Authors Note:
I would like to dedicate this chapter to the snow day from work. Again this chapter deals with Domestic Violence/Child Abuse, so if that is a triggering subject please proceed with caution. I would love you to comment on what you have been liking about these rewrites.
Yarrow
Lilly POV
(December 15th, 2002)
Today was the day.
The day I had worked so hard for, the day I had spent years dreaming about. It was the first day I got to step into Forks Community Hospital as a registered nurse.
Clinical's were hell, everyday was grueling and trying, but I knew that it was preparing me for the life I had chose. Preparing me to tackle the difficulties that would come up during my time as a nurse. Not many of my classmates had made it through, finding that they couldn't keep up or that this was not what they had been expecting. But to those who had made it through clung together and formed a close bond. We leaned on each other, comforting each other through our breakdowns, supporting each other and reminding us that we in-fact can do it.
It wasn't easy, most of the nurses that I followed on rounds seemed too hostile to me due to my age. More than once I overheard the nurses talking about me and saying that I wouldn't make it, or I was too young to fully be competent. That I was only there to find a doctor to marry. But I was used to the criticism and was ready to rise above the standard that it took to be a great nurse. I let it show through my dedication and work that I was there to help my community.
The day I got my results was the happiest day of my life. I still remember the feeling of dad holding me close and whispering how proud he was. While, Leah and I partied for what seemed most of the night celebrating. Celebrating that not only that I had done it but the fact that I would have a somewhat normal schedule and we would be able to hang out more often. Every two weeks I would trade off on being morning shift to night shift working 12 hour days. Alternating weekends as well, so there would be plenty of time for us to meet up and be together again.
I slowly put on my scrubs that morning, feeling nervous, my stomach doing flip flops and twisting in on itself. "Deep breathes, Lily. You got this" I told myself repeatedly while brushing my wild hair back into a ponytail.
I was slightly sad to take off my bracelet. It held a special meaning between Leah and me that we would remain friends forever, nothing could break us apart. Whenever I was not in clinicals, I proudly wore it. Leah was able to wear hers all the time and did so. She had recently gotten a job as a secretary at Forks Family Dental. While she described it as a mostly dull job, she felt like it was the perfect job for her and her future.
She was still dating Sam, and while he hadn't proposed yet, she kept saying it was coming soon. She would say, "It's mainly a matter of time, he probably is worried that I'll say no, but I can't wait to be Mrs. Leah Uley."
I would often just nod my head in agreement.
Sam and I really hadn't had much contact since my birthday. Which I content with I didn't want another reaction like that night. Didn't want to acknowledge my body's reaction to his presence. He was an enigma for me.
Yet from the few interactions with him I learned that Sam didn't really talk about himself much or really much at all. But he seemed fine with just listening to Leah and me talking. He would probably describe the things we talked about as trivial and girl things. Yet he would still sit there and listen. When he did speak, it was like a wave of comfort that washed over me; just hearing his deep voice made me feel safe.
I couldn't explain the feelings that arose just from his voice, but I knew it was dangerous, it scared me. So I pushed those feeling aside, storing them in the back of my brain in a box that would never be opened.
I shook my head, there is no time to be focusing on that. It was time to get ready for the day. My shift for the next two weeks was the morning shift, more than likely because the morning shift was usually easiest to deal with in terms of emergencies. Not to say that the shift wasn't busy but it was typical to see less serious patients. But still, I needed to be on my game.
I knew I would make mistakes, every new nurse does, but I would learn from those mistakes. Like my professors had stated over and over again, experiences were the best way to learn, there was only so much you could learn from a book. The work I had been doing during clinical's had started to help with breaking me in, there were still so many things that I had yet to learn.
Making sure I had everything straight and grabbing my stethoscope, I headed down the stairs to have my usual cup of coffee. As I finally made it downstairs, I saw dad doing the same thing.
"Good morning, dad," I said with a bright smile.
He turned to me with a smile and responded to my greeting, "Good morning Lily, you ready to start your first day at the hospital."
"I'm as ready as I can be," I said, reaching for my favorite mug.
"What time do you have to be there."
"I have to be there at 6'clock sharp, so I can be on time for the daily staff meeting. So I have about an hour and a half." I said placing my stethoscope on the table and went to fill my cup, it seemed that dad had brewed it a bit earlier, so it was the perfect temperature. Which was good because I, honestly, didn't feel like burning my tongue this morning. "When did you get up?"
