Another epic chapter here by themintjournal... credit where it's due :-)
X
"I cannot believe we just went through that already and our shift has technically only just started" Kevin announced as he slumped into a vacant seat in the break room, joining the other three in taking a very well deserved rest.
As soon as rounds had finished yesterday morning, they had received an urgent page that anyone and everyone who was available was to head to the Emergency Room. There had been multiple vehicle collision on the local highway that was about to cause a stream of patients to flood through those doors and they needed all hands on deck.
It had got busy quickly and they had been treating patients with all sorts of injuries for the better part of the day. They took an opportunity now to take a break after the chaos as there seemed to be a lull in new admissions and everyone from the accident was being taken care of.
"You don't need to tell me" Neil replied before pausing to take a sip of the well deserved coffee. "I was on overnight. I was just about to get out of my scrubs and clock out when we got the call. I should've been out of here hours ago."
Noticing that Audrey hadn't said much since they sat down, Jo leaned in. "You're awfully quiet. What's wrong?" she asked her friend.
"A patient of mine died" she said glumly.
"It happens Aud. I doubt it was your fault" Kevin interrupted attempting to make her feel better before even hearing why this one seemed to be bothering her so much.
"He shouldn't have" she continued. "I did all the basics, checked his ABC and he seemed fine except for some road rash and plenty of cuts and bruises. I yellow tagged him to keep him under observation until we got his scans back to make sure they were clear." she told them looking down at the table and finding her empty cup particularly interesting. "He even refused to get his wounds treated straight away, he insisted we take care of the more injured patients first, so I got a nurse to clean him up and I moved on. He died a couple hours later, he had a ruptured aneurysm, most likely from the impact of the collision. He was probably bleeding internally the whole time I was talking to him." she continued with sadness in her voice.
"Did he tell you anything that would make you think he was high risk? Did he complain about blurred vision or headaches?" Kevin asked. Audrey shook her head in response.
"Then there was nothing more you could've done. You wouldn't known anything about it until his MRI was done and the machines were backed up all day. There's no way you could've seen it coming." Neil assured her.
Jo reached for her hand, "Aud, you know how those things can be. There is just no telling when it would have ruptured even if you had known so don't do this to yourself, its not your fault." she said, trying to comfort her.
"Yeah, I know. I know all of this, but I..." Audrey sighed. "I don't know. He was so young with his whole life ahead of him. He probably had big plans then all of a sudden, he's gone." she added. It didn't look like she was coming out of this slump any time soon.
Her friends didn't know how else to respond, there were no more cliché lines they could use to try and make her feel better. This was the career they had chosen and instances like this came along with it, some would affect them more than others but they wouldn't be human if they didn't.
The heavy silence was broken as Audrey's cell phone buzzing along the table. She unlocked the screen to look at the message, dropped it back on the table and let out a sigh, slumping further into her seat.
"Everything okay?" Jo asked.
"Yeah, its just my Mom." she answered, activating the screen again for all of them to see. The picture was of her mother and some relatives enjoying a get together with a message saying 'Wish you were here!' She explained to them that her mother had gone back home on vacation for the Mid-Autumn Festival. She missed her family, especially during the holidays. Even rough, tough Audrey Lim felt a little extra homesick when she missed out on celebrating with them.
"Just when I thought this day couldn't get any worse" she said with a wry smile, trying to lift up the mood.
"Hey, at least we still have our study session later. We can get pizza from your favourite place if you like?" Kevin suggested. She did crack a smile at the thought of the four of them hanging out tonight. It seemed to cheer her up a bit.
Not even a minute later, Audrey's pager went off. "I gotta head back out there" she sighed rolling her eyes and getting to her feet. "Catch up on some sleep Neil, it's going to be a tough session tonight. I've got some great questions" she told him with a smile. "I'll see you two around this afternoon" she said to Jo and Kevin before leaving.
"I feel for her" Jo said once she was out of earshot. "She's going to beat herself up all day about that guy."
"We should probably get going and see if we're can get out if here on time for a change" said Kevin as he stood up ready to leave. "We've got rounds in ten minutes... again!"
