Everything They Didn't Tell

by Marcaila Edwards

  “No, thank you. Thank you for reminding me that other things exist in life apart from work.”

  “You’re Welcome.”

  “Um… Robynett. I want our friendship to be honest, so I’m just going to tell you this. I – ”

  “I know what you’re going to say.” She cuts me off. “You think I might be your best friend, Robyn. Trust me, it's so obvious you've been fighting with your subconscious, pondering whether I might be her or not.”

  “Does it bother you?” I ask, shakily.

  “I just want to be your friend, for now, Rachel. I don’t– want you to get your hopes up and then I am not the person you’re looking for and – ”

  “I understand, but I would never leave you out, even if it turns out, you're not her. I promise.”

  She turns to look me in the eyes.

  “Thank you, now you better get going. David must be worried; it’s been hours since we've left. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “Bye Rob.”

  “Cheerio.”

  I breathe a sigh of relief, switching on the ignition.

  *****

  I open the front door and quickly get inside from the fury of the freezing night. I throw the keys on the entrance table and kick my boots off.

  “I was just about to send out a search party for you guys.” David looks up from his laptop while sitting on the couch in the middle of the room.

  “We just lost track of time.” I plop down beside him on the couch, resting my head on his thigh.

  “You look different, in a good sort of way. Did you guys have fun?” he asks, brushing my hair, untangling the knots as he goes through it with his slender fingers.

  “Yeah, I really did. I think today reminded me that there is more to life than work.” Saying this, I turn to look at his brown eyes.

  “I've learned a lot about her today–– She met some accident, 3 years ago, like Robyn. She said when she woke up she had suffered severe memory loss and she was given the opportunity to start life all over – a new identity. She did a finger print test, but no results came back. She then went on to pursue a career in Private Investigation; that’s why she has no friends nor family,” I explain.

  We sit in silence for a couple of minutes as David takes in the information I'd just given him.

  “She’s been through a lot, I can hardly imagine. Do you still think she could be Robyn?”

  “I honestly don’t know,” I breathe. “She knows that I think she may be Robyn, but she’s scared that if I find out she’s not, then I will discontinue our friendship. I could never leave her, especially after what she’s been through.”

  “Babe, I’ve listened to you and based on what I’ve heard, I think you should just enjoy each other’s company for now and then later on, you can figure out the rest. The best way to find out if she is Robyn is by bringing her to Mr. and Mrs. Black.

  “You could propose for her to meet them, but definitely not now,” he suggests.

  How did I get to be so lucky? This man is so flexible and versatile. He can be a doctor, counselor, advisor or anything else. I really think that's solid advice. That's what I'll do. And when next I call her, I will make that suggestion, and hopefully, she will consider it.

  “That idea is perfect. Thank You.” I stretch up to give him a hug.

  “She says she considers us family.”

  “I do consider her family too,” he confesses.

  ***

  My eyes struggle to stay open and slowly my body starts giving into sleep. Before I shut my eyes, I look across at David, who’s already out, like a baby. A smile creeps from off my lips as I retire to sleep.

  Chapter 11

  “Hey Martha, could you change Mr. Campton’s I.V. in thirty minutes?” I skip over to the nurses’ station, resting my hand on the counter. “Oh and also, send Mrs. Lincoln for a chest x-ray; I’ll be in the On-Call room if you need me.”

  “Ok, Got it. Now, go get some rest; you look like road kill,” she laughs.

  “Ha-ha, very funny. You try looking like a supermodel while on an eighteen hour shift?” I grumble, rubbing the heavy bags underneath my eyes.

  “You deserve a little eye-shut. Run along dear, I will page you when you’re needed.” She rubs my shoulder.

  “Thank You,” I smile, before heading off.

  ***

  “Hey yah...”

  I see Martha at the door, holding a clipboard, as usual.

  “Go– away,” I groan, falling back on the bed, covering my head with the pillow.

