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My Grey Sky After searching most of the hospital, Jordan eventually found Elliot in the observation room, arms wrapped around herself and nervously chewing her lip as she watched the operation. Jordan rested a hand on her shoulder. “You okay?” Elliot sighed and turned to Jordan, looking at her through red rimmed eyes. “Not really. This woman’s probably going to die because some intern couldn’t read my handwriting and gave her blood clotters instead of thinners. They’re trying to get the clot now but even if they do, there’s probably going to be more.” Jordan pulled Elliot into a hug and wasn’t surprised at all when she didn’t respond. “Let’s get out of here,” she whispered, finding Elliot’s hand and tugging gently. Elliot shook her head. “I should stay here in case she doesn’t die. And if she does, I need to figure out how I’m going to explain this at the morbidity and mortality conference.” “Let the intern who screwed up do it,” Jordan said. “You’ve been here for what, thirty-six hours now? You shift ended two hours ago – leave while you still can.” Elliot looked back at the patient. She really should stay, but the idea of not being surrounded by white walls and the smell of death was just too inviting. She sighed, but nodded. “I can’t stay away too long, but I suppose an hour or two wouldn’t hurt.” Jordan smiled and held up a set of keys. “I stole Perry’s keys so we can take the convertible.” Elliot raised an eyebrow. “It’s forty degrees out.” Jordan shrugged. “Perry always keeps an extra sweatshirt in the trunk.” And indeed, there was a dark green sweatshirt in one corner of the trunk. Jordan put the top down as Elliot pulled on the sweatshirt. She wrinkled her nose – it smelled like Dr. Cox – but at least it would be warm. She climbed into the passenger seat and was about to ask Jordan where they were going when she realized she didn’t really care as long as it was far away from Sacred Heart. They drove fast, and the cold wind whipping around them was a welcome change from the stale hospital air Elliot. The sky was grey, threatening rain, and Elliot found herself wishing it would rain, that it would storm and they’d be stranded wherever they ended up so she wouldn’t have to go back to the hospital. It did rain, the first few drops landing on the windshield and then all around them. “I’ll put the top down when we get there,” Jordan said. “It’s only a few more minutes.” Elliot nodded, not really caring. True to her word, Jordan pulled into a parking lot a few minutes later and put the top up before they got out. Elliot managed a small smile when she realized where they were – the beach Jordan had taken her to once before, the one she said was beautiful when it rained. They walked down to the ocean together, getting soaked and not caring. They stood at the water’s edge, watching the waves crash and the rain pour down and the ever-changing grey sky. Jordan wrapped an arm around Elliot and she leaned against her, quiet in the storm. |
My 40 Snapshotsby Nicole Merrill |