"Oh, I've been up for about an hour. Didn't want to miss see my little girl getting up and seeing her off." Dad responded, pulling on my ponytail.
I chuckled and set my mug on the table. "Dad you didn't have to do that, I'll be back tonight, and we can have a nice dinner to celebrate. I was planning on picking up some steak and potatoes on my way home."
"Can't I be excited for my Lily Pad's first day, besides I've always enjoyed our early morning talks. Also, steak and potatoes sound amazing. But if you wanna make something else that's okay too." He said with his gruff voice while going to sit down at the table. He knew that although I did enjoy steak and potatoes, my heart would always belong to pasta. I pretty much devoured it within seconds when I made it.
Sitting down across from him, I took a deep sip of the coffee, letting the caffeine absorb into my bloodstream to help me fully wake up. "No, I'm actually craving steak and we haven't had it in awhile," I said.
Dad nodded then asked, "Are you nervous about today?"
"I would be lying if I said no, I know I can do it but still I'm afraid of messing up horribly," I responded with a shake of my head.
"That's normal Lily Pad. I felt the same when I took up the role of Chief. But I believe in you, we all believe in you. You're going to have bad days but you will find bright moments in those times. As long as you never forget the reason why you became a nurse, you'll do just fine." Dad said taking my hand in his and giving it a comforting squeeze.
I took a deep breath, letting his words settle deep within my heart and nodded.
We stayed at the table and talked a little but mainly just enjoying each other's company. It had been like this since I entered my college classes. Dad and I would often get up early and just have a moment to ourselves.
Dad seemed to know that one day I would move out and that these little moments would be gone. So, he tried to make these moments last.
I barely noticed time slipping, but just being content in the silence. But I would occasionally glance at the clock. I didn't want to be late, it would set a bad first impression, and I liked to pride myself on always maintaining a professional air when working. It was one of the way I tried to show that I was serious about my role as a nurse.
When the clock hit 5:30, I grabbed both mine and dad's empty coffee cups and placed them in the sink. Dad immediately went and put on his gun belt, and I slipped on my brand new lavender Cloves and black NorthFace jacket. Another gift from my dad for finishing nursing school.
"Well, I'll see you tonight. Love you. Be safe." I said while opening the door and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Good luck today Lily Pad. Love you too," Dad said while grabbing his keys off the little rack we kept them.
I tried to avoid most of the rain while rushing to my car. While I loved Forks' climate and typical weather, it didn't mean I enjoyed getting wet. I was still surprised that it hadn't turned to snow and ice covering the road, but I was thankful than it hadn't. Turning the car, I basked in the heat that came out of the air vents.
Pulling my car out of the driveway, I felt the nerves come roaring back. "Will I be good enough, or will I make a fool of myself?" These thoughts whirled around my head for the full 30 minutes, making my stomach twist and turn, making me feel like I was going to hurl up my cup of coffee. I just kept reminding myself that I will be fine, I've studied hard and I had an idea of what today might entail. I can deal with anything, I just had to believe I can.
While I don't predict to always come across large scale incidents automatically in this sleepy town, they did sometimes happen, and I must be prepared for anything.
Finally arriving at my destination, I gazed at the building. You wouldn't be able to tell it was a hospital just from the outside, but it suited our tiny town. It wasn't large and looming but rather quaint and small. Some people were shocked we had a hospital at all due to the small population, but it was necessary and a welcome sight to the community. Along with a small emergency department, we also held several outreach programs, which I know our town prided on. Giving back and helping each other was something this town breathed.
After pulling into the staff parking lot, I stepped out of my car, took a deep breath, and steeled my mind. I can do this, I will not be afraid.
I entered the building, my hands shaking as I walked up to the charge nurse, Mrs. Thomson. A shorter plump woman with grey eyes that wrinkled and with dark brown hair that was slightly greying. I felt somewhat intimated, but I resolved myself by remembering that most of these people have known me my whole life. But then I only started worrying again. "What if they only saw me as that small child with pigtails, crying hysterically, after braking her arm trying to surf the first time?"
"Calm Lily, you must stay calm," I said to myself. As if hearing my internal monologue, Mrs. Thomas turned around and gave me a bright smile.
