Knock ,knock…..knock, knock
Joan opened her eyes tiredly, after a brief moment of confusion, she felt some light seeping through the window.
Knock, knock
"Joan get up, or you will be late " Joan heard Lily's harried voice, behind the door.
"I'm up, go ahead, I will catch up with you " Joan got up from her bed, not bothering to open the door for Lily.
"Okay, but hurry up" Lily said, as Joan heard her stepping away.
Joan gathered her necessities and headed to the bathroom, anyone could tell she had a restless night,from her steps and the dark circles under her eyes. All that was because her time of the month was yesterday, but she totally forgot about it. No wonder, she felt like she forgot something yesterday. Thankfully she got her period after the end of her shift, so she could cope with it at night.
"So, how are you now? it's my first time seeing you having a hard time waking up" Lily asked, while biting on her bread.
"Much better, I went to bed late last night so I had a hard time waking up" Joan replied before sipping her tea.
She realized she didn't have any supplies, so she took unused ones from lily.
"Assist Miss Ruth change into her clothes " Edith instructed Joan as usual,while handing a cup of water to another patient.
Miss Ruth was being discharged today. She was supposed to stay for a few more days for observation, but Miss Ruth couldn't hold back any more and insisted on being discharged.
"Her nephew is picking her up," Edith commented. Joan nodded in response indifferently.
Ruth's family came later on the day she was accepted at the hospital, then her nephew and niece were the one who kept her company in rotation. As they are all busy with their jobs and studies. Joan had to admit that Miss Ruth's family was rather good looking, including her nephew. Though he had slightly shifty eyes whenever he spoke to the nurses.
"Thank you for your help during this time" Ruth thanked Joan with a gentle smile while handing her a small folded envelope.Seeing the envelope in her hand she instantly reacted.
"That isn't necessary, Mrs. Ruth." Joan said, trying to back away gently.
"Please. It would ease my conscience." Ruth continued reaching out her hand. After some insisting from Miss Ruth, Joan accepted politely. Opening the folded envelope after sending Ruth out, Joan found two dollars in it. It was a generous gesture, considering that patients are not even obligated to give a tip for the job.
Getting back to the ward, Joan began changing the bed sheets with clean ones cleaning the bedside table and the utility. Then it was lunch time, she distributed food trays with Edith. At the same time, a trainee nearly dropped a tray after being bumped by a passing orderly, earning a tired sigh from one of the senior nurses.
"Wait for me before going out today, I want you to buy something for me, as I won't have the time to buy it later" this was a senior nurse who was close to Edith.
"Of course, what are your plans tomorrow?" Joan heard Edith question, as she headed to the dining hall slowly.
"Helen. Do you want to eat my share?I don't have much of an appetite today" Joan said, handing more than half of her lunch to Helen, as Lily doesn't eat much herself.
"What is wrong with you today? Are you having an upset stomach?"Helen asked worriedly, as she knows Joan doesn't eat less than her usually.
"Yes" Joan replied briefly, as she didn't want to discuss it over lunch.
"It's her time of the month" Lily interrupted, indifferent to the bite in her mouth.
"Ooh, I have some candies in my room, I will give you some later" Helen paused the continued " Or do you want it now?"
"No need, I will take it after our shift " Joan replied cheerfully, but didn't bother to thank her, at this point, such formalities felt unnecessary between them
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