It's been two month now since I've started working at St. Thomas.
As soon as I knew that I got the job I had to look for a place to stay the same day.
I've already had a motel room for one night for the day of the interview, since it is a 5 hour drive between L.A and Charming.
Fortunately I could stay some more nights so that I could make a few appointments for viewing some properties.
And due to the fact that the rent in Charming is much more affordable than in L.A.
I could rent myself a nice little house. It even had a tiny garden!
Moving all my stuff from L.A to Charming seemed a bit complicated, though.
It was obvious that I couldn't transport all boxes on my Sportster 883.
Gosh, how I love that bike. It was midnight-blue and was going fast since 1992.
I've never been a car-driver. Didn't feel right to me. Riding a bike is like spreading your wings and fly.
Sometimes I could ride like a whole day on the highway without even recognizing that time went by.
So for my move to Charming I had to order a removal company. A bit pricey but the only possible way.
I was happy as I noticed that I was assigned to the neonatal surgery which was Tara's ward.
Working with her actually made a lot of fun and I could say by how she operated that she was a hell of a doctor.
After every operation she took some time to explain her steps.
Why she had used that stitch and why that size of nylon was better for that kind of wound.
She didn't miss the fact that I was very interested in that field and that I knew a lot of things that were far over the knowledge of a common nurse.
When she told me one day that I was very talented and asked why I knew so much I simply told her about my time in Medical School.
"But why didn't you earn your license?" She asked.
I had the feeling that I could tell her a bit more than Margaret. Within the few weeks of working together we built something like a friendship.
Nothing too close, was just the only person in that town that I got to know a bit better. And I really liked her.
"Well, that is a long, long story. Let's just say I offended the wrong kind of people. Those kind who have enough power to end your career."
I looked into her questioning eyes. "I know, that sound kind of confusing. It's just .. "
"No, it's okay. I get it. You cannot talk about it right now." She interrupted me and gently touched my hand.
"We all have our secrets. And that little honesty you shared with me is very rare in that city. Thank you". She smiled.
Though I didn't really know what to do with her words I was sure she understood.
"I have to say, I am really glad that I came here to Charming. And to find you. "
Now I smiled. I've never been comfortable by saying what I feel.
Maybe one reason why I've never had many friends. I am simply not good in building relationships.
But when I wanted to change something I have to start to let people come closer to me.
"This isn't not a love confession, is it?" She let out a laugh, and me too.
"No. Well, kind of. It just feels good to have someone who you can talk to. Like friends. That's all"
OooOooO
Sometimes operating is just a job you have to do. You don't think much about your steps because it's like driving a bike.
You never want to get too emotional by very hard cases. And in the neonatal surgery there are, of course, some sad stories.
In the case of the little Abel it was hard not to get too much emotionally involved.
His mother, a junkie, couldn't get enough of her stuff during pregnancy and now this little man had to suffer from huge damages.
Luckily he would grow up in a nice family, I thought. Every time I came to check on him his father or his grandmother were there,
When I entered his room to check on him again I spotted his grandma sleeping in an nearby armchair. So I tried to be as quiet as possible.
"Hey little man. Let's see how you're doing today" I whispered as I noted his levels from the monitor into his report.
As I heard a rustling behin me I knew I wasn't as quiet as I wanted to be. I turned around and saw that middleaged, but still very beautiful, woman get up on her leather heels.
"Sorry, I didn't want to wake you" I said with a sad smile.
"Oh, honey, it's allright. It was just a nap anyway. How's my little man holding up?" She responded tiredly.
"He's doing good. But for further information you have to ask Tara. Ehm, Dr. Knowles, I mean."
The woman recognized that I called Tara by her forename.
"Tell me, you're kinda besties with the doc?" I started to feel a bit uncomfortable as she raised an eyebrow.
Something in her voice told me that she wasn't very fond of Tara.
"Well, kind of, yes. I just moved here 2 months ago and Tara is basically the only person I know here. She is a good doctor and a good human being" I tried to hold a smile.
"Guess opinions differ." Yeah, she definitly wasn't fond of Tara. "But she made a good job with my grandson. So could you please tell her "thank you" from me? I'm Gemma. And your name was?" She reached out a hand.
"Idella. Or Ella. Sure I can do that. Though I think she would be happier to hear it from yourself, Gemma"
"Yeah, of course you do think that. I tell you something about Charming, dear. Since you all new and that.
You mess around with the wrong kind of people you don't get much respect back. Just sayin'." And by that she left the room.
Back in the cafeteria I searched for Tara and found her at a table near the window. With my coffee in the hand I sat next to her.
"Good news and kind of bad news. What do you want to hear first?" I asked her.
"Well, first enlighten me, than crush me down, please" I laughed. Though at first sight Tara doesn't seem funny she always had a good joke or pun hidden somewhere.
"Okay. The family member of a patient wanted to say thank you for your good job"
"Oh, that's nice to hear." She smiled confidently. "And now, crush me!"
" Well, that family member was a Gemma. And she sure didn't want to tell you herself.
I guess she doesn't like you that much" In her expression I could see that Tara was bugged. "You want to tell me about it?" I asked.
"There is not much to tell. I dated her son, Jax, some years ago. Well, we were a couple. First real love, you know. We both were just teenagers back then.
But it all started to become kinda complicated. He just lived a way different live than I did. With the MC and everything. I couldn't deal with that anymore.
And when I got a job offer in Chicago I took it and that was the end of that romance. I guess Gemma never really forgave me for that."
"Ok, ok. Hold on. Too much information" I held my hand up.
"You are telling me that you were dating the handsome father of little Abel? And what kind of MC are you speaking of?"
Tara let out a loud laughter. Some people even turned around to look at us.
"What? What's so funny?" I looked at here totally puzzled.
As she caught her breath Tara faced me "Wait! You really don't know about the Sons of Anarchy?
You live here for nearly 2 months, nursing Abel for 3 weeks now and you never questioned why some of his visitors are wearing cuts and arrive on motorcycles?"
The irritated look on her face was priceless. But I was sure I looked the same.
"Never really thought about it, no. I mean, what's so special about motorcycles? I mean, I love them.
But in L.A, there were a lot of bikers. So it never occurred to me that in Charming this was something "out of the ordinary" "
Shrugging my shoulders I took a large sip of coffee.
"Oh Jesus, Ella. There are a lot of things you will have to learn about that city." She looked at me as if I were some kind of puppy.
"Speaking of motorcycles. What about yours? Is the tyre still flat? Aren't you tired of driving by bus?"
Thinking of my little Sportster I got a bit sentimental "Yes and yes. I have to fix it soon.
You don't happen to know a place where I can get it repaired?"
Again Tara laughed loudly. "Well, time you meet the sons, then"
I still didn't get.
GUESS WHO WE WILL MEET IN THE NEXT CHAPTER ;)
I'M HAPPY TO READ SOME REVIEWS :)
