Thursday's Opening Scene from Home Caring #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Romance #Medical #Doctor patient

 

Abby Reid left the elevator on the fourth floor at Bradley Memorial Hospital. She clasped her briefcase and thought about the patient she was about to see. Dr. Woods the orthopedic doctor had called Home Caring about this patient who had insisted on going home rather than to a rehab facility. She paused to review that call.

“Motorcycle accident. Ten days ago. Collided with a car. Fractured tibia and fibula of both legs. Pins and plates. Right knee repaired. Left arm multiple fractures. Broken ribs. Chest tube removed. Amazingly no head trauma.”

Abby had frowned. “Why home?”

“His demand. Doctor Jeff Grayson can be a difficult patient. You can handle him.” He had smiled. “When you worked here, you always managed to tame the hard ones.”

Abby hoped he was right. The home care health agency must succeed. She had no desire to return here to work. That idea made her stomach churn. As long as her ex-husband remained on staff, she wouldn’t work here. Even though none of her friends or colleagues had blamed her , Richard had the ability to raise her level of guilt.

With a sigh she recalled how after the purchase of Home Caring, she had discovered a multitude of problems. One by one she had solved them. A few remained, especially the one she faced when she returned to the office.

She paused outside the unit’s nurse manager’s office. Hopefully, Madge Kirkland would provide the information on this patient the orthopedic surgeon had neglected to mention. A difficult patient. But why? She tapped on the partially open door. Her friend sat behind the metal desk. Abby noted the framed degrees and a picture of Madge’s family on the wall behind the desk.

Madge pushed a stack of papers aside. “Abby.”

“Do you have a few minutes?”

“Sure. You look great. What brings you?”

Abby sat on a chair across from the desk. She set her briefcase on the floor. “Dr. Grayson.”

“So he won this round.” Madge arched an auburn eyebrow. “All he’s talked about is being in his own bed. Hopefully, he understands this won’t happen yet.”

“I’ll do my best to persuade him.”

“I hope you don’t fall for his charms. Every time I pass his room, I find half my staff clustered at his bedside.”

Abby chuckled. “Not my reason for seeing him. Home Caring is handling his discharge and home care.”

“When does he leave?”

“I believe Dr. Woods is planning on tomorrow.”

“Not a moment too soon.” Madge laughed.

“What can you tell me about him?”

“Do you have a month?”

“That bad.”

“Worse. He questions every detail of his care except when he deigns to take pain meds.” Madge shook her head. “Wanted the surgery done under local so he could advise. He attracts my staff like a picnic draws ants. Not that he encourages them.”

“I get the picture.” Abby frowned. “Just how old is he? I know he’s new on staff.”

“Soon to be thirty. He earned his MD at an early age. Before he came here he spent four years at a clinic in Appalachia. Two months ago, he joined Mitch Thorne. Madge chuckled. “If anyone can handle him, you’re the one.” She looked at Abby. “Remember our own Don Juan, the orderly, who tried and succeeded to seduce so many of the nurses.”

Abby nodded. “He was unforgettable.”

“With a few words, you shut him down.” Madge winked. “Did you really ask him if you could measure him before you took a chance?”

Abby nodded. “And I made sure there was a lurking audience. His face turned so red I thought it would burst.”

“And that’s why I know you can handle the doctor.”

“Hope so.” Abby smiled. “I won’t be his caregiver. I’ll select the ones who will be best.”’

“Good.” Madge leaned forward. “In case you’re interested, Richard’s love life has hit some rocks.”

Abby shook her head. “I don’t want to hear more.” Still Madge’s words evoked a moment of pleasure. She rose. “Talk to you later.”

‘give me five minutes to finish these papers,” Madge said. “I’ll meet you in his room.”

“Thanks.” Abby strode down the hall to the patient’s room, one usually kept for isolation. Time to see Dr. Grayson. She paused in the anteroom to wash her hands. Then she stepped to the doorway to observe her patient. She frowned. No wheelchair. Did the man have to remain in bed. She stepped to the bedside. “Good afternoon, Dr. Grayson.”