Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Oops (01/14/10)
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TITLE: FROM THE RIB | Previous Challenge Entry
By Philippa Geaney
01/21/10 -
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‘Am I understanding You Lord?’ Arch whispered.
The Lord did not reply; He didn’t need to.
‘Wow Lord wow’.
****
Wendy signed off her patient notes, slipped them into the ‘medical records’ trolley and looked up at the clock. One pm; the day was half done. Work seemed harder on Sundays; partially because she was missing church - especially the worship - and partially because Sunday afternoons in Accident and Emergency resembled a war zone. No place for the faint hearted when the inevitable football injuries started rolling in.
‘Oh well I don’t do it every Sunday’
‘Who is the Orthopaedist today, Wendy?’ The Triage Nurse popped her head around the corner. ‘We’ve got our first broken bone’.
‘So early’, Wendy crossed her eyes in mock horror. ‘Garrett Willingham is our orthopaedist.’
Since his arrival six months ago Garrett had proved to be an efficient surgeon, compassionate and low maintenance in the ego department. Wendy’s added delight was in knowing him as a fellow Christian. He and his bride Miranda had joined her church and they were all becoming good friends.
Several times lately, Wendy surprised herself by wishing she too was married; and to someone like Garrett. She was twenty-five after all. Though, such musings didn’t last long. She knew it was best to wait on the Lord. Her times were in His hands.
The Triage Nurse’s sing song voice called her back to the present. ‘You’ll have to come and sort this one out Wendy.’ She beckoned towards X-ray.
‘A problem?’ Wendy frowned and scanned the area indicated as a chart was pressed firmly into her hands. She payed it no attention.
‘Garrett? ‘…What are you doing? You’re hurt!’ Wendy tried to take it all in as she ran an assessing eye over the dishevelled patient and his ripped football jersey. Have you lost your mind? Football?’ She almost shrieked.
‘Well actually you’ve got it wrong, I’m…’ His voice seemed different.
But Wendy had seen enough.
‘Ok let’s think. You’ve been x-rayed. You’ll need someone other than yourself…’ Wendy looked carefully into brown eyes. Were they always this dark?
‘Pupils are equal? Yes. Ok, we need another Orthopaedist.’
But her patient wasn’t listening. He was staring at her name badge.
‘WOW –the acronym for Wendy Olivia Wright is WOW. He searched Wendy’s face. ‘I believe Adam said WOW when God first presented Eve in the garden. It was love at first sight.’
Wendy straightened and smiled a little wistfully. ‘Yes Father’, she mused, ‘someone like Garrett would suit me fine. Miranda is blessed’.
‘You think Adam said “wow”’? Wendy considered the scenario out loud but decided not to go there either. ‘You know what I think? I think maybe the Triage team has already given you narcotics. If they have, I can start cutting you out of your jersey.
Let’s have a look.’ Wendy lifted his chart for the first time to search the notes.
‘I wasn’t playing…’ He didn’t finish because the cubicle curtains flew open.
‘Yo Arch! What on earth have you done to yourself?’ A cautiously cheerful Garrett, with all bones intact, stood holding the cubicle curtain aloft. ‘Triage tells me you have fractured a rib.’
‘Feels like it Gar. I was cutting the top of your tree away from the overhead power lines. My way of saying thanks for giving me a bed until I find a place of my own.’
Garrett nodded. ‘Miranda told me she found you in a heap. You need a wife mate. They keep us out of trouble. Anyway, all is well. I am not allowed to prescribe care for my own family, but un-displaced ribs heal on their own. Wendy will tidy you up.’ Garrett looked at Wendy for the first time.
‘Opps! Hang on! Wendy’s looking very surprised. I should introduce you. Wendy this ruffian is my twin brother Archer. People get us mixed up all the time. Only difference is he sings much better than me. Our Pastor has just asked him to be the new worship leader. Great eh?’
But he was speaking to himself. The man with the broken rib and the woman with the wow were staring at each other as though for the first time.
(747words)
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