"Hello, Liliana, we're so glad you're here. You're a little early for the meeting, but that's just fine, it's better to be early than late. You'll be shadowing Carol for the day. She'll show you where everything is, and go over basic hospital policy." She said in her comforting honey smooth voice. "Oh, there she is now." Mrs. Thomas waved a tall woman with dirty short blonde hair over; I remembered her as the woman who helped me when I was 10 and got a particularly nasty strain of the flu.
"Thank you, Mrs. Thomas," I said with a slight smile.
"No, Mrs. Thomas dear, you're now one of us and a full-grown adult yourself. So, it's just Helen." She said, putting a reassuring hand on my shoulder and turning her attention back to the charts.
"Well, look who it is, Liliana Swan. You've gone and grown all up. I'm so happy you've decided to join us here at the hospital, just like you said you would. I know that you'll be a great addition to the staff." Carol said while giving me a hug. I smiled her, her words had made some of my fears go away, mainly those of my feelings that I wouldn't fit in.
"Thanks, Carol, I'm excited to be shadowing you today. I hope I don't get in your way too much." I said with a slightly nervous smile.
Carol must have noticed my nervousness and smiled back "You'll do fine. We all have full faith in you."
A slightly stern but kind sounding voice came through the air and said, "Alright, everyone, team meeting." I looked up to see Doctor Miller strutting to the center of a circle that had been formed without me noticing. I quickly found myself joining everyone and giving my full attention to the man.
"I would like to take a moment and have us all welcome Miss Liliana Swan to our team. Liliana, welcome to the family. If you need anything, just know that your hospital family will be there to help, so don't be afraid to reach out." A round of claps went around the room, and all I could do was stare at the floor and blush.
When the clapping had died down, he then stated, "Furthermore, I know this may come as a shock to many of you, but I have decided to retire and will be leaving after the new year. A new doctor, Doctor Carlisle Cullen, has been hired, and will start on the 2nd. I've read about some of his work and papers he's published, and I must say he is highly skilled and intelligent. He will be a wonderful addition to the hospital."
I was shocked, Doctor Miller had worked here for years, He was the one who delivered me and then my sister, after all. But the tight rope in my stomach slightly unraveled knowing that I wouldn't be the only new face to the hospital. Although I was sure that the new doctor would have more practice, but still, it would be nice to not be the new person for all that long.
Letting the voices settle down, he continued, "Well then, I hope we all have a good shift, and of course, let's do our best." With that said, he turned and headed to the first patient of the day.
"Come on Liliana, let's get to it," Carol said as she began to walk briskly to the first patient that we needed to check on.
I smiled. I could do this.
The day felt like it was moving at a fast pace. Carol was always doing something between checking her pager, writing paperwork, checking on and in patients, and filling medications; she never skipped a beat. I stood back and let her do most things, just getting used to being in the new environment.
Yet, my head was spinning with all the things too I needed to keep track of, but I felt the world come into realignment when Carol turned to me and asked, "Want to take over this patient? I'll watch you."
"Are you sure?" I stuttered.
"More than sure, Liliana. It's a simple case, something you probably have plenty of practice in. Besides you need to get your feet wet. You're not diving off into the deep end just yet, but taking a step towards it."
Too afraid that I would squeak, I nodded my head and grabbed the patients chart. Quickly reading over it, I headed into the patient's room.
"Hello, my name is Liliana, I'll be your nurse today," I said as I stepped into the room.
"Well, if it isn't Little Swan, It's been ages since I've seen you." A wheezy voice called to me. I smiled, it was Mrs. Green from the library. She was about 65 with long grey hair and light brown eyes. When I was younger I would make dad take me twice a week to the library to get books to read and learn from.
"Hello, Mrs. Green. I see on your charts that you've been diagnosed with severe pneumonia. I'm going to take a quick listen to your lungs and see how their responding to the antibiotics." I responded as I stepped closer to her.
"You have gotten so beautiful, especially with that long strawberry blonde hair and those smoky grey eyes. Your poor dad must be beating away the boys with a bat or with that gun of his." She laughed as much as she could before beginning to cough.
I smiled at the women, "Wouldn't know Mrs. Green I've been too focused on getting my nursing degree." Placing my stethoscope over her chest, I began to listen to her lungs while I instructed her to breathe.
"Now, Little Swan, a girl of your age, should be focusing on finding a good man. How about my grandson, Richard. He's quite handsome and he's studying to be a lawyer up in Seattle. He a little older but I can give you his number, I'm sure he'd be more than happy to take you on a date." She continued on in a weak voice.
