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"Okay, Zahra," Ms. Henry called as soon as I clocked in, "Room 208 is asking for you specifically."
I laughed under my breath, already knowing who it was.
"On my way," I answered, slinging my stethoscope around my neck.
Mr. Lewis was my favorite patient--an older man with a crooked smile and a gift for telling wild stories. I pushed open his door to find him sitting up in bed, TV blaring an old western.
"There she is!" He boomed, throwing his arms up dramatically.
"Good morning, Mr. Lewis," I said, grinning as I adjusted his IV. "What's all this excitement about?"
"They served me cold oatmeal again, that's what" he huffed, though his eyes were twinkling. "And I told them, 'You better go get me the pretty nurse that actually listens.'"
"Flattery won't get you better oatmeal," I teased.
He laughed, then lowered his voice conspiratorially. "You got plans this weekend? You still young, you better go out and dance or something. Don't be stuck in here like me."
"I might," I said, checking his chart. "but you gotta behave while I'm gone, okay?"
He winked. "No promises."
I shook my head, smiling as I finished up his meds. He was one of those patients that made the job feel light, even on heavy days.
By break time, I collapsed into a chair in the break room, cracking open a bottle of water. That's when Bri strolled in.
Bri had been here just a little longer than me, and we clicked almost instantly. She was short, gorgeous, with a thick curly flip over, and lashes that could cut glass. But it was her vibe that drew people in--cool, confident, easy to laugh.
"Zahra!" she sang, plopping into the chair next to me. "Girl, I've been meaning to catch you."
"Hey, Bri," I said, smiling. "You surviving the morning rush?"
"Barely. That man in 305? Swore I was his ex-wife. Kept asking if I still made them collard greens." She snorted. "I don't even know how to make collard greens."
She leaned back, scrolling on her phone. "Listen, what you doing this weekend?"
I shrugged. "Probably nothing. Why?"
"I wanna hit up this club downtown Friday night. You should come. It'll be fun, I promise."
My eyes lit up. It had been forever since I'd gone out for myself. "Yeah. Yeah, I'll come. Can I bring a friend?"
"Of course," Bri said easily. "The more the merrier."
"Bet. My homegirl Kamaria's coming too."
"Cool! Just text me so I can get yall on the list."
