To Learn is to Live

Chapter 1

It has been three months since Sarah heard from or even seen Eric.  She just wanted to talk things over with him.  She forgave him, even if he did cheat.  Sarah just couldn't see her life without him in it. 

Sarah was currently two hours into her 12-hour shift at the hospital.  It has been a rather slow day so far, she thought.  "Mrs. Wilson, we have a patient coming in from Dalton's crew.  She's a eighty year old woman with a broken arm and possibly a fractured rib.  Dalton said she is, and I quote, "a live one" so have fun. If you need any help let May know or Dalton, if he doesn't mind staying that is," said Ron, the nursing manger.

Right as Ron was walking away, there came Dalton with the gurney behind him. "Hey there Sunshine, how's your weekend been? Any word from he-who-shall-not-be-named?" Dalton was one of those guys who was nice to everyone. Ever since he met Sarah, he would see her smile and feel like it would light up the room so he started to call her sunshine. Dalton was 6'4", with brown hair long enough to keep in a man bun. "Dalton, what have I said about that? Voldemort is so much nicer than Eric. He honestly couldn't even be in the same category as him. "

"Oh Sunshine, you know who I meant."

"No, Dalton, still no word," she said as she rolled her eyes. Dalton gave a small chuckle and looked down at his clip board. "This here is Mrs. Carol Stewart. She broke her arm while sky diving, says she didn't pull the string at the right time. I believe she may also have a fractured rib or two seeing as how bruised up she is. She is definitely a live one so do enjoy her company. Call me over if you need any help, I'll be over talking to Ron." With that, Dalton started off in the direction that Ron had went.

"Okay Mrs. Stewart, my name is Sarah and I'll be your nurse for the moment. I'm going to  ask you a few questions and then I'll get you some medicine for your pain."

"Alright, sweetheart," replied Mrs. Stewart without any sign of hesitation.

"Mrs. Stewart -"

"Hun, I may be eighty but you can call me Carol. It will not bother me one bit."

"Alright Mrs. Stew- I mean Carol, do you have any allergies?"

"None that I have come to know of in my elderly life time," replied Carol as she chuckled to herself.

"Great. How about your medical history? Any surgeries we need to know about?"

"Well now, I have had a few broken bones, a couple concussions, and a few million cuts and scrapes. I don't think I have ever had a surgery. Wait, no, I lied. I don't know if you would count this but when I was thirty-eight I had a surgery to have my wisdom teeth removed. My husband definitely enjoyed that day. I was a complete nut."

"That sounds like a interesting day for you. Okay last question. What prescription or non-prescription medications have you or do you take?"

"Pretty much any medication that I can buy at the store to take away headaches and small pains."

"Perfect. Thank you Carol, I am going to go get you some medicine the help with any pain or discomfort you may be feeling right now. After it has had time to take effect, we will get you up to radiology to have an x-ray that can assess the problem."

"Sounds great, Sugar "

Sarah gave a quick smile and left the room. Wow, she really is a live one just as Dalton said, she thought. Walking to the the nurses station, Sarah saw Dalton and Maria talking. "I don't get how you can go out everyday and deal with all of those horrible situations. It must take such a toll on you? I, for one, think you're very brave. It takes a special someone to do a paramedics job," stated Maria in a flirtatious voice. Sarah rolled her eyes at the stupidity of that girl. Maria had just started at the hospital three months ago and she already thought she ran the place. Sure she was beautiful, long blonde hair, glittering green eyes, and all together perfect body, but this girl was just too ditsy.

"Thank you Maria, it is a stressful job, but I enjoy every moment because I know I am doing good and helping people. It's just another day in the life," Dalton stated easily. "Well hello there Sunshine, was she everything I said?"

"And more," Sarah laughed out. "Maria, could you check on the patients in bay seven and ten? They haven't had their second check ups yet. Thank you."

Maria huffed out with a pout and marched off. One good part about her being so new was she still had to listen to any veteran nurses. "Did you know Dalton," Sarah said as she started to put in the order for medication, "our patient had her wisdom teeth removed and apparently her husband found it hilarious?"

"So I take it she has yet to tell you of her adventure down the Grand Canyon with only a rope, pocket knife, and some matches? It is one heck of a story, but don't just take my word for it. That is just one of the many tales she told on our way here," he said while looking off into the distance. "Listen Sunshine, if you're not too busy later after saving millions of lives, would a spaghetti dinner freshly cooked sound appropriate for say, I don't know, 7 o'clock tonight?"

"Oh I'm not so sure Dalton, I do have a lot of work to do before then. Besides where would we eat at? I don't exactly have a place."

"Don't worry about any of that. I'll take care of everything if you'll just agree to go."

"Okay Dalton," Sarah said as she turned around. "Just let me know when and where. You have my number so text me." Dalton smiled and nodded his head. With a quick turn, he was on his way. Well, I wasn't prepared for that, she thought. Maybe this is what I need...but how do I forget Eric? What if Dalton is another Eric? Can I go through that again? No, he isn't like that. He couldn't be, right?