"Really, Mrs. Green. It's fine, I'm happy focusing on work now, I'm sure I'll find the right guy sooner or later. Besides, life also seems to like to throw curveballs, so there's no reason to worry about it. It'll happen when it happens." I said while stepping back. "I'm sorry to say that you'll be here a little longer, your lungs are still filled with plenty of fluid and I along with Doctor Miller want them to be clearer before we discharge you."
"That's alright, you don't control my body, Little Swan. I have full faith that you along with everyone here will get me back in tiptop shape." She replied giving me a smile.
"You're still set on antibiotics for awhile but I'll be back to hook another bag up before the end of my shift. If you need anything please feel free to hit the call button."
"Take your time, I'll be here."
I turned to look at Carol, and she had a bright smile, as we stepped out of the room, she patted my shoulder, "Good job, Liliana, you did well, now why don't we head to the next patient."
"Right," I said, and I followed Carol to the next room.
After that, the nerves seemed to disappear, and Carol continued to let me take a more active role in her day. She was content to watch me and help me when I made mistakes.
Time seemed to move quickly, I barely registered when it was time to eat and take a break, but it was exhilarating. It was slightly jarring to work on people I knew from the community, but they always greeted me with a smile and were thankful that I had come to help them, often recounting my interactions with them while I was treating them. There were a few new faces people who had recently moved in, and I had yet to know but they still were friendly and had at least heard of my father.
It was close to the time for me to clock out when I found myself checking on Mrs. Green again.
"Hello again, Little Swan. It's good to see you. Oh, Gerald, this is Liliana Swan, can you believe it. She's the one who's been looking after me." Mrs. Green said. She sounded better, a little less wheezy than when I checked on her this morning.
Mr. Green turned to me and, with a crocking voice, said, "Oh my, Liliana you sure have grown up. Why I remember you coming into my bait shop when you were knee-high. You were always so grossed out by the worms. But I guess you have gotten over the squirminess being a nurse and all."
"I guess you're right, Mr. Green. Anyway, I'm just here to give Mrs. Green her next antibiotic drip." I replied, while I worked on replacing and connecting the new bag of antibiotics to her IV.
"I just wanted to say thank you, dear, for looking after me today. You've done a wonderful job. I can already feel my strength returning to me." Mrs. Green said, placing her hand on mine.
"Why, thank you, Mrs. Green. I'm also glad you are feeling a bit better, but it'll be a bit longer till you can go home." Squeezing her hand. "Well, I'll see you in the morning, your night nurse should be in soon to check on you," I said, giving her a smile.
"Okay, dear, I'll see you in the morning. Tell your father, I say hello." She said while closing her eyes, letting the medication set in.
I gave Mr. Green a nod and headed out to retrieve my belonging from the locker room. I saw Carol doing the same when she turned to me and said
"Well, Liliana, your first shift as a nurse is over. How do you feel?"
I smiled and replied, "I feel tired but not at the same time. I feel like I've been in a tornado but safe in the eye of the storm. Most of all, I feel accomplished, and I can't wait to come back tomorrow."
"Good, those were my same feelings on my first shift, all those years ago. You'll soon be standing on your own, and when all else fails, just know everyone believes in you here." She commented while grabbing her stuff and heading out the door. Turning back to say, "Now go and celebrate, just don't party too hard, you do have to be here early."
Chuckling in response, "Oh, I won't, Dad and I just planned a nice dinner at home and then off to bed I'll be going."
I slowly walked to my car, enjoying the chill of the fresh night air. The rain had stopped for a brief period and while there were no stars due to the fog but there was a sense of peace.
Lily POV
(January 2nd, 2003)
I was cursing Leah today. Why had I let her convince me to drink last night? Sure it was New Year, and I was lucky I had the night off. But I should have realized that even though I had the day to sleep off most of the hangover, the head splitting headache would still be there during my shift.
So here I am with a headache and about to enter the hospital that had extremely bright white lights and loud noises. I sighed; nothing I can do about it now, tonight I'll just have to push through it.
I parked my car in it's normal spot in the staff parking lot and noticed that there was a shiny brand new black BMW. It honestly stood out like a sore thumb against the rest of the staff's cars.
Oh, right, the new doctor starts today.
Great, I get to make a first impression with tiny jackhammers going off in my head. Sighing, there's nothing I can do but put on a brave and cheery face. I ran to the entrance hoping to stave off getting drenched.
