As the buildings cascade to the ground, the cameras locate the firefighter and catch him jumping out of the window just as the buildings drop. He lands directly on the ladder and crouches into a low position. I focus on his arms and it looks likes he’s holding someone. The ladder immediately swivels away from the collapsing buildings in the opposite direction, missing the falling debris by a hair.
My entire body shakes as I watch the fireman hold on tight as the ladder swings and slowly lowers back down to the truck. As soon as it reaches its destination, he unwraps his arms and my eyes water as the little boy pops up his head and looks into the crowd.
Paramedics rush to the boy, taking him from the firefighter as he jumps off the roof of the truck. He races toward the rubble and starts digging profusely. I watch as firefighters assist in the dig before the camera turns away and focuses on the anchor.
Still frozen, I hear Gia’s voice yell from a distance and glance at the phone on the floor. Picking it up, I breathe heavily, trying to calm myself down. “Gia, did you see that?”
Her voice shouts, “Yes! Holy fuck! He saved that kid!”
Just as I’m about to respond, the intercom blasts throughout the hallways of the hospital. “All available medical staff, please report to the ER immediately.” Racing back to the locker room to change my shirt, I tell Gia I’ll call her later.
Once changed, I sprint down the stairwell to the first floor emergency room and see it flooded with wounded patients.
I close my eyes, mentally preparing myself for the long day ahead of me.
Time to get to work.
Melanie
THE NEXT SIX hours are utterly insane. Everything that happens flashes through time like a blurred image. Everyone is racing through the halls, in and out of patient rooms, trying to keep the chaos at the hospital in order.
Somehow I manage to stay coherent enough to get the job done. With the help of two other staff members, we are able to treat those affected by the collapse as well as regular incoming patients.
I’m glad things go well, but I never get the chance to see the one patient that I wanted to see: the little boy. I hear about him from other staff: the paramedics brought him inside about ten minutes after the collapse. The residing physician personally examined the boy and discovered that he was in good health. One of the other nurses advises me that the boy had minor injuries, a sprained ankle and a few bruises, but that’s it.
She tells me that after his examination, the boy was admitted into the pediatric wing and social workers arrived soon after. Apparently the boy’s mother died in the fire and they are now waiting for the boy’s father who was in Japan during a business trip. Finding out he lost his mom is heartbreaking, but at the same time, I’m glad to learn he still has one parent to raise him.
Dressing the wounds on my current patient, I glance out the window and stare at the baby blue sky. Birds perch on rooftops of the buildings across the street as others soar through the air. Fastening the dressing, I smile at the patient and tell her I’ll be back in a couple hours to check on her and to buzz a nurse if she needs anything.
As I exit the patient’s room, my supervisor, Dr. Elle Calloway, calls me over to her.
“Yes doctor?”
She asks, “Melanie how long have you been working this shift?”
I count the hours in my mind. “Uh, going on six hours I believe. I was just about to head to room eight to check on the patient.”
Her hand rests on my shoulder. “What I need you to do is go home and rest.”
“But I—”
She raises her palm. “No buts. You’ve been here a total of eighteen hours. Don’t think I don’t know these things.”
I smile at her, appreciating her respect and likability. “Yes ma’am.”
I head upstairs to the locker room and quickly change out of my scrubs and into a t-shirt and jeans. Ten minutes later, I find myself outside, walking toward the subway and inching my way to the crash site. Emergency personnel continue to dig through the rubble, searching through the voids for any survivors. In the past day, they’ve managed to pull out three people—just three. Utility vehicles crowd the sidewalks as crews ensure that gas, electricity, and water services are all turned off.
I send up a silent prayer, hoping that everyone is found safe and sound. For those who don’t make it, I can only imagine what their families are going through. Just before I climb down the stairs to the subway, I send a quick text to Gia letting her know I’ll call as soon as I get home. She’ll want to know everything that’s happening, that’s for sure.
