Chapter One- Another Day's End
It was the end of another hardworking, exhausting day at All Saints General Western Hospital, especially for the Emergency Department. Today they had received all eight casualties from a car crash, three seriously injured, a young man had shot two of his best mates and there had been a seemly higher amount of hypochondriacs through triage than normal. As the sun set and the shift finished, many staff walked out to their cars, looking forward to going home. Dan, a nurse there, leant thoughtfully onto a nearby fence and stared over the horizon.
It certainly had been one hectic day. Frank had been even more grumpy than usual for no apparent reason whatsoever, Vincent seemed to be in a bad mood, Charlotte had been short with him and Nelson appeared to be having some dramas of his own. Dan wondered to himself just what it would be like to have a peaceful life. Cate seemed to be stuck in the middle of some awkward love triangle and Von was having some family problems. And then, of course, there was Jess…
She walked past just now across the car park, long dark hair streaming down her back. She didn't even appear to see Dan- she seemed to be in a hurry. Dan watched thoughtfully as she let herself into her car and slowly drove away. Some days were easier than others. Jessica was one of Dan's closest colleagues and friends and they told a lot to each other, but there was one big thing Dan doubted he'd ever have the courage or bravery to admit to her. He doubted more that her feelings would be neutral or even on the same wavelength. Jess was way too good for him; she was out of his league. If he actually owned up to his feelings, he would put everything to risk, especially their friendship. Dan couldn't risk that. As much as it hurt, it was much safer to watch day by day, his feelings for her never changing…
Suddenly something startled him out of his daydream. As he felt a hand on his shoulder, he turned to see none other than Jack Quade, one of his colleagues, who also worked in Emergency. His height was quite intimidating, but never less, slightly short Dan didn't feel threatened at all. For some strange reason, Jack was in a perfectly cheerful mood, a matter that no one could even begin to comprehend the reason for. He grinned and said happily: "Coming for a drink at Cougars, Dan?" Not in the mood, Dan shook his head. "Nah, not this time mate. Maybe another time." Slightly disappointed but not deterred, Jack responded with a nod of the head and hurried off quickly to ask others before they drove away. Dan seriously doubted he'd have any luck: everyone was tired, grouchy and worn down. All they'd probably feel like was takeaway, a video on the couch and then bed.
Now left alone, Dan drove home in silence, thinking about Jess. What could he do? He seriously felt like he couldn't keep it to himself any longer, but there was no way he could tell her. After all, she trusted him as a friend, and nothing more than that. It had been hard enough to see her going out with one of his best mates. Actually, it was hard to see her going out with anyone at all, especially if they didn't treat her right. He may have laughed about her ancient crush on Vincent, but secretly in his heart he wondered and almost wished: Why did it have to be Vincent? Why couldn't it be him, Dan? But she would just never like him. She saw him for what he was: childish, immature and not the slightest bit interesting or sophisticated. Little did she realise his joking antics were just to cover up his true feelings. It was all just a disguise he'd made up to hide what was really beneath.
With a sigh, Dan reached home and opened his door. He hated not having anyone to share a house with- it was so quiet and empty. After heating up a pizza and drinking a bottle of beer, Dan sat down to watch the football and was so tired and lost in thoughts that he fell fast asleep, his head buried in the pillow. It wasn't until 10.30 the next morning when the phone rang when he finally woke up.
Feeling very sleepy and a bit under the weather, the sound of Frank's angry voice was a rude wake up call. Dan held the phone away from his ear; Frank was shouting, so Dan could hear him loud and clear with the phone 30cm away from his ear. He felt really sick- his throat felt dry and his lips were cracked- he could barely breathe through his nose. He listened to Frank's ranting and carry on for some time. He couldn't really get a word in edgeways. At last, Frank yelled: "Explain yourself, Goldman! You better not have got wasted last night!"
"Frank…" Dan whispered. "Listen to me, I can barely speak. I'm sorry I didn't call you earlier but I doubt I can come into work today. I've just come over with the flu…" "Excuses, excuses!" tutted Frank. "I can not tolerate this, Goldman! One more sickie you don't bother to notify me about, you'll be out of my department, no mistakes, hear me?" "Yes Frank," Dan yawned. He then hung up. It wasn't that he didn't care; of course he didn't want to lose his job, but at the moment his head felt too heavy to think about much. He sank back into the couch, thinking mournfully just how good it felt not to be sick.