Walking to the locker room, I kept hearing whispers.
"Did you see him, he looks like a god."
"Why is someone like him has to be married."
"It's always the good looking ones that are taken."
"Think my husband would mind if I left him for that man, I mean he would understand right?"
"I swear he looked at me, and my heart stopped."
"What wouldn't I do to be his wife, hell even his mistress would be okay with me."
I was slightly shocked; obviously, the comments were about this new doctor. His presence shaking up the whole female staff, I couldn't believe someone could be that handsome that they cause a frenzy.
Placing my things in the locker, I stared at the pictures of dad and me and another one of Leah and me, I smiled. They were my biggest supporters, and it was only right that I kept their pictures in my locker. I closed my locker and headed to Helen to get my assigned patients to only see her whispering to Carol.
I walked up to the desk and cleared my throat. They jumped spooked and looked around quickly to make sure it wasn't the new doctor catching them talking about him.
"Oh, Lily, it's only you. Thank god" Helen rushed out
"Well, I know it's going to be an interesting shift when someone says it's only you," I laughed out.
"Hush, you'll be in the same boat when you catch a glimpse of Doctor Cullen." Carol accused while wagging her finger.
I continued to laugh, "No man is that handsome."
"He is no man, He is a god," Helen stated with a blush. I was shocked. I have never seen Helen blush in my life and the entire time of working with her.
"If you say so, anyway, who are my patients for the night," I said, catching my breath from laughing.
Helen passed me their charts while saying getting back to her professional tone "There's Mrs. Jackson, 56, who came in this morning talking about chest pain, we've kept her overnight to monitor her. Mr. Smith, 78, whose here with kidney stones. Miss Miller whose got alcohol poisoning, from a New Years Part. But, we've got her monitored and started treatment. Finally, the first patient you should see is a young boy by the name of Joseph Williams, age 8, he has a suspected broken arm, this is the 3rd he's been here, and poor dear can't catch a break. He needs an x-ray, and then Doctor Cullen can see where to go."
I nodded my head, "Got it, anything else I should be prepared for, you know other than heart-stopping doctors. Good thing this is a hospital."
"Stop mocking us, Lily," Carol snapped, going to smack me in the hip with her charts.
"Off I go then," sliding away from the two gossiping women.
I hurried down the hallway to room 202 while checking over his chart. 6 months ago, he came in with a broken ankle, apparently from skateboarding down the street. 3 months ago, with a fractured nose from flying over his bike after breaking too hard. Now he's been admitted for a suspected broken arm from falling out of a tree.
Stepping into the room, I immediately lock eyes on a painfully frail woman sitting in the chair next to the exam table, this must be the boys mother. She looked as if a strong wind would blow her over and break her in two. Her eyes were dead; no emotion was in them, but there were tear tracks. However she wasn't focused on her son but on the hulking man who stood beside her. His eyes and body language indicted that he wanted to be anywhere but here. There was also a hidden rage in those eyes, it scared me. But I turned my attention to my patient. The little boy who also held the same dead look in his eyes as his mother. He looked too small for his age and he seemed to jump when I walked into the room.
"Hello, my name is Nurse Swan. Please feel free to call me Nurse Lily. I'm here to take Joey to get his x-ray," I said, looking at the mother.
"How long is this shit going to take, we've been here for 30 minutes already. It's just a broken bone." The man huffed.
I caught myself startled at the man's response, nothing like the worry a father or someone would normally would have when their child was injured. "I'm sorry Mr. Williams, it was just change of shift but it shouldn't be long." I said in my best calming voice.
"I could give less of a fuck. Just hurry and do your job. I wanna get out of here. Also, it's not Mr. Williams, it's Allen. Get it straight." The man responded with a growl.
I bit back a response, "I apologize then," turning to the mother and asking, "Do I have your consent to take Joseph to get his x-ray."
In an almost whisper, she responded, "Yes, thank you. Joey, can you go with the lady."
"Yes, mom," he said in the same level of volume as his mother. He jumped down off the exam table and practically ran away from the man who stood beside him.
"Come with me then," I said walking slowly in front of him.
I decided not to make any sudden movement. The boy looked scared and skittish about every noise. My feelings about what had happened to the boy and his mother began to darken. I would have to bring up my suspicions to someone as soon as I got a chance. I hoped I was wrong but my gut told me I wasn't.
