Hearts of Thirst (eBook)

Chapter 1: Hospital Bay

The sound of sirens split the air as a group of nurses and doctors rushed toward the ER. “Two males,” the EMT barked at the doctor, who immediately started checking their vitals. “The driver has a fractured nose and a few minor injuries. The passenger is unconscious and is not responding; his injuries are far more severe.” The doctor nodded and started working on the passenger, directing the nurses while he tried to assess the damage. Do we know what happened, asked Lauren, who is one of the front desk nurses. “It looks like the driver was pushed off the road by another driver, but we cannot say for sure. There was only one car at the scene; their car hit a tree on the passenger’s side. Honestly, I doubt he is going to make it. It was pretty bad.” “You are kidding, right,” Lauren muttered, shaking her head in disdain. “Are the police going to look into Lauren sighed. “Third car accident this weekend. I wish people would be more careful.” “Try not to think about it too hard,” the EMT said, handing the clipboard back. “It will drive you crazy. Your shift is nearly over, isn’t it? You can go home and relax.” “That does not change the fact that someone’s life was ruined today,” Lauren said curtly, turning on her heel and walking away. The EMT stared at her for a second before shaking his head and leaving. Lauren was still feeling perturbed by the time she got to the front desk. She buried her face in her hands for a second before shaking her head and taking a deep breath. She grabbed the computer mouse to input the victim’s data when the sound of someone approaching the desk caused her to look up.

“Do not look now,” said Vicky, another front desk nurse, “but Dr. Dreamy is coming this way.” Lauren looked up despite Vicky’s warning and melted a little when she spotted Dr. Daniel Summers making his way through the corridor. As always, he was accompanied by the diminutive form of the hospital administrator, Mimi Parker. “How did Mimi get so lucky?” Lauren asked, leaning her cheek against the palm of her hand. “Dr. Summers has only been here for a month, and she has already got him wrapped around her little finger.” “And here we thought she was the quiet, shy type,” Vicky said enviously. “You know, she has not said more than ten words to me since she started working here three years ago. However, as soon as there is an eligible doctor up for grabs, she is the chattiest person in the hospital.”

“Come now, Lauren,” Vicky chided. “Mimi is a sweetheart; she just keeps to herself most of the time. You cannot judge her for that. We should be happy that she’s finally coming out of her shell. She’s still young and beautiful; let her have her fun. Besides, Dr. Summers seems to like her.” “I wonder how it will work out,” Lauren said, raising an eyebrow as Dr. Summers leaned toward Mimi to say something. Mimi looked up at him with her big brown eyes and nodded slowly, causing him to smile softly at her.

“I’ve always thought there was something off about her. Like, about a week after she got here, I caught her crying in the bathroom.” “Aren’t you curious?” Lauren asked in a low voice. “Think about it, Vicky, what do you know about her? She’s worked here for years, and we know nothing. Isn’t that a little suspicious?” “Lauren,” Dr. Summers called, “did you check Mr. Isaacs’ vitals yet?” “Coming, doctor,” Lauren said with a brilliant smile. “All I’m saying,” Lauren said, quickly turning to Vicky, “is that there’s something off about Mimi. I hope the good doctor knows what he’s getting into.” “Oh,” Vicky said, waving her hand dismissively. “Get going; Mr. Isaacs doesn’t have all day.” Lauren wiggled her eyebrows at Vicky, causing her to laugh in surprise. As soon as Lauren walked away, Vicky was left to input the victims’ information into the system. Her heart sank, and she tried not to think too hard about it. This job would kill her if she worried about each patient. Dr. Summers rapped on the desk as he walked by, giving Vicky a comforting smile. She smiled back at him, watching as he and Mimi walked past. Now, there was something good to dwell on. There was always a gleam of something good amongst all the tragedy. “I think they were gossiping about us,” Mimi said, looking down with a small smile. “You’re making things very obvious, Dr. Summers.” “Call me Daniel,” he said with a chuckle. “And why would you say something like that? Isn’t it normal for doctors to spend time with the highly competent hospital administrator?” “No,” Mimi said, raising an eyebrow at him, “It isn’t. It’s also not normal for a doctor to ask the hospital administrator to accompany him on their rounds. Unless things were done differently at your previous hospital.” “Maybe I just enjoy your company,” Daniel said. Being with Mimi made him smile more than he had in years. There was something about her that made him happy. She didn’t realize yet that seeing her was quickly becoming the best part of his day. “Is there anything wrong with that? You’re not married, are you?” “No,” Mimi said, her face clouding over, causing Daniel to frown in confusion. “I’m not; well, not anymore, at least.” As they walked past another group of nurses, Daniel noticed how Mimi looked uncomfortable when they giggled and talked amongst themselves. It was clear that the couple was the topic of their discussion. Daniel touched her elbow lightly and gestured with his chin toward a nondescript door toward their right. Mimi looked over her shoulder and watched the nurses round the door. She nodded quickly, and both ducked through the door and walked into the recently scrubbed hospital stairwell.