  “Like I’m gonna leave. Anyways, Mrs. Lincoln’s chest x-ray is here and Mr. Campton is out like a rock.”

  I’ve been out for an hour and a couple minutes. I look in the mirror before leaving the bay.

  After closing the door behind me, I stretch my hand towards Martha. She hands me the large brown envelope, which has the x-ray inside of it. Holding it up under the light in the passage way makes me beam, with pride, feeling that my hard work has paid off.

  Knock -Knock

  “Come in.”

  “Mrs. Lincoln, how are you feeling today?” I put on my best smile, greeting the old lady, hoping to send a clear message.

  “Ever since you did that operation I feel so much better,” she beams.

  “Well, I have good news, Mrs. Lincoln. Your post OP scans came back and you’re free to go home!” I enthuse. “Martha here will prepare your discharge papers and we’ll call your son to pick you up in the morning. How does that sound, Mrs. Lincoln?”

  “Really? Thank you, Doctor King.”

  “You’re Welcome. Now, you go get some rest.”

  I turn on my heels and head to the nurse’s station to update Mrs. Lincoln’s chart. My eyes are pulled from the screen of the computer by the buzzing of my pager. I grab the waistband of the scrub and read;

  ***Code Green! Code Green!***

  Oh, snap, a mass casualty. I rush to the elevator, punching the ground floor button eagerly. “What's taking so long? I think I’m going to have to use the stairs.”

  Was about to jet down the metal stair case but I hear the ding sound of the elevator. I turn on my heels and swiftly skip between the closing doors, throwing myself into the metal box, which is already laden with mostly hospital staffers.

  If this thing could only descend faster.

  As I travel downward, my pager constantly beeps. It’s obvious from the glares of the other persons in the elevator, how anxious I am. I know they could hear my feet tapping against the metallic floor. I'm sure if I had taken the stairs, I'd be there by now.

  “When you first signed up for this job, you are told that your precision, agility and reaction time will make the difference between saving and losing a life,” I nervously hum.

  The light turns to G. We're there.

  I rush from the elevator.

  I'm I stopped in my tracks. I flash my hair over my shoulders, I hold my head with both hands and then I take deep breaths, keeping my nerves calm. The room, which hours ago, had been totally empty, now looks like a graveyard. Bodies are everywhere, doctors and nurses running around and everything's haywire. No matter how many years you are in this profession, you never get used to having a mass casualty. The countless amount of cries for help, the screams from the pain and agony, the chaos and confusion but worst of all, knowing that not everyone will survive.

  Snap Snap

  I drift back to reality, quickly putting on the gloves Martha has stretched out towards me. As if she already knows the questions running through my head, she begins to brief me.

  “Doc, an unknown caller reported a bus had plunged over this cliff in Charlston. Triage has already started. All black tags have been sent to the morgue, red tags are in traumas one to ten, yellow tags are in the waiting room and all green tags have been bandaged and sent home.” She pauses, catching breath.

  “There’s this man in 'trauma 3'; David is already there; A piece of iron from the railing of the bus, through his chest.”

&nbs
p; I quicken my steps until I reach the room. My eyes connect with David’s, who is at the moment, is holding the metal that's protruding from the man’s torso. A nurse darts over to me, showing me an x-ray. I hold the scan up to the light. I gasp for breath as I see the image of the metal, just beside the wall of the coronary artery.

  “If that metal as much as shifts – ” my voice breaks.

  “This man will bleed out and die,” David bursts out.

  “Tell the OR we’re coming up and clear the corridor. If this gurney shifts by an inch this man dies!” I force out.

  Extra help comes in; we begin to slowly and carefully transport the patient out of the room. Multitudes of people remove themselves from off the corridor to give us ample space. Everyone is pretty much crossing fingers, hoping and praying that this man makes it to the OR. Now, we’ve reach the hard part, getting this man into the elevator without causing the slightest shift.

