A Heartbeat Away by Harry Kraus Read Free Book Online Page A

wrapped the sheet around to cover Tori’s breasts while pulling up her gown to expose her sternal scar. Dr. Marsh leaned forward, still holding pressure over the hematoma. “It looks okay.”
    The intern looked at the nurse. “I’ll need you to get some help to move her back to bed.”
    â€œOh no, we’re not moving her. It will increase her chances of bleeding.” She shook her head. “Not on my shift. She stays on the floor.”
    â€œBut it’s wet and cold. Get that hard plastic transfer board and we’ll log roll her onto it while I hold pressure.”
    â€œNot a good idea. I say hold pressure on the floor.”
    â€œBut we need to do this for an hour.”
    â€œNot my problem.” The nurse stood up and pushed past the young nurse’s aide, who was wide-eyed and peering over Dr. Marsh’s shoulder. “I’ve got charting to do.” With that, she disappeared.
    Dr. Marsh mumbled, calling her colorful names under his breath.
    â€œDon’t,” Tori said. “I’ve not made many friends among the nursing staff. Now I’m paying for it.”
    â€œIt’s still not right.” He flipped open his cell phone. “I’ll call my team. We can get you back to bed without Nurse Coldhearted.”
    â€œDon’t call her that. It’s my fault.” Tori couldn’t help it. Tears began pouring down her cheeks.
    â€œDr. Taylor?” The intern’s eyes were wide.
    â€œEver heard of the Golden Rule?”
    â€œSure,” he said. “I went to Sunday school.”
    â€œGood,” she said. “I didn’t. So you should know better. This is what you get when you don’t use it.”
    That evening, Phin MacGrath pushed open Tori’s door.
    She looked up. “You’re keeping late hours.”
    He shrugged. “Gotta love the life of the single hospital social worker, eh?”
    Her stomach tightened. Was Phin here for a counseling session?
    Phin had changed from his hospital attire. He wore faded blue jeans and a print shirt opened to the third button. He read her anxious face. “Look, I stopped in late because I thought we’d be less likely to be interrupted. Dr. Parrish told me your dilemma. You’re being forced into counseling.” He chuckled. “My favorite situation.”
    â€œSeems the board has handed down an ultimatum. Get counseling or find a new job.” She paused. “I’ll be honest. I don’t want to talk. I’ve never been much for bearing my feelings. I’ve handled my own problems all my life.”
    â€œFair enough.” He leaned back. “Let’s not talk about feelings. Why don’t you just tell me about what you want.”
    His approach disarmed her. His smile didn’t hurt either. “Wh-what I want?”
    â€œSure. Tell me about your goals.”
    She shrugged. “That’s easy. I want to get back to work, return to oncology surgery. I want to make a difference in the lives of my patients.”
    â€œBut something has come up. There’s an obstacle blocking your goal.” He held up his hands. “This.” He paused. “You need to work some things out before you can get back to the job you love.”
    She nodded, sighing.
    â€œDo you want to talk about your anger?”
    â€œI’m not angry.”
    â€œLook, I’ve been around here long enough to have heard the stories.”
    â€œThe stories aren’t necessarily true. I’m hard on the nurses. That part is true. But I don’t discipline them in anger.”
    â€œYou call them names.”
    â€œ Stupid isn’t a name. It’s an adjective. And in most cases, an accurate one.”
    â€œSo in your mind, anger is not an issue.”
    â€œNow we’re communicating.”
    â€œMaybe we should talk about perfectionism, driven behaviors.”
    â€œTell me something, Phin. If you were seeing a surgeon because