"Wait, what if we cancel the study session and pizza?" Neil said out of the blue. He had been quiet through most of the conversation and had been studying Audrey's reactions as she spoke about her Mom and her family.
"Way to kick her when she's down, Neil. Did you not just see her?" Jo admonished.
"No, I just meant maybe we could do better" he said. After explaining his idea, both Jo and Kevin were sold with no extra encouragement needed. They thought it was brilliant. He got the spare key to Audrey's apartment from Jo and told them to check their phones for further instructions before letting them to get back to work.
Neil had a long shift the night prior, already on call overnight before the RTA started to come in. He was initially looking forward to getting some well earned rest but that was before this plan of his and now, he wanted nothing more than to execute his idea. He'd had a second wind and completely forgotten that he was tired at all.
He sat there alone a little longer doing some research and learning as much as he could in the short time he had. He left messages for Jo and Kevin with the list of stuff he needed them to bring before he left the hospital and got to work.
Jo was tasked with calling restaurants in the area to find duck for them to have instead of pizza. He knew that since it was a last-minute order, it could be difficult to find so he Googled how to make the classic Nanjing style just in case. It seemed the popular choice because of it's crispy skin and tender meat so figured he couldn't go wrong. He'd sent Kevin on the hunt for accompaniments and Neil himself was in charge of the decorations and finding the best moon cakes in town.
X
With San Jose not having an official "Chinatown" he went straight from the hospital to Cupertino to see what he could pick up. He scoured stores picking up bits and pieces he thought he might need, which was no easy task as many places didn't have much stock left this late in the day.
His most important task was buying the moon cakes and after visiting a number of bakeries with no luck, he found himself in line in Kee Wah Bakery.
"Order number please?" the shop assistant called as he stepped up to the counter. He hadn't realised this was going to be a problem, he was going to have to think on his feet.
"I...ummmm...I don't have one" he started earning himself a glare. "Sorry. Do you have any? My...errrr... girlfriend is feeling a bit home sick" he started, rubbing his hand through his hair sheepishly.
The lady behind the counter turned and walked away without a word leaving him stood with a line of people behind him sighing and mumbling. A few moments later, she returned with a small packet, wrapped carefully and she offered them with a smile.
"A few spare" she said, putting them in his hands. "She's lucky" she smiled.
"Thanks so much" Neil grinned back. Leaving the bakery loaded with bags, he picked up a sandwich for lunch and headed to Audrey's apartment.
He had even planned how they were all to tell her they wouldn't be able to make it this evening. He was first. He sent her a message saying he was exhausted after the 48 hours he just spent at the hospital and wouldn't be able to concentrate. Kevin had told a fib and said he was meeting Ju-long for a drink to catch up so she couldn't be cross at that.
"Looks like it's just you and me tonight." Audrey said to Jo when she saw her at the nurse's station as she set up to finish up her charts before the end of shift.
Jo covered the receiver end of her call and whispered "Sorry, Aud. I don't think I can make it tonight either" feeling a pang of guilt at the crestfallen look on her friends face.
"What? Why? Neil and Kevin already bailed. Not you too?" Audrey questioned her.
"Sorry, I gotta go. I need to take this." Jo responded, dodging her questions and walking away quickly before she cracked and told her everything. Little did Audrey know that Jo was on a call to her fifth restaurant to try and get some food for tonight.
"Well, there goes tonight's plans." Audrey muttered to herself as she stood there alone scribbling in her patient file with gusto. She had been looking forward this evening, but now, she got to go home to her empty apartment feeling like she failed her patient, homesick, and with no food after her shift.
X
In the meantime, Neil got to work in Audrey's apartment putting away the food he already had and making a start on putting up the decorations. He started with fairy lights along the walls of the living room and added a garland lined with mini lanterns in different colours. He had also found some Chinese paper dragons in red and gold and hung them around the room. With time to spare, he set out a sheet of paper to make an attempt some Chinese calligraphy. His brush strokes were hesitant but he just hoped for the best as he had no idea exactly what he was writing. He had Googled 'Happy Mid-Autumn Festival in Chinese characters' and just copied the lines and squiggles the best he could.
