I wish it was that simple.”