Daniel needed to regain his composure, and the stairwell’s clinical coldness seemed like the perfect place for him to do so. “Tell me, Mimi, why, on earth, is a beautiful woman like you not married? Why on earth am I so lucky to have this opportunity to meet you?” he asked with his eyes betraying deep emotion. Mimi took a careful breath and closed her eyes momentarily before she answered, “The whys always get us in the end, don’t they? “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be overly curious, and you don’t have to…” “No, it’s okay. It’ll be good for me to share this with someone else. It had to happen, eventually, I guess.

I had a husband and a son many years ago. We were driving home from a vacation on the beach, and it was my turn to go, so I took the wheel while my husband got some sleep. They predicted a hurricane, and I can still remember how the wind shook our vehicle, and the rain beat down on the windows; it was vicious. I’d never driven through a storm before. We were only one hour away from Memphis. Daniel knew that it was essential for him not to interrupt her, so he waited until Mimi was ready to proceed. “I swerved to avoid a reckless driver who was driving in the middle of the road, and I hit a tree… after that, everything faded. I was the only one that woke up later in the hospital. “Daniel thoughtfully nodded and put his hand on Mimi’s shoulder. Even though he knew the gesture would do little to soften the impact of the words he suspected were coming. “My husband and son both died in hospital, and I was left to regret the fact that I didn’t see the reckless driver in time. I can still see it when I close my eyes. I’ll never forget what that car looked like.” You can’t possibly think it’s your fault…” Daniel started, but Mimi clenched her eyes shut and held up a hand to stop him. He snapped his mouth closed, halting all the words that wanted to come pouring out. How could he make her see herself the way he saw her? “I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” Mimi said, her eyes alerting him to the fact that she was already distancing herself from the memory. “You asked me a question, and I answered. There’s nothing left to say.” “There’s something I have to ask you, or it’s going to drive me insane,” Daniel said tentatively. Mimi shook her head lightly, but when she looked at him, his eyes were so hopeful that Mimi’s shoulders slumped. “Okay,” Mimi said with a sigh. She braced herself for the inevitable onslaught of questions. Once people knew the truth about what happened on that terrible day, they always peppered her with questions. It was why she didn’t tell anyone what happened.

It was better to keep it to herself. She regretted telling Daniel, but there was something trustworthy about him, and she’d been caught in the moment. “Can I see you tomorrow?” The question lingered in the air between them. Mimi looked at him, relief crashing through her like a wave. Daniel bit his lip nervously, leaning forward on his toes with his hands in his pockets as he awaited her response. She searched his eyes, looking for something she couldn’t name. “You see me every day,” Mimi pointed out. She could not believe that this wonderful man would ever see her as something more than a hospital administrator or a friend. “Not like that,” Daniel said, shaking his head. “I mean, like, on a date.” He cringed, regretting how eager he sounded. It would be even more embarrassing if Mimi shot him down after that. Mimi’s eyes brightened, and she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. His honesty was endearing. That was the thing that impressed her the most about Daniel. He was probably the sincerest person she’d ever met. There were no dark corners in his personality, no secrets hidden behind his cautious eyes. His words portrayed complete honesty that always disarmed her. That was probably what got her to spill all her secrets. Mimi’s mouth quirked into a smile. Daniel was...