THE OBSERVATION BOOTH
OP / ED & PHOTO CREDITS ANDREA DIALECT
You know how sometimes your mind packs heavier than your bag? This short story begins there – with expectation, assumption, and a backpack full of “just in case.” But what unfolded at that hospital was not the dragged-out, miserable scene I had already rehearsed in my head. Instead, it became a surprising little run-in with efficiency, hospitality, humor, and a few unforgettable personalities along the way, like the staff at Mountainside Hospital.
My inspiration for this short story draft. A big thanks to the K Team: Dr. Koach, Nurse Kim, Nurse Kira, Katria, China, Nazayia, and the kind gentleman who took my X-rays. Thank you for your service, not only to me, but to all that you serve. Don’t stop what you’re doing. We need you. You shall be blessed greatly… (REMEMBER EVERYONE THIS IS A DRAFT. ENJOY!)
PULSE (Part 1)
You’ve Been Served… Yes, I had been. Which was the total opposite of what my preconceived notions. When my granny’s son swooped me up on last Sunday morning, you’d think he was transporting me to the Newark airport. When he pulled up, I had my backpack in tow, chucked with everything imaginable during my imagined long stay in the emergency room. This usually had been the norm. So one can only imagine how much unnecessary stuff I’d be towing all in the name of preparation if I were heading over to the airport.
Charger, check. Both phones, check. My daily bread, my book, check. Two bags of cheese doodles, check. Two packs of Winterfresh gum, check. Peppermint balls, check. My notebook, check. Two writing pens, check. And my favorite oversized, fuzzy but comfy brown coat to regulate that potentially pumping-through-those-veins chill while doubling as a flexible pillow at whim. Which I wore on my back because had I not, there would’ve been no way that my backpack would have been anything but a stretch getting it shut, to not having it shut.
When my granny’s son escorted me in, I was pretty surprised. Two women standing in front of reception, one woman sitting on the side of them, meaning us, because I’m now in line, and the two minus the one woman who had just exited posturing in those seats.
But I didn’t let that stop me. Because back there likely would be no rooms. So as planned I sought out the perfect seat and I found it among all those extras, plug conveniently right next to it, positioned on that wall. Plus, the chair beside it turned into my side table for placing all this stuff. Priceless.
Stood there chit-chatting with the two for a moment, greeted the woman sitting on that side next to my side sitting as I’m standing near her side. And just like that, I snapped. I did. Them two were heading in back through the door, heading to another waiting room, I supposed, because it ain’t no way. Yes, all this had happened easy within fifteen or twenty minutes after granny’s son exited them doors. Wow.
