one long listening by Chenxing Han

Author:Chenxing Han [Han, Chenxing]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781623177867
Publisher: North Atlantic Books

My dear,

You’ll visit many a hospital in your life, but not the one where I did my yearlong CPE training. Like the hospital where you will spend your final days, this one employs a massage therapist. I can leave N a message anytime, ask her to visit so-and-so in room #### when she’s at The Tower next. Ours is a natural alliance, since she prioritizes working with cancer patients and I’ve remained on oncology through the fall and spring semesters, will be staying on through the shorter summer semester too.

N says I have a calm beyond my years. I want to demur, but I thank her because I am learning to accept compliments.

Another woman I love to run into is the phlebotomist. “Girrrrl!” she exclaims the first time we meet. “How’d you get those biceps?” Look who’s talking, I rib. “Crossfit!” she grins proudly. Once upon a time I swam and did yoga several days a week, but in this sleep-deprived year I’m lucky to squeeze in a weekly jog. So, in answer to her question, what my mama gave me?

The phlebotomist lets out a low whistle when she glimpses my badge. “I could never do your job,” she declares. There’s no way I could do hers either. The very suggestion of a needle makes me woozy. The sight of blood threatens to have me on a gurney in two seconds flat. I probably should have thought of these things before I signed up to work in a hospital.

“Focus on your gifts, not your lack,” my supervisor urges.

When we pass each other in the hospital halls, the phlebotomist and I curl our biceps and give each other a snappy high five.

I think you’d approve, dear friend. I believe you called this the purpose of these human lives: loving on each other like nobody’s business.

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