Page 12 of Remedy: Love In Scrubs
“Sure. Give me a few charts,” I replied.
I spent the next few hours working through the ER, seeing patients with everything from fractured wrists to minor lacerations. It wasn't the complex orthopedic work I specialized in, but it kept my hands busy and my mind occupied. For a while, at least.
"Dr. Yerba, we've got an incoming trauma," a nurse called out. "Motorcycle versus car. ETA three minutes."
Finally. Something substantial. I made my way to the trauma bay and started prepping. When the paramedics wheeled in the patient, I immediately assessed the damage. Male, mid-twenties, with an obvious open fracture of the left femur and what looked like multiple rib fractures.
"Let's get X-rays stat and prep an O.R.," I ordered, falling into the familiar rhythm of trauma management. This was where I belonged, not in some stuffy conference room being lectured by a beautiful attorney with legs for days and a mind sharper than my scalpel.
"Patient's BP is dropping," the nurse announced, pulling me fully into the moment.
"Push fluids and get two units of O-neg on standby," I instructed, focusing on the task at hand.
For the next several hours, I was in my element. The patient had multiple fractures requiring surgical intervention, and I worked methodically to repair the damage. The next few hours were a blur of activity, and I moved on autopilot setting the femur, stabilizing the rib fractures, ensuring there was no internal bleeding. By the time I closed the final incision, I felt centered again. The high of a successful surgery coursed through my veins, better than any drug. My body also reminded me that I was getting older. my shoulders ached and my neck was stiff, but I knew it was a feeling I wouldn’t change for the world. Saving a life was beautiful. Of course, it didn’t always turn out like today had, but for now I got to inwardly celebrate as I headed to tell this young man’s loved ones that he would pull through.
"Nice work, Dr. Yerba," one of the nurses said as I was scrubbing out.
"Thanks," I replied, letting the hot water run over my hands. "The kid's lucky. Another inch and that femur would have severed his femoral artery."
"Well, he's got the best looking out for him now."
I smiled at the O.R. nurse. She was a cute, tall caramel woman. If I hadn’t already learned the lesson of fucking hospital employees, I would have invited her home to help with continuing my distraction. Instead, I got my libido under control, thanked her, and finished scrubbing.
When I finally made it back to my office, it was well past nine. I collapsed into my chair, exhausted but satisfied. This was what I needed—to be reminded of who I was and what I was good at. I wasn't just some doctor being sued; I was Dr. Aries Yerba, the best orthopedic surgeon in all of Colorado, and one of the best in the country.
My phone dinged as I was coming down from my operating high, and I shook my head.
Marcus: Dinner tonight? Angela wants to get to know my family better.
There was no way that woman was on the same page as him. She was not falling in love with my brother after a few days of knowing him. However, my curiosity definitely got the best of me.
Me: Sure. I just got out of surgery. Give me thirty minutes to get out of these scrubs. Where are we meeting?
Marcus: The new Italian place on Fifth Street. Ricci's. We’re headed over there now. I’ll order your usual bourbon, neat.
Me: Thanks. See you in a few.
I quickly changed out of my scrubs and into my slacks from earlier and a button-up, then grabbed my keys, and headed out.
The restaurant was dimly lit with that intimate ambiance that screameddate night. I spotted Marcus and Angela at a corner table, and my brother's face lit up when he saw me approaching. Angela looked stunning in a black dress that hugged her curves perfectly, but what struck me was how comfortable they already seemed together. Maybe Marcus wasn't completely delusional this time.
"There's my brother!" Marcus stood and pulled me into a one-armed bro hug. I hugged him back. Marcus was always the affectionate one of the two of us. It was probably due to him being the younger sibling, and parents doting on him, playing fully into thatthat’s my babyroutine. It didn’t bother me. Marcus always being up under our parents allowed me to have a longer leash. I welcomed him being the center of attention.
“What’s up, Marcus?”
“Nothing much. You know… just chillin’ with my lady.”
I turned to Angela and greeted her. “Angela. It’s good to see you again.”
She stepped closer and hugged me as well. “It’s good to see you again as well, Aries.”
"Thank you for coming, Aries," Angela said. "Marcus has told me so much about you."
"All good things, I hope," I replied, sliding into the seat across from them.
"Mostly," she said with a wink that made me like her instantly. Anyone who could tease my brother had potential.
The bourbon Marcus had promised was waiting for me, and I took a long sip, letting the familiar burn coat my throat. The surgery had taken the edge off my earlier frustration, but being around my brother's new romance was reminding me of my own complicated feelings.
