She's Awake

Mila

On Thursday, I finally had a day off again. Even though my days off were still as often as they used to be, it felt a lot longer between them with all the double shifts I was working. At least, the ward was calming down. Most of the accident patients could be moved to regular recovery rooms and beds were emptying in the ICU. It was always good news when we had less work because it meant that people were getting better.

Or passing away, but that wasn’t the case, here.

My phone rang. It was Danielle. I smiled and answered.

“Are you off today?” Danielle asked.

“Yes. I really need this break.”

“I hear you,” Danielle said. “It’s dull without you, though,” she said.

I told her I would be back tomorrow, and we ended the call. Danielle and I had been getting closer over the past week. She was a sweet girl, eager to learn, and her compassion was staggering. But she was young, and she struggled under the pressure sometimes. She was a little squeamish when it came to blood and puss, which