Gayle looked at the clock on the wall over her desk at the nurse’s station, then stood up. “Time for the 2 AM rounds,” she told her fellow nurse Debbie. “You want me to get this one alone so you can catch a little nap?”
Debbie smiled wryly, “Yes, if you’re sure you don’t mind. My feet and back are killing me tonight.”
“I’m not surprised. You’ve pulled a double shift for how many nights in a row now, 4? 5? You’re going to burn yourself out if you don’t stop soon.”
“I know, but with Dave not working, I’ve got to make sure we keep some money coming in. I can never re-pay you for letting me catch these little naps, Gayle.”
“Don’t worry about it, Debbie. I’m sure that you’ll be able to do something for me someday too. Now I better get started. You just go back in the office and no one will know you’re not out helping me, after all everyone should be asleep.”
“Okay, but if anything is wrong, come get me so I can help you.”
“I will…now you get in there and get your nap.” With those parting words, Gayle turned and headed for the first room. She entered quietly and went over to check on the woman sleeping in the bed. She checked the IV drip to make sure it was running, then made a note of the time and left the room. She glanced over and saw the office was dark, then entered each occupied room in turn, checking on the welfare of the patients. At last she came to the last occupied room on the floor and entered it.
She walked over to the sleeping man and looked down at the ruggedly handsome face, framed by dark curls. She turned and checked his IV drip too, noting that he was still on the morphine drip. She reached out and touched him lightly on the arm. No response. She shook his arm a little harder, still no response. She lifted her hand to his face and ran a fingertip gently over his lips. Still no response. Satisfied, she walked over to the door and looked down the hallway again. No one in sight, just as she expected. With the beginning of another smile spreading across her lovely lips, she turned back into the room. She eased the door shut, then locked it before returning to the bed and the man lying in it.
Stretching out her hand, she took the top of the sheet and began pulling it down. She pulled it completely off the sleeping man, so that he was lying there on his back, clad in his hospital gown and a pair of socks. She ran a fingernail up the inside of his leg, watch for a response but knowing that the morphine would keep him unconscious. Not seeing one, she stepped back from the bed and took a tissue from the pocket of her uniform. She wiped her lips carefully, removing every trace of lipstick from them as she smiled again.