Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 157032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
“Give your lame excuses to someone else,” he mutters before he turns and walks up the corridor.
The other interns and I all stand still on the spot in shock.
What the actual fuck was that?
He turns. “Are you coming?” he snaps.
The interns all take off after him into a patient’s room, while I drift along at the back, hearing my furious pulse in my ears.
“Ashley, don’t make us wait any longer,” he calls from inside the room.
Dr. Vegas might need a fucking doctor himself soon.
How dare he?
7
You know the thing that annoys me about sexual chemistry? It doesn’t turn off when you want it to. Cameron Stanton is openly furious with me, and here I am, following his cranky ass around all day, imagining how he would look naked. I mean, the suit is nice… perfect, in fact. That messy dark hair that looks like he has just been fucked hard is inspiring. The spotless shoes are designer, and the watch probably cost more than my car, but nope… it’s naked that’s working for me. We walk up the corridor as a group following Dr. Stanton on his rounds. This is the worse kind of torture to watch. He is so gentle and caring with his patients that I can feel myself melt more and more as the day goes on. We stop out the front of the room so he can give us our usual briefing, and he opens the client chart.
“This is Gloria Hernandez. Gloria is ninety-two and in need of a triple heart bypass.” He pauses. “Although at her age, she likely wouldn’t survive the surgery, as she isn’t well enough.” His eyes rise to meet ours. “She will be staying on here so that I can keep an eye on her and make sure she is as comfortable as possible. She has no surviving family left.”
The group falls silent. We know that’s code for Gloria is dying… alone.
Dr. Stanton fakes a smile and heads into the room. He smiles broadly as he sees the frail, little old lady in her bed.
“How is my favorite patient today?” He smiles as he picks up her hand affectionately in his.
Gloria is little, old, and frail. Her hair is completely white with a pretty curl to it and her small hand is covered in dark purple veins. She is wearing a pretty pink nightdress and has a pink clip in her hair holding her bangs back. Her face lights up when she sees him and she smiles excitedly as she takes his hand. “Hello, Dr. Stanton,” she gushes. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
He gives her a cheeky grin and squeezes her hand. “Gloria, this is my new group of interns. They are here for the next twelve months.”
Her eyes flick around to all of us and she smiles politely. “Hello.”
“Hello.” We all smile.
“How are you feeling?” he asks.
“I’m okay.” She pauses. “I would like to go home, though, please.”
He smiles harder as he pats her hand, still held firmly in his. “We have this conversation every day, Gloria. You won’t be going home anytime soon.” He picks up her chart and starts to read it.
“It’s just so boring in here, doctor.”
“Just try and relax.” He flicks the chart up to the next page as he reads on.
“Can you do something about my sight?” she pleads. “If only I could read. This is a cruel end, not being able to read.”
His eyes meet hers and he nods sadly. “Unfortunately, I can’t restore sight, Gloria. If only I could.”
A lump in my throat forms as I watch on. As an avid reader I can’t imagine anything worse than the day when my sight will no longer allow me to read. Dr. Stanton continues to read the chart. Unable to help myself, I speak up.
“What is your favorite book, Gloria?”
She looks over at us, surprised by my question.
“I’m Ashley.” I smile as I hold my hand out and gently shake her little hand.
She smiles. “Hello, Ashley.” She reaches up and cups my face in her hand. “God blessed you, my love.”
I frown. “I’m sorry?”
“You are so beautiful.”
I smile bashfully, embarrassed by her attention.
“Pride and Prejudice.” She smiles a soft, far away smile. ‘If only I could read it one more time.”
I smile as I try to block out the emotion. “That’s my favorite book, too, Gloria.”
“It’s a classic.” She rubs my cheek, and suddenly aware that eight people are looking on, I step back from the limelight. Dr. Stanton’s eyes hold mine for an extended time.
“Doctor?” Gloria interrupts.
His eyes flash to her. “Yes, Gloria.”
“I would like custard today, and not that hideous yogurt that they try to make me suffer through.”
He throws her a cheeky wink. “Are you going to be a good girl?”
She laughs mischievously. “Oh, Dr. Stanton, if only I met you sixty years ago.”