We slowly arrived at the x-ray room, and I lead him into the room. I checked his clothes, and they appeared to be fine enough to where he wouldn't have to take off his shirt to take the x-ray.
Taking my time, I began to explain what was going to happen. "Okay, Joey, I'll lower the table and have you get on it. Then I'm going to put on this lead vest across your chest and stomach. After that I'm going to go behind that wall, you'll still be able to see me and when I tell you you're going to have to be very still and hold you're breath. Can you do that for me?"
"Okay," he said very quietly, not raising his eyes from the floor.
"Good, now go on and lie down," I said, giving him a reassuring smile.
We slowly got the x-rays and after headed back to the room. I told them it would only be a few minutes, and I'll be back with Doctor Cullen, and we'll discuss the results. To which Mr. Allen swore and told me to "Hurry my ass," and that he was going out to grab a smoke. As he passed me out the room he shoved my shoulder and made me stumble to regain footing.
As soon as he exited the room, Miss Williams gave Joey a hug and whispering something in his ear. She held onto him as if in a moments notice he would disappear. The boy looked older in that moment, clinging onto his mother and taking his small hands to rub her back, as if she was the one in pain and he needed to be the one to comfort her. I had to whip my head around to give myself a second to recompose myself.
"I'm sorry for the delay, I'll be back as soon as possible with the doctor. But in the mean time is there anything I can get you, perhaps some water?"
Joeys mother took a deep breath, "some water would be great. Thank you."
I tried to give my best reassuring smile, "it's no problem. I'll have someone in with that soon."
I walked out the room and to the x-ray developing room and started to develop the film. The fracture was a classic example of a greenstick fracture, a fracture when the bones actually bend and then cracks instead of cracking into separate pieces. It was profoundly painful. But the boy showed no outward signs that he was in pain. I decided to try and find Doctor Cullen as soon as possible so I could discuss my suspicions and the best way to move forward.
Sighing, I was so deep into my thoughts that I wasn't paying attention where I was going till I slammed into what seemed like a brick wall. Falling down from the sudden impact, I didn't have time to register what had happened.
A deep and extremely enchanting voice spoke up from what seemed like the heavens, "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry, are you alright, miss."
Looking up, I saw what seemed like an angel staring down at me. He was tall with blonde, almost white hair and a sharp angular face. But what really drew me in was his eyes, his deep amber eyes. I had never seen such color, and it was stunning. I must have taken longer than I realized to respond because suddenly, he was crouched down beside me, looking over my head, making sure I didn't receive some kind of head trauma with the force that hit me.
"Miss, are you alright?" He asked again, even his smell was addicting.
Speak dammit, I said to myself. But for some reason, my body would not react, it wanted to stay frozen staring at him forever. A minute later, I finally found the strength to speak.
"Oh … Umm …. Yes. I'm perfectly fine, just a little jarred. It was my fault I wasn't paying attention. Are you alright?" I asked.
"I'm perfectly fine, Miss. It was my fault as well, I also wasn't paying attention. If I might ask, what is your name? It's only fair to know after I ran you over." He started laughing at the end, and I swore that I heard bells chiming.
"I'm Nurse Liliana Swan. But, call me Lily everyone does. I'm guessing you are Doctor Cullen." I stuck out my hand to shake his. I now know why everyone was in such a tizzy. This man was a god.
"You would be correct. It's nice to formally meet you, Lily. Please call me Carlisle. I've only heard positive comments about you since I've arrived. I am quite pleased to work with you now and in the future." He grasped my hand and pulled me up. I was jarred by the temperature difference. It felt like an ice block. I summed it up to poor circulation and the almost freezing temperature of the hospital. "Well, again sorry for knocking you down, but I'll let you go on with your night."
"I was actually going to try and find you in a bit. I need to talk to you on the Williams case." I said with a solemn face.
He was perplexed by my face "Oh is there anything new arising that needs my immediate attention. From the in take charts, it looks as if it is just a simple broken arm."
I shook my head "It is more than that, at least I believe. I have no proof, and a thorough exam might shed more light. But due to his and his mother's mannerism and thin frames and the fact that he's been seen here multiple times, I suspect there is abuse going on in the home. Not to mention the man they arrived with has all my alarm bells going off." I took a deep breath, "I know that I haven't been a nurse long enough to definitely say that it's true, but something feels wrong, and perhaps I'm overly cautious, but something is going on with them and I can't in good conscious let them go home just yet."
