Chapter 11
Sara was surprised when he came in so late. He looked disheveled. His hair was floppier than usual and he looked tired. She overheard the conversation with his sister and wondered if Bernadette was sick. Truthfully she did not have time to dwell on it as patients were waiting.
She went to see Lily again that evening. The little one was still feeling horrid, but lit up when she saw Sara. Again Sara insisted that Christine take a break. She agreed to go downstairs where her husband and older daughter were having a bite. Lily asked Sara to sing to her again and she did. Sara made a mental note to find some new songs to sing. She sat with her until her family came back. Lily's sister looked just like her, but with an older face. Older not because of her years, but because of her experiences. Sara told her she was so glad to meet her and she saw a faint smile.
"I'd be happy to stay with Daphne one evening so you both can be here," Sara offered.
"I don't need a babysitter," she announced.
"Oh I know that. I thought you might like a friend," Sara smiled at her.
"Maybe," she responded.
Sara knew what it was like to be thirteen and hurting. She was just shy of thirteen when her mother died. She was sad and lonely. She had her father and her brother, Billy, but they were just as sad as she was. Oh well that was a long time ago, she thought.
On Thursday evening, she visited again.
"Sara you came!"
Lily was sitting up and feeling better. Christine on the other hand looked worse.
"Are you sleeping at all?" Sara asked.
"A little. She is scheduled for scans. We are going to find out if all this treatment is working."
"When?" Sara asked.
"On Monday. Then we'll have a meeting with all the doctors."
On Friday morning, Dr. Turner called her into his office. "I wanted to talk about our schedule. As you know our surgery is not open this weekend. You are free."
"I've already got my shifts," she answered.
He nodded and continued, "Emily, our Physician's Associate will be back on Monday. A bit part time to start. Emily will take my appointments on Monday afternoon. I've a meeting at hospital."
"About Lily?"
"Yes, I was thinking that you could go over as well and sit with her while her parents are in the meeting," he said.
"I would like that we've become quite good friends," Sara replied.
"So I've heard. Well then time to start our day."
Sara spent the weekend on the cardiac ward. It was not her favorite place, but she needed to work. She popped in on Lily every chance she got.
On Saturday at the end of her shift, Christine asked if she might want to stay with Daphne for a few hours that evening.
"Of course. That is if Daphne is alright with it," Sara replied.
They made plans that Sara would bring a pizza for them to share. Christine offered her money, but she refused. They lived in a cute little flat just around the corner from her dingy one. Daphne was polite, but unsure.
Sara started the conversation by asking, "Did your Mum tell you how I met Lily."
"Ya, Dr. Turner."
"I am his student."
"Aren't you too old to be a student?"
"I am already a nurse, but I am studying for a new job."
"Oh. Where are you from?" Daphne asked.
"Scotland."
"I could tell that you sound different."
"Yes, I am told that a lot."
"This pizza is good. Thank you," Daphne warmed a bit.
"Daphne, I wanted to tell you that I know what it's like when unexpected things happen. My life was turned upside down when I was about your age."
"What happened?"
"My mum got sick."
"Did she die?"
"Yes," Sara responded softly.
"Do you think Lily will die?"
"I don't know...I hope not," Sara answered.
"Mum says we're gonna find out on Monday. I don't want to go to school, but she says I should."
"Dr. Turner asked me to stay with Lily during the meeting."
"Good she won't be alone," Daphne said quietly.
They sat in silence for awhile. Then Daphne said, "It's hard enough with Lily being sick, but Mum is never here."
"I know she feels horrible about that," Sara responded, she paused and added, "I wish there was a way to make everything magically better."
After they'd eaten and had talked enough. They decided to watch a film. Daphne suggested her favorite Princess Diaries and Sara had never seen it so they settled down together. Both were glad for the escape. Sara toss and turned that night. Daphne was so scared and vulnerable and reminded her of herself. It was easy to shut her eyes and go right back to the sorrow of losing her mother.
She was tired on Sunday and back on the cardiac ward. Why are men such wankers? Half of them tried grabbing her anytime she came near. Then there were the cath lab patients so she needed to check their groins. She would be happy is she never had to see another penis, ever!
She stopped by to see Lily on her way out.
"Thank you for staying with Daphne. She had fun," Christine said.
"I did too. She is a great girl."
"You'll make a wonderful mother."
"Oh no, that's not in the cards for me," Sara protested.
"You never know Mr. Right might be out there waiting for you."
She wanted to protest, especially after the men she dealt with all day, but one never knew what the future held. When Sara turned her attention to Lily she asked, "And how's my favourite patient today?"
"Better. Mummy said I might be able to go home soon. Will you come see me at home?"
"Of course I will. You're my friend."
Sara was not going to stop caring when Lily left hospital. Tomorrow they would have some answers...good or bad.