Standing back to evaluate his work, he cursed as he accidentally dripped some of the black paint onto a runner Audrey had laid into the kitchen. The others were going to be there any minute so he quickly rolled it up and leaned it in the corner out of the way.
Neil was glad to see Jo and Kevin with the pieces of the puzzle he'd assigned and they rushed to get finished before Audrey got home.
Luckily, she had been held up at the hospital a little longer than expected for a consult but didn't mind as she thought she didn't have anywhere to be. She dragged her feet up to the door of her apartment, tired after a long shift and trying to think what she might have in her fridge that she could cobble together for dinner. She was never well stocked so it would probably just be a grilled cheese sandwich.
The moment the door swung open, she almost jumped out of her skin. Her hand flew to her mouth to stifle a scream when Neil, Kevin, and Jo yelled "Zhongqiujie Kuaile!" at the top of their lungs. It took her a moment to realise what was going on and why her friends were in her apartment but when it hit her and she was almost overcome.
"How did you guys do all this?" Audrey asked with amazement. She knew they had all just worked a long, busy shifts, but somehow, they managed to put all this together.
"This was all N..." Kevin started.
"We figured you needed a little piece of home, so we picked some stuff up" Neil interrupted, throwing Kevin a look.
"After the day we've had, we all deserve this" Jo added, catching Neil's eye and smiling.
She walked around her apartment to marvel at the delicate decorations more closely. She ran her hand along the line of mini lanterns and smiled at the sight of the paper dragons.
"Mom gets ones just like this at home." she said, beaming at her friends. "What's up with this?" she asked, pointing at the runner rolled up in the corner suspiciously.
"I can explain." Neil started as Audrey rolled back the corner revealing a blotch of paint. He explained what he was trying to do when it happened and guided her gaze to the banner he'd propped on her bookcase. She didn't say a word, but she looked over at what he was pointing at. She remained silent with an expression on her face he couldn't quite put a finger on and it made him nervous.
"Look Aud, I'm sorry. I'll obviously get you a new one and..." he rambled until he was interrupted by a burst of laughter. "Why are you laughing?" he asked with a nervous chuckle.
Audrey was laughing so hard she had trouble forming the words she needed. "Don't get me wrong, I really appreciate you trying, but that looks like a child did it." she answered, in between laughs. Neil let out an sigh of relief that it was nothing worse and Kevin and Jo joined in the laughter.
Her small dinner table was groaning under the weight of the feast they had thrown together. Jo had finally found a restaurant to help them on her thirteenth call and the duck took centre stage. Kevin had provided a wonderful fruit platter with a large watermelon in its centre. Unfortunately, he received the same amount of teasing as Neil for his attempt at carving it into a lotus flower arguing that his surgery skills were not transferable to fresh produce.
"How on earth did you manage to get those" she said, spotting the small packet holding the ornate Moon Cakes.
"There was a bit of a queue" Neil shrugged. "I'm sure I got at cursed at in Mandarin for holding up the line because I hadn't ordered ahead. I'm pretty sure my life will be filled with bad luck for the next 5 years" he told them with a laugh.
X
"One more thing" Neil announced as he stood up after dinner. He went to a small pile of bags in the corner of the room and took out some traditional lanterns.
"You didn't?! These are great!" Audrey gasped as she excitedly began to unfold each one. She explained to them what they are for and how they worked.
"So basically, we just write our wishes on them then light them and they float away?" Neil confirmed.
"Yeah. And there's a park a couple blocks away, we could release them there" Audrey suggested.
"Aww c'mon, do we really have to? I ate so much I don't even think I can get off the couch!" Kevin countered.
"All the more reason" Jo argued, nudging him gently. "Time to walk off all that delicious food."
"It's also tradition to have a walk at night to enjoy the moon light." Audrey encouraged.
They wrote on their lanterns before leaving and after a short walk to the park they found a good spot, lit each of them in turn and sat down on the grass to watch them float away.