Carlisle gave me a quick nod "I was also hoping you would find something wrong. From the history questions, they've only lived here for 6 months but this is the 3rd time we've seen him for some kind of fracture. I don't doubt you're feelings."
I was shocked "He's only been here about 6 months, he was seen for the first time 6 months ago. My sister, whose supposedly extremely clumsy, can go 6 months without spraining or breaking something. He also has a greenstick fracture and is showing no visible signs of pain, even though it is excruciating." This raises more questions in my mind, and I wanted answers, especially if it meant helping the little guy and his mother, they looked so sad and dead inside.
"I'll go review the x-rays, then we'll talk about the best plan to get them to help if we are correct. My wife knows several charities that help abused women, and I know their numbers so I can give them to the mother," Carlisle said while quickly walking to go and review the film.
"My father is chief of police, so I'll be calling him if I have to report. He's on duty tonight anyway. He'll be sure to help them in any way he can."
"Good, we have our bases covered. If the worse be proven true." He said
I walked back into the room again Joey was sitting on the table just staring blankly at the floor while his mom was holding herself as if she was going to burst at the seams. But Mr. Allen was pacing around the room, his form shaking with anger.
He stalked towards me, "Were the fuck is the doctor? Cause you obviously aren't him."
I backed up trying to put some space in-between us. "He's reviewing the x-rays now and should be here any moment."
"Bullshit, you're just wasting our time." He said getting in my face. But at the sound of footsteps growing closer he backed up, returning to his spot besides Joey.
"Hello, Miss. Williams, Joey. I'm Doctor Cullen." He walked to place the x-ray on the lit-up board that would how Miss Williams and Joey exactly what is going on.
Miss Williams had the exact same expression as most of the women that had seen him today. One pondering how such a man existed in this life. But this look did not go unnoticed from Mr.
Allen as he clamped his hand down on her shoulder.
"As you can see, Joey here has cracks along his forearm, and they will easily break further if we don't place a cast and allow them to heal. I'm going to need Joey to roll his shirt up to his elbow."
Both mother and son seemed apprehensive. While, Mr. Allen grew red, "Why?"
"We can't very well put the cast over a shirt, now can we. Is there a reason why you don't want us to see his arm." I sneered before my brain could tell me that I should have let Carlisle deal with it.
A sharp smack rang through the room and my face radiated with pain.
"You need to shut the fuck up. Know your fucking place."
Carlisle was there in an instant, getting in-between us. His body blocking mine.
"Sir, I'm going to ask you once to leave. If you raise another hand to my nurse, I will call the police."
Mr. Allen must have realized that he was no match for the blonde doctor. He turned to Joeys mother and simply growled, "I'll see you at home."
Her face went white and she nodded her head once.
"Are you alright Lily?" Carlisle asked while moving my face side to side to see the damage.
"I'm fine."
Joeys mom quietly spoke up, "I'm sorry, he … he's not normally like that."
I wanted to cry, not from the pain in my face but from the broken hollow voice that came out of the woman. The lie she forced herself to believe. "Miss Williams, it's alright. Don't worry about me. Let's get Joey seen to." I said kindly, setting her focus back on her son.
"Joey could you please roll up your sleeve for me." Carlisle said again softly.
They went ramrod straight. Like they knew, the instance that his shirt was rolled up we would see only a small extent damage but still enough that would expose their secrets. Joey looked at his mother and with shaky hands began to roll up his sleeve, and the sight I saw made me want to instantly cry. Around his wrist was a large handprint mark, too large to be a woman's with several healing bruises further up. There were also scars of cigarette burns that riddled his arm.
Carlisle was the first to speak up and, in a very serious but caring tone, asked, "Joey, how did these marks happen?"
Before Joey could speak, his mother tried to chime in, when suddenly Joey turned to her and said in a voice older than he had a right to be, "Mom, it's time. It's time we get help. Time to stop living like this."
Miss Williams looked like a scared animal but looking at her son her panic state relaxed. For the first time in what was probably a long time, gave a small watery smile to her son."I know my love, I'm sorry for everything. I've been a terrible mother to you. I wasn't able to protect you."
"You had no choice, mom, besides you're suffering too. I want to protect you too." Joey chimed in a watery voice.
"I'm guessing that means these wounds and perhaps your previous ones were not accidental as you claimed?" Carlisle said soothingly.
