Welcome! This week the word prompt is "square." My excerpt is a bit short. I do want to caution that this happens during our pandemic. So if that's too much, I understand. The title of the story is "Unforgettable." Scroll down to return to the fabulous Tuesday Tales stories.
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“I’ve gotta go.” He checked his watch. “I’m
supposed to meet Dr. Alan Snider in half an hour.”
“Okay. Go make the world safe.” She rose.
Cary grabbed the bread, kissing his aunt on the
cheek and headed for the door. “Thanks, Aunt Sue.”
She pressed a ring sporting two keys into his
hand. “Here you go. So you don’t have to ring.”
“Thanks.”
When he hit
the street, he turned right, heading for the subway. His heart pounded. He’d
never been in war triage or an epidemic, let alone a pandemic. How was the
disease being transmitted? Could he remain safe while treating patients? What
kind of equipment did the hospital have? Cary had no idea what to expect. At
least he wasn’t in the high-risk group for death. Still, so many questions and
very few answers.
His thoughts
turned to Aunt Sue. What the hell was she thinking, being so reckless? What
would he do if she got sick? He couldn’t stay home and take care of her. He
stepped up to the window to buy a metrocard and ask directions. He shoved a
twenty under the bars.
“What train do I take to Empire Hospital. It’s on Hamilton
Square.”
“You a doctor? Nurse?”
“Doctor.”
“Oh, okay. From out of town?”
“Yes. Pine Grove, New York.”
“Oh, all right. No charge.” The woman slid a
metrocard across to him.
“Thanks.” He smiled.
“No. Thank you, Doc.” She grinned back.
* * * *
At the hospital
Waiting for the elevator, he looked around. All the
healthcare workers wore serious masks. He pushed the button for the third
floor.
“Can you please page Dr. Snider for me?”
“Sure. And you are?”
“Dr. Cary Metcalf. Here to help.”
“Great. Just a minute.”
Cary wandered around. There were beds in the
hallway. Patients wearing masks in the waiting room. Nurses wearing scrubs walked
by quickly. Doctors talked to other doctors as they proceeded down the hall. Conversation
tossed back and forth between the men and women created a low-level buzz. The
air weighed heavy with worry and sickness.
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Looking forward to where you're going with this. Good job describing his emotions.
ReplyDeleteI love the gratitude the person at the Metro had for him. And I can feel the weight in the hospital. Great job!
ReplyDeleteGreat job of getting across the import of what's going on and his fluctuating thoughts about it. I'm glad he is appreciated. I was struck by how Aunt Sue's actions affect his lifw.
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