Surgeon Heart

Chapter Eleven - Internship

Drew

Drew’s first week as a surgical intern at Mercy Heart Hospital was a whirlwind of adrenaline and exhaustion. From the moment she stepped into the bustling corridors of the hospital, the air seemed charged with the urgency of life and the gravity of death. As she moved through the halls of the surgical wing she couldn’t shake the excitement and nervousness that coiled within her.

She stood in front of the hospital with the city skyline painted in hues of pink and gold in the early morning light. Underneath her excitement, Drew carried the weight of personal tragedy. Many in her intern class would not know that she had already encountered the chief of surgery, Dr. Sebastian Hart and it was a heart-wrenching tale.

Assigned to the surgical ward, Drew found herself assisting seasoned surgeons with procedures that ranged from routine appendectomies to complex cardiac surgeries. The sterile smell of the operating room became both familiar and unsettling as she scrubbed in, hands trembling with a mixture of fear and determination. Days blurred into nights as she immersed herself in her duties, attempting to bury the memories of the day her father passed away on Dr. Hart’s operating table.

That first day after rounds, Drew was stopped by a nervous looking intern who had noticed Drew answering questions during rounds with finesse.

“Hey, Drew, mind if I pick your brain about central lines, Dr. Hart wants me to put one in and I could use some insights.”

“Sure, no problem. We practiced in school but it can be a challenge for a breathing person. What do you need help with?”

The intern hesitated for a moment before confessing, “I’m nervous about placement, especially avoiding complications. Any tips you’ve picked up during your first week so far?”

Drew leaned in, her eyes reflecting a shared understanding of the challenges. “Absolutely. First, pay close attention to the anatomy. Knowing the landmarks can make the entire process smoother. And remember, patience is key. Take your time positioning the needle correctly before advancing.” She thought for a moment, “and communication with the patient helps a lot, you ease their mind and yours.”

The intern thanked her for the insight and moved on down the hall to the room she needed to go to next. Drew continued on to the patient's room where she was paged to just moments before.

Sebastian, once a formidable presence, now bore the weight of their shared history. His stern demeanor, once a symbol of authority, became a silent acknowledgement of the sacrifice Drew had made. It was Dr. Hart who had helped her resume her medical journey after she had put her life on hold to care for her ailing father.

As she maneuvered the hospital corridors, Drew aimed to avoid direct encounters with Sebastian. Conflicting emotions stirred within her. The desire to prove herself as a capable intern and the enduring gratitude for the chief of surgery who had paved the way for her return.

Late one evening, Drew found solace in the break room, reviewing patient charts. Unbeknownst to her, Dr. Hart entered the room, the weight of their shared history etched on his face. Their eyes met, and a silent understanding passed between them, transcending the typical doctor-patient relationship.

The weekend brought a temporary reprieve, allowing Drew to reflect on the whirlwind of her first week. Marveling at the intricacies of the human body, she pondered the resilience of the human spirit. Thoughts of Dr. Hart resurfaced, but this time, they were intertwined with gratitude and profound understanding of the interconnectedness of their professional and personal lives.

Yet, fate had more surprises in store for Drew. As she walked through the hospital corridors, lost in thought, she unexpectedly collided with her ex, Dr. Jason Keyes, known as “Dr. Plastic” for his role as the head of plastics. The chart she had been holding fell to the floor, she immediately dropped down to gather the papers, anything to avoid a conversation with Jason. He squatted down as well to help gather the papers she had been holding. Their eyes met, and an awkward tension filled the air.

She took the papers from him then, muttered a quick thank you and barreled down the hall away from him and any possible conversation so she could make rounds on time. She did not want to have anything to do with him, but eventually she would end up on rotation with him and have to interact with him as an intern, hopefully he could keep things professional because she had every intention of doing just that.

Later that day, in a nearby lounge, their paths crossed again, leading to a conversation that hinted at a deeper undercurrent. Drew and Jason exchanged barged comments, a blend of professional rivalry and personal history surfacings in the charged atmosphere of the hospital.

“Drew, didn’t know you were back. Thought you would be too busy with family matters,” Jason sneered, but the emotion didn’t quite reach his brown eyes, his gaze betrayed a hint of longing.

“Well, some of us prefer real connections over superficial ones,” Drew shot back, catching a subtle yearning in Jason’s eyes.

The room crackled with tension as the past collided with the present. Despite the catty exchange, Drew sensed an unspoken desire in Jason’s words, a yearning that echoed beneath the surface. A yearning that she wanted nothing to do with, especially after he basically broke up with her because she dropped out of medicine to take care of her father.

She turned on her heel and left the lounge without so much as a backwards glance, putting much needed distance between her and Jason. She certainly didn’t want to entertain any more conversation between her and Jason at this moment because while he may be full of venom there was something else there she didn’t want to explore.

As she faced the second week, Drew, marked by loss, resilience, gratitude, and unexpected encounters, contemplated the intricate tapestry of her journey as a surgical intern, where past and present intertwined in unexpected ways.