******
As I stand in line at the cafeteria, waiting to pay for my sesame seed bagel with cream cheese, I overhear a conversation behind me. Two nurses from the ICU discuss the discovery of a firefighter who was buried in the rubble at the collapse site.
I spin around, joyous to hear that someone was saved. “That’s great news!”
One of the nurses, Amanda, chimes in, “Yes, can you believe it? They found him yesterday. He was so deep they had to dig a tunnel under the rubble to get him out.”
Hoping for good news I ask, “Well, how is he? Is he all right?”
She nods. “He’s been in surgery for the past three hours. He’s been badly burned and I’m sure he has internal bleeding.”
I gasp. “Oh god. How did they find him? Was he calling for help?”
“Actually, one of his fire crew kept looking for him. He never gave up. I heard that they saw the reflection of the flashlights on his fire suit pants. And get this: he’s the one that saved the kid.”
I reach the cashier, giving her my debit card to pay for my meal. “I thought the firefighter climbing the ladder saved the boy.”
She shakes her head. “No, there was someone else inside who found the boy and got him out just before the buildings collapsed.”
Amazed, my voice shrieks, “Wow! I didn’t even know that. Thank goodness they found him.”
She returns my astonishment with a smile. “Yes, he’s very lucky.”
The cashier hands me my debit card and I make my way to an empty table to eat the bagel, but suddenly I’ve lost my appetite. Instead, I wrap the bagel in a napkin and race upstairs to the nurses lounge. Opening the door, I place the bagel on the counter, grab a pen and paper, and write down my name. I place the slip of paper under the bagel to tell the lunch thieves to stay away from my meal.
I glance at the clock, only now realizing it’s already one forty PM. Shift starts in twenty minutes. I change in the female locker room, pull my hair into a messy bun, and pin my hospital badge on my scrubs. Once dressed and washed up, I head to the ICU nurses station to start my day.
******
Three hours into my shift, I sit at the nurses station, powering on the computer to start the paperwork for the day. Amanda sits at the desk next to me and turns on her computer screen to continue watching the local news.
I glance over to her as I fill out the online patient charts. “So, anything new about the collapse?”
“Nope, nothing. The only thing they’re saying is the building was so old, the wood couldn’t withstand the flames. The collapse was inevitable.”
Letting out a deep breath, I shake my head, still reeling over these crazy past couple days. “You know I saw the whole thing happen?”
Amanda’s head snaps to me. “Oh my god! You did? I would have freaked.”
“I practically did! Just thinking about it still makes my heart stop and my lungs tighten. I completely froze as I watched them crumble to the ground.”
One of the head nurses stops by the station and hands me a patient’s chart. “Hey Melanie, this one was just added into your rotation. He had surgery earlier today so he might be in and out of it for a while. Oh, and his family is present.”
I flip open the chart and examine it. Amanda bends toward me, taking a peek at the chart. A loud gasp escapes her lungs. “Holy shit! This is the guy.”
I give her puzzled look. “The g
uy?”
She shrieks. “Yes! The firefighter, the one who saved the boy! Look, it says right there.”
Scanning the chart, my eyes read the fine print.
Rescued firefighter from rubble at the Lexington Ave collapse. Partial second-degree burns throughout 20% of the body. Internal hemorrhaging. Spinal fracture.
“Damn, his back’s broken.”
Amanda whispers, “He’s gotta be on some serious drugs right now.”
Glancing at the chart, I browse the listed medications prescribed; she’s right. At least six medications are listed, each one for a specific symptom, plus the painkillers.
I close the chart, placing it on the counter as I return to completing the online paperwork and medical insurance forms. Amanda stalks off to complete the rounds for the upcoming hour and I glance at my watch, ready to do the same.
Standing steadily, I lift the chart and walk over to room number three, softly knocking before I enter. I have no idea why I’m nervous, but I am. It’s rather unnerving, and frankly I’m a little unsettled by my reaction to all of this.
Exhaling softly, I push the door open and take a couple steps into the room. At first glance, I notice a couple sitting together by the windowsill, cupping hands and looking out the room’s wide window.
