MY ART IS LOVING YOU

Lucia Meller

Work and studying have consumed my life ever since I began my journey working at this hospital. After finishing medical school, I was fortunate enough to secure a place in the Pediatric Master’s Degree program at Melithes Kerls Hospital. However, I have no free time whatsoever. I am constantly exhausted, waking up at 5 a.m. every morning to arrive on time, unsure when my shift would finally come to an end. I yearn for a vacation, a chance to unwind; just relax and let go of my troubles.

Two months ago, I was working with autistic children, children with Down’s Syndrome, premature babies, and others. I liked working with these kids; they are so sweet and helpless. I love being able to help them. But everything has been much more complicated since I moved to a different area.

I liked working in that area. It is a challenging yet rewarding experience. Once you know how to handle these endearing children, you learn to love them, and the job gets easier in time. Most people treat them like sick children and don’t know how to act around them. If only they could see that they simply live in a different world than we do. They are just like us, except they possess unique qualities, and there is no need to treat them differently. And the premature babies, I take immense joy witnessing their miraculous journey from being born so tiny to growing and overcoming all obstacles and becoming big healthy kids with loving and devoted parents by their side; it is so beautiful.

A couple of months ago, a woman with a rather snobbish and arrogant demeanor came in. I suspect she may be the wife of the Bank owner. The same bank that is funding the renovation of the hospital. Accompanied by her daughter, who appeared to be around my age, possibly 26- or 29-years old maximum. She seemed somewhat familiar to me, but where have I seen her before? Anyway, they plan on expanding the hospital, building new areas for kids to play while they wait to be seen by the doctor. Additionally, they intend to donate new equipment. It is a commendable project, and I sincerely hope it is not just a fake promise and doesn’t take too long. Fortunately, they have already begun working on some areas and brought in equipment for the Doctors’ offices.

“Hey Lucia, where are you going?” I heard someone calling far away but I just kept walking. I wasn’t in the mood for small talk right now. “Lucia, wait up!”

Sofia catches up to me slightly out of breath. “What’s wrong? Why are you running?” I ask her.

“I’m running late, and the boss is going to kill me. I can’t stand her.”

I believe her. Sofia is working at the Observation Area today and our boss is a perpetually grumpy and bitter woman, always finding something to criticize about. She won’t yell at her for being late but because she has brown hair or something like that.

“Don’t worry too much. You know what that ogre is like.” I speak. “Whether you are late or on time, whether you do something right or wrong, she will always find a reason to yell at us. It’s part of her daily routine. She is a little crazy.”

“Well, that’s true. Anyways, where are you off to?” she asks. I kept on calling you and you didn’t seem to hear me. Or were you simply ignoring me? “ I straight up lied to her face. Little white lies won’t hurt anyone, and they’ll help you get out of a jam.

“I didn’t hear you. I was heading towards the cafeteria to grab some juice and then I had to go to the laboratory to conduct some tests.”

“Did you see the equipment they are taking up to the third floor?”, she asks, changing the subject. “Boxes, incubators, and beautiful chairs. I believe it is for the Premature Babies Area.”

“I haven’t seen anything personally, but I guess so. The doctor there told me they were starting to construct over there, and that the directors have been overseeing it regularly. But I won’t believe it till I see it.”

“Come on Lucia don’t be so harsh. They’ve accomplished quite a lot in just a few months, don’t you think?” No.

“I truly haven’t seen anything, Sofía. I just heard about the equipment being brought and some cleaning taking place but that is it.

The Bank ladies haven’t even visited anymore. Although I do appreciate their effort and I hope to see it finished.”

“Why are you always so negative? Have some faith, girl.” Sofia remarks.

“I have faith. In fact, I am the most optimistic person here. However, I’m also realistic. Tell me something, how many times have they made promises to fix the areas, and yet they remain the same as we speak?” I respond.

“Good morning doctors. What are the beauties of this hospital drinking today?” Sergio, the owner of the cafeteria greets us. He has been working here for years and is a middle-aged man, around his fifties.

Sergio is a genuinely kind man who knows how to uplift every single person in the hospital, especially after a late-night shift or during a rough day. We affectionately refer to him as the soul healer around here.

“Good morning Mr. Sergio. I’ll have hot chocolate and coffee for Sofia, please.” I ask politely.

“Black please, really strong. I need strength to handle what’s coming,” Sofia adds.

“Turn that frown upside down, my child,” Sergio responds with a warm smile. “My coffee will make you feel better.” He hands us two cups of coffee, and as Sofia and I exchange confused glances, he interrupts our thoughts. “This is to make your worries go away, my child. Trust me, she hasn’t been here all day, and she is going to need one,” Sergio says with a playful wink.

“Thank you,” Sofia replies, discouraged. “I hope you put cyanide in it. It’s the only way to calm the beast down.”

The three of us burst into laughter. As Sofia leaves, I sit down at one of the tables. Soon, a couple of colleagues joined me later, including my best friend, Santiago. We’ve been friends since we were kids, even before we were born. Our parents were really close friends, so we practically grew up like the siblings we never had. We tell each other everything and know each other inside out.

He affectionately calls me “Sweet” because of a conversation we had where I referred to him as my guardian angel and he said I was his sweet companion. Since then, the nickname stuck. I am his Sweet, and he is my Angel.

“Hey Sweet, I thought you were doing hospital rounds,” he greets me.

“I am on my way,” I reply. “I just stopped by to get my energy dose to jump- start the day. What about you? I thought you were in the Operating Room.”

“Not today,” he responds. “The area is closed. Apparently, they are checking the pipelines or something. The place is full of construction workers and their bosses.”

“That’s weird,” Hannah, another colleague chimes in. “Even if this place were to fall apart, you can’t shut down an area. Let alone an Operating Room. It’s a crime.”

“From what I saw,” Santiago adds, “they look like very important people. I overheard them talking about the changes they are going to make here.

“Maybe they come from the Bank. I saw some people bringing up boxes and other utensils,” Daina, one of my best and closest friends, says.

“About time. I am tired and discouraged,” I complained.

“Get a boyfriend. I told you already,” says Daina once again.

Daina and I went to medical school together and our bond is like that of sisters. We’ve been through every shift, medical round, and more together. Ever since I confessed to her that I have NO experience whatsoever with a man, she has been constantly on my back, nagging me to find one.

“That’s what you need to make all your troubles and frustrations go away," she insists. “It’s been 25 years, girl, stop being so picky. Men like the ones you dream of do not exist.”

“I’ve told you already, that I am not picky,” I respond.” It’s just that I’ve waited so long for the right guy, I am not going to lose my virginity to the first i***t who comes along. Besides, I am not even thinking about that. I am content where I am. Men just bother, demand, and try to control you. The right man will come, I asked the universe for it, and he’ll come. So, drop it for crying out loud.”