Scribbled on Kevin's lantern was the wish that his relationship with his parents would continue to grow; Jo wrote that she wanted more OR time and Audrey wished for them to ace the upcoming boards. Neil, being Mr Nice Guy wished that his friends wishes would come true and added as an afterthought the wish for him to become Chief of Surgery one day which earned him plenty of ribbing from the others.
"Have I ever told you guys about why we celebrate?" Audrey asked, breaking the silence as they leaned back watching the lanterns getting smaller and smaller as they drifted away.
"Don't think so." Jo answered.
"Let's hear it." Kevin requested.
"Well, there are different variations of it, but my favourite is the one my dad would tell me when I was little." Audrey explained. "In ancient times, there were 10 suns in the sky and it caused extreme heat making people's lives very difficult. It would be way too hot outside and crops died because they would just dry up. Hearing the people complaining, this guy named Hou Yi decided to do something about it, think Hercules and you're on the right lines" she said to give them a comparison.
"He had such great strength, he decided was going to shoot down the 9 other suns, leaving one which was enough to give what they needed. The Gods were so happy with Hou Yi that they decided to give him an elixir that would make him a God too. He hid it away instead of taking it because he wanted to stay with the love of his life on earth but someone else heard about it and wanted to take it for themselves. He was going to kill the couple to steal the elixir and seeing that his true love was in danger, he made her drink it turning her into a God instead. Hou Yi defeated his challenger and his love became the goddess of the moon. It is said that every full moon was when they would meet and be with each other even just for a while."
Neil had sat forward and was watching Audrey intently as she relayed the story. She didn't normally share anything so personal and had never spoken about her father before. He was glad to see this side of her.
"I would have just taken the elixir for myself." Kevin said after pondering on the story.
"What? Why?" Jo questioned.
"I mean, I'm just saying, if you have the opportunity to become a God, why not take it?" Kevin reasoned.
"So, you mean to say you wouldn't be willing to sacrifice everything for your one true love?" Jo asked.
"I don't know" he shrugged and mumbled "Maybe once I fall in love I'll change my mind. "
"I would" Neil said after a few seconds, starting stoically ahead and they all sat in silence a few minutes longer until their lanterns were tiny specks in the distance.
"Can we go now" Kevin said breaking the silence and moving to get up. "This isn't the most comfortable seat in the house."
Neil stood and offered his hand to Audrey which she took and he pulled her gently to her feet. He was surprised when she didn't let go but linked their fingers instead for the walk back to her apartment.
"That was a beautiful story." Neil said.
"It's one of my absolute favourites. My dad would tell me the story before bedtime after a whole day of celebrating. I was always too buzzed to get to sleep" she smiled softly.
"So, what else is there to learn about this festival?" Jo asked trying to act natural as she and Kevin looked at each other with the widest grins on their faces when they saw Audrey and Neil holding hands as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Audrey proceeded to tell them more about the cultural Mid-Autumn traditions, not letting go of his hand until they reached her apartment and she had to fish in her pockets for her keys. They helped her clear up a little before sitting around the living room to talk a little longer over a bottle of wine. Kevin received a call to confirm his cab was outside and as they stood to leave, they noticed Neil, head back and fast asleep on the couch.
"Should we wake him up?" Audrey asked.
"He's been awake for two days, could just let him sleep? Wouldn't be a problem, would it?" Kevin suggested.
"Surely not" Jo teased. "You guys are just friends, right?"
"Of course" Audrey responded without hesitation.
After saying their goodbyes at the door, Audrey closed it gently and turned to look at him. After a long shift at the hospital and a day of preparations for her surprise, he needed a good sleep. She quietly grabbed the blanket from the back of the sofa and draped it over him, careful not to disturb him too much.
"Night, Neil" she said in the quietest whisper and smiled as he stirred to get himself more comfortable. She turned out the lights and left a small lamp on for him before disappearing to her bedroom. She would have no trouble sleeping soundly tonight.
X
It was another couple of days until they could reschedule their study group. The Mid-Autumn surprise had been a huge success, but it wasn't an excuse to slack off preparing for their upcoming exams.
"We're still on for tonight, right?" Kevin asked the group before they dispersed to their own patients as they had just finished rounds.