Miss Williams slowly nodded, "I know it was wrong to lie on the forms, but I felt that we had no choice. I didn't want Joey to be taken from me. I was scared to report the abuse under the same reason. It's been 10 years that I have been being abused by my boyfriend, Scott Allen." Her eyes turn frantic, "Please tell me I won't lose him. He's my reason for living. He's my world." She started pleading.
I could hear the heartbreak in her voice. It took everything in me to not break my professionalism. I wanted nothing but to wrap her and her son in a hug. But decorum must be kept in such a serious matter.
"I have no say in what will happen, but as you have confessed to the abuse both me and Nurse Swan will have to file a report. It would look better for you to come forward when the police come to collect the report and be honest about both your son and your suffering. For now, let's treat Joey's break, and then Nurse Swan will ask for the police to come." Carlisle stated this information in a kind but an honest voice. "Nurse Swan, if you could go and get the casting kit."
"Of course, Doctor Cullen. I'll be back in a moment." I replied as I headed out the door.
I took a deep breath; nothing had truly prepared me for this moment. Yes, we had studied what to do when abuse cases come through our doors, but I had never expected to face one so soon. I was shocked; she was willing to tell us. From what I had read, it was tough to get victims to admit that there is a problem. But for some reason, Carlisle's presence just seemed to put everyone at ease and make it look like everything would be okay. I hoped one day I would have the same presence. I grabbed the kit and went back to the room. Mrs. Williams had tears in her eye, and I could only deduce that she was telling Carlisle more information that she could help him file the report.
"I'm back with the kit, Doctor Cullen," I said
"Thank you, Nurse Swan." He nodded back and grabbed it from my hands.
We made quick but delicate work on placing Joey's cast on and making sure everything was set right. After all, it was said and done. I turned to Carlisle.
"I'll go call Chief Swan and come here to get a report." I said while walking to the door.
"Chief Swan, Is he related to you?" Miss. Williams asked.
"Yes, he is my father. He will help you any way he can. He is a kind man." I said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. Then heading to the front desk.
"Helen," I said, stepping up to the desk.
"Oh lord Lily! What happened to your face?" She gasped, apparently there was a mark, but my well-being wasn't what we needed to be focusing on.
"Helen, We have an abuse case could you call Chief Swan to come and collect the report. The mother is going to file charges."
"Oh, don't tell me it's that young boy," Helen replied with a shocked voice.
I responded with a quick but solemn nod. "Him and his mother."
"Alright, I'll call him right away," Helen said with a saddened tone. No one wanted to place that call.
Carlisle walked out of the room and started heading over to where I was, I met him halfway.
"The cast is set, I've left them alone to give them time together before Chief Swan arrived," Carlisle said with a quiet voice.
"He'll be here soon, the station isn't that far down the road. I should probably go and check on my other patients." I said, grabbing their charts.
Carlisle nodded, "I'll go with you; several of them are mine and would like to check on them also."
Walking to the first person, "Sounds fine to me."
It was silent. I was still focusing my whole mind on the Williams case, it consumed me. As if he could read my mind and wanted me to come back to reality, he spoke.
"You said you have a sister, is she also going into the medical field?"
"I wouldn't know, she lives with our mother in Phoenix. I haven't seen or talked to her since she was two." I replied
"Oh, why not," he said with a questioning tone, not meaning to be mean but to honestly wanting to know.
"Yes, Renée took her when she was 2 and left me with my dad. When I was 12, my dad and Renee decided that Bella would come here to Forks once a year during the summer, and I would go to Phoenix, so our paths never have crossed. She decided this summer that she wouldn't come here anymore, so I stayed here and finished up my nursing degree. I feel that something will come soon to help us become close, but it's still a long way out." I said with a monotone voice. Talking about my past always made me uncomfortable, I didn't want other people's pity. "Is it always this hard?"
"I wish I could say it gets easier. But I cannot. Some cases will always stick with you, they'll be the cases that you go home at night and think about making it almost hard to sleep. But, what soothes me is that we are there making a difference in their lives, even if all we can do is treat their physical pain. But it is never right to steel your heart against these cases. Empathy is the most important feeling we can have as healthcare professionals." Carlisle said while placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"I understand, Thank you," I said, grabbing his hand and giving it a squeeze. Again I was meet with the freezing temperature. Something with this man set me on edge but I just didn't know what.
