Sea of Strangers (Nurses of New York Book 1) by Amelia C. Adams

Author:Amelia C. Adams [Adams, Amelia C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-09-09T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

The next morning, all the girls could talk about was the fact that Jeanette had been able to witness a procedure on her first official day. Meg sounded disdainful, Sophie was proud, and Jeanette wished they’d all soften their voices just a little bit. Lack of sleep had given her an awful headache.

“How did they even find out?” she asked Miss Cantrell as they carried their dishes into the kitchen.

“I believe Mrs. Everett might have mentioned it.” Miss Cantrell put her plate on the counter, then touched Jeanette’s shoulder. “Don’t concern yourself with them or what they think. They will each have a chance as well, and their opinions aren’t worth fretting about.”

Perhaps if she’d had a little more sleep, Jeanette wouldn’t have minded the jibes, but as it was, she minded very much.

The morning’s class was a recitation of what they’d learned the day before, the girls being expected to remember the lesson and answer questions throughout. Jeanette tried hard not to yawn as she listened. She didn’t know how Miss Cantrell managed to look so alert and conduct the class competently—the nurse must be used to functioning on just minutes of rest.

“This afternoon, we’ll head over to St. Timothy’s,” Miss Cantrell announced at the close of their lesson period. “Please take extra care to be neat and tidy.”

St. Timothy’s wasn’t too far from Dr. Russell’s house, although some of the girls complained about having to walk the distance. Jeanette found that the exercise and fresh air actually helped wake her up, so she was grateful for it.

When they reached the hospital, they were greeted by Nurse Foster, a middle-aged woman with graying hair and a perpetual smile. “We’re so glad you could join us today,” she said, her gaze flitting from girl to girl without resting on one of them. “Today you’ll be escorted by Dr. Gregory. He’s one of our newest doctors, but one of our best. Please wait here, and the doctor should be with you shortly.”

Jeanette wasn’t sure what “shortly” meant to New Yorkers. It was a good fifteen minutes before he came to collect them, and they were all getting antsy by that point.

“Hello,” he said, sounding bored. “My name is Dr. Gregory, and I’ve been asked to show you my patients and discuss their care with you. Please follow me.”

As they walked, Jeanette studied him. He was young, probably twenty-five, with brown hair. She suspected he had a dimple—there was evidence of it when he’d introduced himself—but he’d have to smile before she’d really be sure, and he didn’t seem the slightest bit inclined to smile. Oh, well. Maybe he’d feel friendlier after he’d spent some time with them. They were all strangers to each other, after all.

“Our first patient is Mrs. Fletcher. She was brought in yesterday suffering from multiple knife wounds. We performed surgery to stitch up the worst of the injuries. She seems to be doing well now, but we’re on the alert for sepsis.”

Millie raised her hand. “Multiple knife wounds? What happened?”

“Her husband tried to kill her.

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