  The life of this man depends on three things: Our movements, David holding on to the piece of metal that's sticking from his chest, and ultimately, my work in the OR. In other words, we’re transporting a human bomb. One wrong move and everything will be lost, in seconds.

  ***

  “Mr. and Mrs. Danielson,” I greet, as I approach the elderly couple, obviously jittery, in the waiting room. As I edge closer to them, they hold hands.

  “I’m Doctor Rachel King and this – ” I look over at David, “Doctor Harris.”

  They hug each other with shivering hands, waiting...

  “Your son, Devon – His surgery went well. He did hurt himself pretty badly, but with time he will recover. Luckily Doctor Harris was there to keep your son alive until surgery. He’s been sent up to the Post Op- room. Whenever it's possible for you to see him, you’ll be the first to know.”

  “Thank you so much.” The woman lunges her body forward and envelops me in a warm embrace while her husband shakes David’s arm vigorously. I look over at David, who I'm sure is reeling in pain by now. Holding that metal rod for so long would without a doubt make his hand tender. Poor thing.

  We walk back to the elevator, hoping to get something to eat.

  “How’s the hand?” I ask.

  “Still numb and aching, but...” he shrugs.

  “I think I’m gonna talk to Robynett about meeting Mr. and Mrs. Black. After the things I've seen today, I can only say that family is the most important thing in life; she needs her real family, her true identity.”

  Chapter 12

  It’s two weeks till thanksgiving and I’m thinking about popping the question to Robynett. Tonight, we’re going on a double date. She told me a couple of weeks back that she met this guy, Clarke, and she wants us to meet him. I hope he’s a good one; this girl has been through so much.

  Mozart on classical piano enlightens the room. My phone rings.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey Rach, We’re still on for tonight, right?”

  “Yeah, I was just about to step into the shower.”

  “Good!” she chirps, on the other end of the line.

  Is that the clapping of hands I hear in the background? The things that get this girl excited.

  “Oh, and remember to text me the address,” I remind her.

  “Done. Go get ready,” she rushes.

  “Okay, I’m going to,” I snicker.

  “Tonight’s going to be awesome,” she sings.

  I submerge my body in the water, leaving only my head above.

  “I wonder if David is going to make it to the date tonight; he had this sudden case.” Drying my hand with a towel, I stretch toward the counter, dialing David’s number. Admiration fills my head, taking in the contact photo, which pops up on the screen of my mobile phone. It’s the picture of David and I at our engagement party, well it's actually the New Year's party, the same party where I was the only one who didn’t know it would have turned out to be my secret engagement party.

  My lips form into a semi-circle, even as I recall the events on the first day of this year.

  David picks up.

  “Hey, are you on your way?” I question.

  “I’m actually coming up in the elevator.”

  “I thought you said you had this sudden case?”

  “Um, my patient didn't make it so I'm free. I just had to do some paper work.”

  “We could do a rain check for tonight if you’re not up to it.”

  Wow, he's a mess. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him like this; he’s always the tough one. I pull him into a heart-warming cradle.

  “Hey, look at me,” I whisper softly.

  Hesitantly, he turns his head toward me, meeting my gaze half-way.

  “You just had a terrible night. There’s nothing wrong with you shedding a tear. Forget about that nonsense that men shouldn’t cry. A real man is one who is strong, rough when necessary, a protector, all of which you are. But a real man is also one who doesn’t keep his emotions bottled up because he knows bottled up emotions turn to anger. Do you understand me, David?” He nods.

  “She was just five years old. She was heading home with her parents when a crack-addict hits their vehicle with his van. When she got to the ER, she was fine but her parents were already pretty damaged. I called for Pediatrics, they said they had checked her out and she as fine but yet, still an hour later, she dies from internal bleeding. Before, she held my hand, her tiny hand wrapped around my pinky finger, begging me to save her mommy and daddy. Her parents survived but she didn’t,” he sniffles.

