Apple Pies & Stethoscopes

I Shall Call Her Pookie

She thought I didn't understand her? I glanced down at myself and remembered the ridiculous outfit I had to wear for training. I looked like a japanese summer school student in this uniform. I didn't know why we couldn't wear something as cool as scrubs or formal attire with a button up and slacks.

No, my shirt had to be tucked in. My bowtie strait, and my itchy pants were high waters. My shoes were polished and my hair was split and combed in half. Ugh!!!

"Excuse me miss. Can you help me, my mother just came in. My father and sister were right behind her. Can you show me the way?" She asked the head nurse and she was luckily that nurse spoke good English. She lead the cute girl away and I followed.

She was lead down two halls until we got to the main waiting area for ER patients. It had a large tv, chairs, magazines, a charging station, and vending machine. The girl sat a seat down from her dad and sister, looking unplaced.

I furrowed my brows? They didn't even acknowledge her. Did they blame her or something for the mother that was brought in? It didn't look like she was a trouble maker. She looked around the area until her baby greens landed on me. They held sadness in them, like they were haunted. What made them look that way? Oh shoot, she sees me!

I quickly hid behind the wall I was near and took deep breaths. God, why was I staring? She probably thinks I'm a weirdo following her around now. I peeked one last time before I left. I didn't want to get in trouble for not doing my observations, I still had my paper to write.

The girl was now watching the tv, hugging her legs on the seat. She made herself small like she didn't want anyone to notice her. Too late little Pookie, I've seen you. Pookie, it was a cute name.

I rushed back to where I was supposed to be and then went to write my paper in dad's office. I wanted to see if I could talk to her before they left. A few hours passed and I went back to where she was. There was a few more people in here now, I saw the dad on his phone pacing back in forth. The girl with brown hair asleep in her seat. Now where is....she wasn't here.

I looked around the area again and walked further down the halls to see if she was nearby. I checked and waited near the restrooms to see if she came out. Nothing. Where did she go?

I walked out to a small garden they had between this waiting room and the next. I was about to check somewhere else but I saw something move next to the bamboo trees.

There. The girl was slowly walking backwards looking at the garden. Taking in every detail of the stone covered paths and tall grass. The Japanese cherry blossom flowers that bloomed in the tree. The weather was warm out and it was late afternoon.

I didn't get to eat lunch yet. I wonder if she ate anything yet? I ruffled my hair and tossed my tie. Fixed my shirt, and tried to make my pants look longer. I wish I could have extra clothes here, but that was a dead no from mom.

I slowly walked up to her as she went towards the small pond that held koi fish. I finally got to see how long her hair was, it was near her butt. Which was a good view too. I shook my head, stop checking her out! She tensed and turned towards me. I gave a small wave.

I cleared my throat and force my vocal cords to say something. "That's Niko and Nika. They've been partners since the hospital was built. 15 years, they still have about another 15-20 years together. Give or take."