3. Lilith
Chapter three
Lilith
“ W e have a ton of appointments lined up today, so you’ll be on walk-in duty.” Mary calls over to me as she begins to prep her med cart. “Oh, don’t look so glum! It’s better than dealing with the more violent patients.” Mary is my coworker here at The Garden, an incredible facility where healing physically and faithfully unite as one.
“I have no problem with treating the walk-in patients. My problem is Joseph breathing down my neck while I do,” I mutter as I wipe down the receptionist desk. Joseph is our on-call doctor, and while I appreciate what he’s done for me, his soft spot for Mary makes me an easy target for his pent up aggression. He’s worked on it for years but has never quite found the thing that can soothe him completely.
When Mary joined us a few months back, her golden brown hair and hazel eyes immediately caught the doctor’s attention. While Joe instantly fell head over heels Mary could’ve convinced those closest to her that she couldn’t care less. However, as soon as word got out that she was jealous of the attention I was receiving from him, his patience with me grew sparse. I tried my best to pay it no mind. We’re all of God’s beautiful creatures. And he would want me to be forgiving of my brother in Christ.
By the end of the day I’m completely exhausted. With school starting back up and Boulder being a college town, those in need of our assistance skyrocket . Drugs run their way through the streets and straight into the veins of the youth. Having mommy and daddy’s money to pay for it all doesn't help. Narcan flies off of our shelves like its Black Friday , and with each one handed out my heart shatters a little more. I remind myself to say an extra prayer tonight before grabbing my jacket to leave.
“Lilith!” Joe calls over to me, “I’m so sorry to catch you at the end of your shift, but I’m running late to our north clinic.” His eyes look over me, glimmering with hope. He’s wanting me to shut down the walk in entrance, and while technically only a doctor is supposed to, I’ve been lucky enough to gain his trust to do so. “Of course,” I respond with a smile on my face. My bed is calling for me, but I’m so grateful to be here, and if I ever want to move up in rank I have to do whatever it takes.
“ Bless you, Lilith ! And just so you’re aware, Elijah is stopping in tomorrow .” As soon as the name leaves Joe’s lips , my stomach throws itself for a somersault. Elijah Huang, the owner of this region of The Garden. Elijah, the man who could make me melt with just a single look, the same man who took my innocence within my first few months of working here.
“Don’t worry Joe,” I manage to say through the lump lodged in my throat. “This place will be ready and better than ever by tomorrow morning.” With my confirmation, Joe gives
me a warm grin and tosses the keys my way. The door closes behind him, leaving me surrounded by the chaos that the day had brought. Full trash bins and a light stench of vomit fill my senses. Yet it’s nothing compared to the disaster of emotions swirling around my head. I haven’t spoken to Elijah since the night he left. He took off to South Carolina without so much as a goodbye.
It’s been two months now since we last spoke, and I should hate him for taking something so special and then just disappearing. Yet no matter how hard I try I can’t feel anything but excitement. I’ve been holding out hope that some kind of emergency had taken him away from the clinic. Away from me. Tomorrow will finally be my time to get some answers.