  “I’m so sorry, Babe,” I sigh. “Are you sure you’re up for tonight?” I question again.

  “Yeah, I really just need to get my mind off work,” he grumbles slowly, pulling away.

  Chapter 13

  I step back, looking in the full-length mirror that's mounted on the wall of my closet. If medicine doesn’t work out, maybe I could turn to fashion. I pull my black waist-high leggings, which had been neatly tucked in my black timberland boots, over my thighs. My long sleeve, red off the shoulder top completes the package.

  I turn to look at David, who seems to have finished dressing ages ago. He rises from the bed, his hands in the pockets of his black skinny jeans, which is tucked in his black timberland, just like mine. The red mariner peeps through the perfectly draped black leather jacket. I could just stand here, admiring him all night.

  “Are we gonna get going or are you just gonna keep gawking at me,” he interrupts.

  My face reddens from embarrassment.

  “Let go Ms. Fashionista.” He sets his left arm akimbo, for me to join him.

  *****

  “Another Strike! Go, Babe!” David cheers on from behind as the bowling pins tumble down from the impact of the ball.

  “How comes I didn’t know you were this good at bowling?” He bursts out.

  “Guess there’s still a lot of things you don’t know about me,” I tease, walking toward him.

  When you’re in love, it’s hard for you to even think straight or remember that you are not alone in the world. We break from our moment as Clarke shouts.

  “Hey David, It’s you turn. Please remember, no fraternizing with the enemy.”

  “Good Luck,” I cheer, walking away to sit with Robynett.

  From where I’m sitting, I lay eyes on David. He runs up, releases the ball and – BAM! Every bowling pin topples over. David throws his fist in the air with victory, turns around and gives me a wink. I blush, uncontrollably and blow him an air kiss, which he catches.

  “You guys are so dang cute.” Robynett pulls me back to reality.

  “Thank You. You and Clarke are quite a couple as well,” I retaliate.

  “He’s a really good guy, Rach, and he treats me well. He actually took the story about my crash pretty well.”

  “Wow. He knows everything, even about ...”

  “Yeah, even about Robyn.”

  “This one is a keeper then,” we grin.

  I’m really happy for her. She is getting her life b
ack together.

  I take in a deep breath in...

  “I wanted to talk to you about something, Robynett.”

  “Me too,” she hoots.

  Like silly kids, we play rock-paper-scissors to see who goes first. Robynett wins and faces me to begin speaking.

  “I’ve– been thinking about what you said about me possibly being Robyn, and um.... I know this is the season for families to come together. I was wondering if you could call um.... Robyn’s parents...my parents and ask them if I could visit,” she breathes outs, playing with the torn fabric on her jeans.

  I feel this sharp pain in my forehead. I'm bolded. I can’t believe it. I was just about to make the same request.

  “I would love to,” I brighten. “You know, that’s exactly what I was gonna ask of you.”

  “Thank you Rach; you have no idea how much this means to me.”

  “You– have noo idea how much this means to me.” I extend my hands to her and excitedly, she grabs me into one of the tightest hugs I’ve had in a while.

  Very good job, Rachel. Now, the only thing you have to do is– convince the Blakes that their daughter is back.

  Probably I should have thought about that before but anyway, that will be the easiest thing to do, especially since Robyn’s parents never fully accepted that she was 'gone'.

  Chapter 14

  I tap my feet against the mahogany wooden floor, waiting as the phone rings.

  Come on Scarlett, pick up the phone.

  “Hello, Good morning, Scarlett’s Wedding Services,” this woman answers.

  Well, this is obviously not Scarlett.

  “Hello. My name is Rachel King. Could I speak with Scarlett Reeves please?”

  “Oh, you’re Rachel, the doctor right?” she goes over.

  “Yup, that’s me.”

  “Ms. Reeves has told me to inform you that she will not be able to offer her services to you because you have missed too many meetings and neither you nor your fiancé has contacted us in 2 months,” she explains.