I clear my throat and begin, “Uh, hi. I’m Nurse Stevens and I’ll be taking a look at, uh…”
Shit, I don’t even know his name. Stupid.
Quickly skimming the name label on the chart, a sense of deja vu occurs. Roman Moretti.
A soft whisper escapes my lips. “Roman?”
At that instant, I glance up to look at the couple in front of me and I immediately recognize the old woman from the bakery. Mrs. Zeppieri.
Mrs. Zeppieri flashes a bright smile and taps her husband’s shoulder. “Look dear, it’s the éclairs girl.”
Frozen in place, the encounter causes the hairs on my arms to stand at attention. My eyes travel to the patient sleeping in the bed as his face comes into focus. Even though it’s burned and reddened from the flames, I immediately recognize him from that run-in months ago. My lungs tighten as they yearn for air. My eyes look down upon the handsome stranger. It’s him, the guy who worked at the bakery in high school.
Holy shit.
Roman
A SLIGHT BURNING SENSATION RADIATES throughout my body. My skin itches profusely as the pain intensifies. Irritation and soreness exude as the heat inside me rises. My eyes shoot open and take in my surroundings. The gleaming moonlight shines into the darkened hospital room. A bedside table holds a picture of myself with my aunt, uncle, and cousin. Across the room, near the window, I see a display of large flower vases and greeting cards. Heart-shaped balloons tied to the bedpost float in the air.
I swallow hard to silken my dry throat. I look around for a glass of water, but can’t see very clearly. Feeling for the button to call the nurse, an excruciating pain shoots out from my right hand. Looking down, I see my blistered hand covered in ointment and wrapped in medical bandages.
I try to maneuver my head to scan the rest of my body, but it’s extremely difficult to move. I sense something taped to my face so I lift my left hand, touching the bandage and flinching at the contact. My stiff neck prevents me from observing anything past my chest. My eyes close as I concentrate on wiggling my toes; I’m barely able to do so.
A sense of panic magnifies as my breathing falters and becomes harsh. The worst possibility of what happened to me after the fire seeps into reality. My body trembles as the trauma of the recent events flashes through my mind. Tears spill down my face as I think the absolute worst. I’m paralyzed.
I feel my heart pound against my chest and the blaring sound of beeps from the vitals machine chimes throughout the room.
Seconds later, a nurse bursts into the room and yells out, “He’s awake!”
The nurse rushes inside and checks my vitals on the machine. She gives me a quick smile. “Hi, I’m Jackie. I’ll be taking care of you this early morning. How are you feeling?”
I open my mouth, struggling to speak. “Waaater.”
“Oh yes. Right away sir.”
She rushes out of the room and returns instantly with a cup of ice water. She inserts a bendy straw and slowly holds the cup steady. Coming to the side of the bed, she puts her hand underneath my head, lifting it as my lips enclose around the straw, sipping the ice-cold water. The cool liquid swishes in my mouth as I tip my head back, allowing it to free fall down my throat. I feel it travel down my esophagus and into my stomach.
I drink the entire cup and the nurse places the empty cup on the dresser. I try to sit up, but she raises her palms up. “No, don’t move!”
I give her a perplexed look. “Where’s my family?”
At that moment, the doctor steps inside and says, “Ah, Roman! You’re awake. My name is Dr. Ferguson and I’m the residing physician here. So, let’s take a look at you, okay?”
Frustration and anger sound in my voice as I ask again, “Where’s my family?”
Jackie chimes in, “They’re in the chapel. I’ll go get them.”
As she steps out, the doctor examines me with his flashlight. “Okay, follow the light. Good. Now, let’s listen to that heart of yours.”
He puts on the stethoscope and places it against my chest. “Breathe in…and out, in…and out. Good. Now, on a scale of one to ten, ten being the highest, tell me how much pain you’re in.”
“Six.”
He nods. “Okay, that’s not too bad. Are you able to sit up and move your legs?”
“I…it hurts.”
