The Girl In Blue

"How are you feeling this morning Charlie?" The nurse asks her last patient of the day.

"Oh as well as I can be ma'am." He says with a small smile, watching as the brunette girl takes his blood pressure.

"You don't have to address me so formally. I've told you before." She says with a slight laugh, knowing no matter how many times she reminds the old man, he'll still try to flatter her.

"I know but it's how I was raised ma'am. Hard habit to break." His smile never fading from his wrinkled face, as she just lightly shakes her head at him.

"I do have some good news for you today Charlie. They were finally able to fit the prosthetics to the castings we gave them, and they've finally arrived." At her words the double amputee's eyes light up at the prospect of walking again.

"Well, the anticipation is killin' me! Let's try the bad boys on." His excitement makes her laugh.

This is why she got into nursing, to be able to help and heal those that aren't able to on their own. To see her patients get better, gain access to the things that will lead them back to a semi normal life, is what always brings a smile to the girl in blue.

At first she was against working with the armed forces, knowing the horror stories from her grandfather. But her grandfather was the reason for her becoming a nurse, in hopes to help someone so they don't suffer as he did.

Then she met Charlie, and he reminded her so much of her grandfather, and she was determined to do what she could to help him walk again.

"Alright Charlie, slowly now." She commands bracing his weight with her body, as he eagerly tries to jump to his new metal feet.

"Now they're going to take some getting used to, and until Dan in PT and myself can help you with these, we're gonna need you to stay in your chair."

"Well don't tease me then doll. When can I start dancin' again?" He looks to her, the light dancing behind his eyes.

"Well, dancin' might take a bit." She says with a laugh. "How about, we walk to Dan's office and see when we can schedule you?"

She didn't want him walking too far right now, but when he looks at her, so full of hope, she just can't say no. So wrapping one of his arms around her, and giving him a cane to support the other side, they begin to make their slow trek down the hall of the VA center.

"So my dear, any man lucky enough to call you his girl?" This is a normal question from Charlie, making her laugh at his antics.

"Not yet Charlie, you know I'm always gonna be your girl."

She says with a smile at the long running joke between the two, but in the back of her mind she can't help but think of the attractive man that works down the hall from her.

"You're absolutely right. You're way to special to be someone else's girl." He says with a chuckle, making her laugh as well.

"How they feeling? Not rubbing too bad?" She asks as they get closer to the office.

"Not too bad. It's been years since I've been able to do this.." He says quietly.

"I know it's hard at times, but there's a reason you're still here. Find something you like to do, talk to a new person who you never would've talked to before. You never know what they could be going through, and you could be that ray of light they need."