Chapter Two
I took a deep breath and walked into the Emergency Department to introduce myself to my colleagues as their new Head of Trauma. Ms Goodwin called everyone over and they all circled around the desks, this was the time. 'Good morning everyone, my name is Dr Sarah Reese, I am your new Head of Trauma,' I spoke confidently trying to mask my nerves. After a few introductions, I knew Drs Manning, Halstead, Bekker, Sexton, Latham and Choi as well as Maggie, April and Doris, their smiling faces putting me at ease.
Just as I was about to ask Maggie to explain their major incidents protocol, a rush of wind went past. It was Connor, rushing past from a surgery. 'Sorry I'm late,' his voice called out. I spun around, a small gasp leaving his voice as I turned to face him saying 'hello, I'm Dr Reese, I'll be working with you as your new Head of Trauma.' 'Hello, I'm Dr Rhodes,' he said, quickly recovering from the shock.
Before we had a chance to continue our conversation, Maggie called out 'major crash everyone, multiple patients coming through- look alive!' Everyone began getting into position, blood banks were phoned and ORs were freed up for incoming patients. Soon it was just me, Connor and Dr Bekker left in the ED, preparing bays 7-9 for surgical evaluation.
Before any of us had a chance to mentally prepare for what we were about to witness, our first patient was rushed through by the EMTs. 'Head injury and penetrating stomach wound. GCS 5, heart rate 129, 5 of morphine given on scene,' shouted out one of the EMTs. I quickly put on my gloves and checked their pupil sizes, equal and reactive luckily. Connor and Ava (as she'd asked to be called) were treating the stomach wound and discussing treatment options. I don't know why, but a surge of jealousy flooded through me as Ava touched Connor's arm and flirted with him. Was I even allowed to be jealous, I mean we were still married. Once they had been stabilised for surgery, they were sent up to the OR.
The patients just kept on coming for two hours straight. Finally, we sent our last patient up to the OR. As I peeled off my gloves and threw them into the bin, I went to the doctor's lounge to go and look for some coffee, after all I still had 10 hours left on my shift. I sat on an empty sofa, sipping at my hot coffee, when the door opened. There was a dip on the other end of the sofa, I already knew it was Connor. 'Still addicted to coffee I see,' he laughed weakly before saying 'why didn't you tell me you were coming back to Chicago Sar, I know things have been difficult between us but I still love you.' We sat there in silence for a few minutes. 'I love you too Connor, I just didn't know what to say, things haven't been the same since Amelia,' I whispered. Tears slowly trickled down my face and into my coffee mug. 'I've really missed you, I'm sorry Connor, I just couldn't stay in Chicago anymore, not with the memories.' That made him snap; 'you think that I wasn't hurting too Sarah, seriously, you left me to go to New York.' 'I didn't know what else to do, it hurt too much,' I said, sobbing now. This was not how I had planned for today to go at all. I began to walk towards the door of the doctor's lounge, to leave. As I began to walk down the now empty ED corridors, I heard Connor shout, 'I lost a daughter to Sarah, not just you.'