"Well, unless you guys have any more surprises up your sleeves, then we are." Audrey joked.
"Okay then, my place after work." Jo confirmed.
"Sure" Neil added distractedly as they disbanded. He was already fully focused on his next patient and didn't even notice as the group disbanded.
Later that evening, the four of them were sat in Jo's living room. They had just gone through extensive questions on protocols and procedures for a number of cases and had found themselves comfortable spots after gorging on a large pizza. Kevin was sprawled across the floor reading them his own test questions for key terms while Jo was sat on the ottoman with her foot on the side table, painting her toenails. Neil and Audrey shared the couch, she sat sideways with her legs crossed at the ankles rested just next to Neil's lap and he was unconsciously, teasing the hem of her pants near her ankle with his fingertips while they all listened to Kevin's questions and answered them if they could.
"What is Conn's Syndrome?" Kevin asked them.
"Ooh... wait... I know this." Jo responded trying to remember. "Hypercortilis.. cortisolism?" she answered, a little unsure.
"No, no, no. Primary hyper… aldosteronism." Neil corrected.
"Neil is right." Kevin verified. "What is actinic keratosis?" he continued.
"Actinic keratosis is a premalignant lesion." Jo said, answering correctly this time.
Neil noticed that Audrey hadn't answered any questions in a while and was currently preoccupied reading about an unusual case study from their review files.
"Hey" he said, trying to get her attention. She didn't respond. "Hey" he called again a little louder, nudging her leg a little.
"Yeah?" she finally answered.
"You're supposed to answer too, you know. How am I meant to beat you if you're not even playing" he said sarcastically.
"Just keep going, I'm almost done." she replied, her eyes still glued on the file.
"What is that anyway?" Neil asked as he grabbed the papers from her hand.
"Hey, I was reading that!" Audrey scolded, moving to get them back, but Neil was quick to stretch them out in the opposite direction away from her. Audrey shifted from her seat, reaching out her hand for the papers. The more she tried to stretch for them, the further away he held them and he only stopped when she almost lost her balance, stabilising herself on his shoulder. Her put his hand out to catch her, planting it firmly on her hip and holding her steady. Close, but steady. Everything went quiet as they realised just how close they were and they just stopped for a moment.
"I need to get a drink." Audrey announced after a few seconds, excusing herself from the situation.
"I need one too!" Kevin seconded as he got up and followed her to the kitchen.
"Are you okay? he asked and she nodded the affirmative. "So, you and Neil?" he continued bravely.
"What about us?" she asked innocently. She knew he had been dying to ask since their gathering last week. Kevin just rolled his eyes at her reply. "I don't know. It seems that feelings are a little less suppressed than usual?" she shrugged casually.
But before Kevin could respond, they heard Jo from the living room. "All done! Now, who's next?" she announced, referring to her painted toenails. Scanning the room, Neil was the only one in sight. She had a sly grin on her face and raised her eyebrows at him.
"Jo, no." Neil warned. Ignoring him, she got up from her seat, so Neil made for the door first.
"Oh c'mon, please. I'm bored, we've been studying for hours." she pleaded as she followed him.
"No, I'm not getting my toenails painted." he admonished, purposely positioning himself behind Audrey. Jo wasn't backing down, so Neil grabbed her by the waist to manoeuvre her in between them using her body as a human shield.
"Ugh, fine. You're no fun." she complained as she stalked back to the living room.
"I think you're good for now." said Audrey, looking at him over her shoulder.
"That was a close one, thanks." he replied, giving her waist a little squeeze before letting go and followed Jo back to the living room.
Kevin had a smirk on his face when she glanced at him as she got a couple of sodas from the fridge.
"What?" she questioned.
"It's happening. It's finally happening. After all these years, it's finally here." Kevin said grinning at her.
"We'll nothing's happened yet, don't get too excited. I'm not starting anything while I'm still married, that hasn't changed. But maybe it's not 'not' happening." she responded with a smile as she gave him his drink and walked back to the living room and leaving her friend hopeful for what was in store for her and Neil.