Seeking Relief

Surgery Unease

Emmett leaned forward and adjusted in his seat. He checked the time on his phone for probably what was the millionth time in the last hour.

He glanced up at the monitor that listed id numbers designated for certain patients and their stage of process with the procedure. Jade’s number was still listed next to ‘in operation’.

He was always so calm and cool in situations.

But this one he felt himself on edge and strung tight.

He was quite surprised at himself about how affected he was. Normally he’d smile at the irony of the situation, and realize what it meant regarding his emotions towards Jade. But right now he was too keyed up to find anything remotely funny and he couldn’t relax until he saw her status flip to recovery and a nurse came and got him.

He talked to her with the others in the group message last night and this morning when she was dropped off.

Now he found himself wishing he had been the one to drop her off so he could’ve given her the kiss he had always wanted to.

Mitch had been the one to bring her and sit with her for part of her pre-op preparation, but he had to leave to report to his shift.

Emmett came to the facility as soon as he caught a power nap after his night shift.

Jake was doing workshops today to update his certification and Adam was also scheduled for a shift today.

So Emmett was more than happy to be the one to pick her up and bring her home. The plan was to bring her back to Jake’s and his place. Then in a couple days she’d go to Adam’s or Mitch’s. She’ll stay with the guys until she’s up to return back to her own apartment.

Emmett secretly wished that she never returned to her apartment, but he knew she needed her own place to feel comfortable as she opened up to them.

But right now, all he wanted was to make sure she was okay and healed from her physical and mental injuries.

He sighed and checked the time on his phone again

Adam sat back in his office chair as he sent off his email.

He relaxed for a few minutes and thought of Jade and their group. He checked his phone for the time and if there were any developments in the group chat. He didn’t see any new notifications but he still opened the app.

The last message there was the same last message he read an hour prior. That Emmett was there and in the waiting room and Jade’s status was ‘in operation’.

He texted and asked Emmett if she was still in surgery. Emmett replied that she was.

Adam sighed and put his phone away. He sent an instant message on his computer to one of the nurses he knows at the surgical center. He asked for a phone call if possible as soon as Jade’s out of surgery.

He then took a deep breath, mentally shook himself and returned to the mind state he needed to be in to get through work. It may have been a Tuesday morning, but his shift was not slow by any means today.

Just like he was trusting others to do their job, he needed to do his.

“Hey Mitch, there’s a call for you on line one.” Alisha called back to Mitch at his desk. He practically lunged for it. Scared that it was the hospital calling to inform of a mishap with Jade.

When he picked up the call, he saw through the caller I.D. that it wasn’t the hospital.

Relieved it wasn’t what he originally thought, he handled the call that came through for him. A run of the mill request report and information inquiry regarding one of the accidents he handled.

When he got off the phone, he opened the text message app on his phone. He saw the preview of the messages as they came in while he was handling his call.

So he knew it wasn’t an emergency.

He frowned as he reread the messages.

Emmett said she was still in surgery.

He felt like that wasn’t right. He hoped everything was going smoothly, but he struggled to relax while his belly rolled uneasily.

Jake’s phone buzzed as a couple new text messages came through. He jumped out of his skin and knocked his knees against the underside of the table he sat at. Jake ignored the side eye the paramedic sitting next to him gave him.

He pulled out his phone and looked at the messages.

He calmed his racing heart, but wasn’t completely successful.

Jade was still in surgery.

He pressed his lips in a tight line as he put his phone back. He thought she should have been out by now.

It’s a good thing he read material and stayed up to date on literature regarding his profession on his down time, because during this workshop he was getting absolutely nothing out of it.

He couldn’t stop worrying and wished he was there sitting next to his best friend.

“Hello Jade, sweetie. We’re all done now.”

Pause.

“Is she coming around?” A second voice asked.

“Not yet. I don’t think.”

“Wow. Yet she wouldn’t stay down during the surgery.”

“That was a little harrowing.” The first voice replied quietly.

“Do you think they’ll tell Dr. Kincaid?” The second question was asked even more quietly.

“How’d it go?” Jade asked in slurred words.

“You’re all fixed up!” The first voice told her.

Jade opened her eyes and squinted blurrily at the bright light above her. She turned her head to look at the two nurses at her side.

Jade closed her eyes again as the nurses rolled her somewhere.

“How are you feeling sweetie?” One of the nurses asked.

“Hurt so bad.” Jade answered.

“Oh sweetie. We’ll get that taken care of before you’re sent home. Would you like a water? “

“No. But could I have some coffee. Pleeeeeease?” Jade begged.