“Okay, let me help you.”
He walks around and steadies his arm firmly on my shoulders. “Now, see if you can lift yourself off the pillow and sit up.”
Exhaling before I attempt his request, I slowly focus on lifting my neck, but the aches and soreness are excruciating. I continue to push through and force my way up, but he cautions me to relax.
“I don’t want you overdoing it. Just lay still and relax.”
The door pushes open as Aunt Maggie and Uncle Vinny rush inside with the nurse following close by.
Aunt Maggie cries out and rushes to the bed with open arms. “Oh, thank God!”
I open an arm for her as she cradles herself in my neck and bursts into tears. Sobs echo throughout the room as she continues to thank the Lord for listening to her prayers.
Her overwhelming reaction melts my heart as Uncle Vinny walks up to me and places his hand on my shoulder. He gives me a stern smile as tears gloss over his brown eyes. My injured hand reaches out for him and he grasps hold of my forearm as silent tears spill down his face.
I hear Jackie sniff quietly in the background as the three of us share an emotional reunion. Once we all calm down from our joyous tears, Aunt Maggie and Uncle Vinny step away to let the doctor continue with his examination.
“So, where were we? Oh yes! Are you feeling any tingling in your legs?”
I nod. “Yes. I sense them, but when I try to move, it’s very difficult. I can barely wiggle my toes.”
His brow arches. “But you can wiggle them right?”
I nod slowly. “Yes.”
Pleased with my answer, he jots down notes in my chart. “Excellent!”
I take a peek at Aunt Maggie as she wipes tears away with a tissue. “How long was I out?”
Dr. Ferguson responds, “Only for a day, which is pretty remarkable after all you’ve been through.”
Memories of that terrifying night flash before my eyes: the fire, the dead woman, the boy. My breath hitches as worry spreads all over. “The boy! Is he all right?”
Uncle Vinny rests his hand on my shoulder and beams bright. “Yes, he’s safe. You did good Roman. You did good.”
Dr. Ferguson skims my chart and proceeds to tell us exactly what we’re dealing with. “Okay so, when you were brought in, you were severely dehydrated. You had internal hemorrhaging and second-degree burns covering the right side of your body from
your waist to your face. We immediately had you in the OR and performed a thoracotomy to stop the bleeding to protect your heart and lungs from pressure caused by the excess blood. Once complete, we discovered the spinal fracture.”
He takes a peek at us all, making sure we’re listening attentively and not on the verge of freaking out. “Now, the fracture is different than a broken arm or a leg. The dislocation of the vertebra causes bone fragments to pinch the nerves or spinal cord. Treatment depends on the degree of instability and the type of fracture. I have to say that you’re one of the lucky ones. The fracture occurred in the lower back and even though you fell quite a distance it’s still stable. You’ll experience discomfort, pain, and difficulty walking, but with the use of a back brace, you’ll be good in no time. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but you’re wearing the brace right now.”
I look downward as he pulls back the bed covers to reveal the white plastic jacket wrapped around my back and waist. It looks just like a straight jacket, except my arms are free to move as they please.
He fastens the belts and Velcro, ensuring the brace fits properly and is secure. “It’s called a thoracolumbosacral orthosis, TLSO for short. It’ll protect against excessive bending and twisting of your spine while you recover. Of course, you’ll need physical therapy once you’ve gained enough strength. Frankly, the burns are what’s going to be the biggest issue. We’ve coated them in an antibiotic ointment and gauze but it’s going to take about a month for them to heal. You’ll notice the skin will blister as it becomes extremely red and sore. The inflamed skin layers will sting and irritate you constantly. We’ve given you a low dose morphine drip for now because we need to assess your pain levels. Our main goal is to prevent any scarring. I can’t guarantee anything but there’s hope that you’ll look good as new. Now do either of you have any questions for me?”
I soak in everything that he said, still processing it all. I give Aunt Maggie and Uncle Vinny a worrisome look, especially about the amount of pain, but overall I feel good.
Little Moments Page 11