Our Duty

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Polly closed her book and rubbed her eyes then lay her head on the small wooden desk. “I’m never going to pass state boards next year, Aggie. I can’t even remember all the crap for the test tomorrow. The atriums and ventricles and vena cavas just swim in my head in a mess that could never pump blood.”

“Don’t worry so much, Polly. Lordy, state boards are almost a year away; take one test at a time.” Polly lifted her head as Aggie massaged her neck and shoulders.

“Hmmmm, that feels so good. Thanks, Aggie.”

Maybe we both need a break. I have a couple of nickels; let’s go get a coke.”

“Well, I am really thirsty. But, I’m bringing my book. If Gorgon sees us, I don’t need her thinking that I’m wasting study time.”

“Garrity, you have got to stop calling Sister Gregory ‘Gorgon.’ One of these days you’re gonna slip and do it to her face.” Polly hmphed as they neared the canteen. “And, you need to get some confidence and stop worrying so much. We all know that you’re one of the best, most caring nurses in our class.” Polly opened the door and clinking cups and cheerful chatter broke the quiet of the hall. Aggie continued, “Think about Mrs. Hunt who wanted to hire you as her private nurse. She never had a decent word to say about anyone or anything. And how many new parents have given you shoe stamps in gratitude for all you did?”

“Oh, I just knew how to butter Mrs. Hunt up, and those stamps got me in hot water too.”

“How?”

“Old Gorgon has an eagle eye or a snitch. She told me, ‘Nurses are not allowed to accept gifts from patients, and you, young lady, are not even a nurse!’ I bet I know who her snitch is too.”

Lowering her voice, Aggie gasped, “Who would be so awful?”

“I think it’s that damned Zedrich!”

“Stella? Why would she?” Waving to a couple of other young women leaving a table, Aggie added, “Besides, I think the government needs to give nurses extra stamps since we’re on our feet so much. I think I’ll ask Daddy to write our congressman about it.”

“You get right on that, Miss Aggie Beat. Like Congress has time to think about nurses—other than maybe drafting us!”

Moving to the counter, Aggie ordered two cokes while pretending not to notice the flirting from the rail-thin waiter. Turning toward Polly, she whispered, “I still can’t believe you think Stella told Sister about the stamps.”

“Here you go, ladies. Specially cold for the cutest nurses at St.

Francis.” The soda jerk smiled.

“Thanks, for the cokes, Roy. Seems I heard you tell Cavanaugh and Hay the same thing yesterday; you’re such a ladies’ man,” Polly teased. The girls chuckled as he bowed slightly, spinning his towel toward the counter.

“What can I say? The Lord blessed us all when I was designated 4-F and got a job at this hospital.”

Noticing a vacated table, the girls wove through others filled with white uniformed nurses and doctors. “Everyone must’ve gotten thirsty at the same time,” Polly said. “You know, Aggie, the more I think about it, since Zedrich has no bedside skills to impress Gorgon I’m sure she’s teacher’s tattle tale! What a joke for a nurse. Can’t even give a shot without the patients cringing.” Then Polly whispered, “She probably reported me to save her own ass if Sister found out she had been sunbathing on the roof.”

A young intern rising from an adjacent table bent and whispered into Polly’s ear, “Maybe I’ll sign up with Uncle Sam so you can feel patriotic and entertain me.” He sauntered to the door but glanced back and saluted mischievously.

Polly’s eyes exploded as her face flamed. “That son-of-a-b***h!”

“What did he say about being patriotic? Did it have something to do with the whispering about you on the roof?”

“For heaven’s sake nothing really happened. Some of us just tried to cool off and get a little tan. It’s the only place around here where we could.”

“If there’s no story, why is there hush-hush talking about you giving the fly boys a treat?”

“If you must know…” Polly bent close and whispered a silly version of her flashing the pilots.

Aggie sputtered coke across the table. “What in the world were you thinking?”

“Oh, I was just doin’ my patriotic duty, entertaining the troops a little.”

When Aggie lost control and chortled loudly, Polly couldn’t help but join in while everyone in the canteen looked their way.

“Garrity, will you please stop being so crazy! You’ll be a fantastic nurse, but not if you get kicked out!”

“Oh, Beat, they won’t kick me out. What would the nuns do without all the slave labor from us student nurses?At least we aren’t freshmen any more. I think I’d puke right in the basin if I had to clean all those bedpans again.” Polly wrinkled her nose. “Besides, haven’t you heard? We’re at war, and nurses are valuable. The minute we graduate we’ll be drafted and sent to some hell hole! Gotta live it up now!”

Aggie looked seriously at her friend, “Uncle Sam is not going to draft women, Polly! But, even if you don’t get kicked out, Sister

Gregory can make life really miserable.” The girls saw others coming in, so they waved them over and rose to leave. “Try to behave yourself. Life wouldn’t be half the fun if Sister takes away your privileges and you’re always working.”

They waved to Roy and left the canteen. Aggie stopped when struck with thought. “I have an idea how you can get on Sister’s good side. Why don’t you start going to 6:30 Mass once in a while with some of us? It might even help you have more confidence with the book stuff.”

“Beat, you’re so damned holy. How did we ever get to be friends?” Polly gave Aggie a hug. “I guess I’ll show up once in a while if you think it’ll help keep Gorgon off my back. Besides, I’ll need all the help I can get from the Man upstairs when I’m in a field hospital in the South Pacific or Europe.” Now it was Aggie’s turn to roll her eyes, but Polly continued, “Hey, I just thought of something; maybe Gorgon is a blessing. After her, if we get drafted, we’ll be able to survive any sergeant in the Army!”