Chapter Six
Kelly
“Kelly! You won’t believe who I ran into today at the supermarket,” Mom’s voice carried through the speakerphone on my desk. Before I could guess, she continued, “You know Mary Margaret? Her daughter is back in town visiting. You remember her. Charlotte?”
I nodded my head ‘yes’ even though she couldn’t see me.
“I thought it would be nice if we all got together for lunch sometime next week,” she practically sang.
It had been a busy day with back-to-back appointments, and now I had my first chance to sit down and chart. I was exhausted and not in the mood.
“That sounds nice, but—”
“No buts,” she cut in with more determination in her voice than usual. “I know you say you’re happy, but you don’t know what happiness is yet. Just ask Kahale. He thought he was happy, but then he met Emily, and he knew he had been missing out. I don’t want you to miss out on a good life.”
“I—”
“No, Kelly Iona. You listen to your mother. It’s time to get serious about finding the right girl.”
I felt the weight of the last six months push down on me. It had been one blind date after the next, and I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t keep showing up at places and being surprised by yet another woman. My family meant well, but they were taking away the little peace I had in my life.
“I met someone.” The words were out before I could stop them.
It was quiet on the phone for the first time since she had called me five minutes ago.
“You what?”
“I met someone. Just the other day. It’s new, but I really like her, and I think that this could turn into something big.” The lie came easily as I thought about a woman I’d never see again.
“When did you meet someone?” Kalani’s voice scared me as I turned to see her silently standing in the doorway.
“Jesus! How long have you been standing there?” I asked.
“Kelly! Don’t use the Lord’s name in vain,” Mom lectured.
“Sorry, Mom. Kalani, how long have you been here?” I asked again.
“Long enough for you to tell Mom that you met someone.” Her eyes zeroed in on me.
“This is great news!” Mom shouted from the other end. “When do we get to meet her?”
“It’s still new. I don’t think she’s ready for that,” I tried to backpedal.
“She’s not ready, Mom, because I don’t think she’s real.” Kalani crossed her arms.
“She’s real.” I doubled down on the lie and threw a look at Kalani. “I’m just protecting her from all of you.”
“Is that so? If she’s so real, then bring her to dinner on Sunday.” Her eyes sparkled from the challenge.
“I don’t have to prove anything to you,” I said, as if I were ten years old again.
“No, she’s right! You should bring your new girlfriend over for dinner,” Mom said.
Kalani gave me a shit-eating grin. It was my move.
“I’ll talk to her, but I’m not going to force her to meet everyone right away,” I said reluctantly.
“I bet you can’t get her to come to dinner this Sunday.” Kalani smiled with a wicked grin.
“I’m not taking that bet,” I said.
“That’s because you have no one to bring.” She smiled triumphantly. “Prove it by betting on it. The usual.”
Fuck. “Are you sure? You just recently lost a bet, and you haven’t even paid up yet. Can you afford to lose another?” I bluffed.
I saw a moment of hesitation in her eyes before she stood a little taller. Damn it. “Oh, I’m sure.”
She stretched out her hand for me to shake. I couldn’t help myself as I reached out for her hand instinctively. I had never backed down from Kalani before, and it appeared I wasn’t starting now.
“So, does that mean she’s coming?” Mom piped up, bringing my attention back to the fact that she was still on the phone.
“Yes,” I said reluctantly. I turned towards Kalani. “Did you need something?”
Her eyes grew wide as she realized she had come here on a mission. “I got one you need to see now,” Kalani said seriously.
“What’s going on?” I raised an eyebrow at her. I’d have to figure out the mess that was my nonexistent love life later.
“You sound busy. I’m going to go. Maybe I’ll stop by later. Love you!” Mom hung up promptly.
“There’s a woman here with a poodle mix, and she said he ate thirty condoms. She’s pretty. The woman, I mean,” she said this last part as if that was the most crucial information.
“Are you seriously trying to play matchmaker right now?” I stood, grabbing my stethoscope.
“Nah, just thought you should know before you go. I wouldn’t want her to steal your heart away from your new girlfriend,” she snickered at this last part. “She’s in exam room number two. The dog’s name is Pickles.”
I rolled my eyes as I strode past her towards the exam room. I knocked once before entering. A black and white doodle was energetically sniffing around the room.
“Hey, Pickles,” I squatted down and scratched behind his ears. “What did you get into?” My eyes searched for the owner when I saw a pair of liquid gold eyes staring back at me.
“Reese,” I said, a little breathless, no question in my tone.
“Kelly,” she repeated back.
It was the first time I’d heard her say my name, and my heart thumped at the sound. Her dark blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail, showcasing her beautiful face. Her long legs were on display in her cut-off shorts, and I instantly noticed the red sting marks.
Kalani was right. Reese was breathtakingly beautiful. It was like that day at the beach all over again, and I couldn’t seem to form any coherent words over the lump in my throat.
Unlike me, she hadn’t lost her ability to speak.
“This is my cousin’s dog. You remember Beth? About five-foot-two? The blonde with the perky boobs?” She stopped talking abruptly, like she hadn’t meant to say that last part.
I cracked a smile, and she seemed to relax.
“Pickles ate some condoms. Well, they were Beth’s condoms. She bought them for me, but I don’t plan on using them.
” She stopped talking again and put her head in her hands.
“Oh my God, I don’t know why I said that.
I don’t normally act like this or ask people to pee on me.
I swear, I’m perfectly normal.” She refused to look up at me.
“Reese, it’s okay.” She peeked out from behind her fingers. “Start from the beginning. What happened with Pickles?” I asked as I felt around the dog’s abdomen, checking for distention or tender spots.
Reese then explained how she was getting ready when she’d heard Pickles gagging. I listened to Pickle’s abdomen with my stethoscope and received pineapple-flavored licks.
“I’m not sure how serious it is for a dog. I’m much more comfortable with human anatomy.” She slipped in this information, and I wanted to ask more to get to know as much of her as she’d let me. “But I’m concerned about him developing a blockage.”
“You did the right thing bringing him in,” I reassured her. I could almost see the invisible weight lift off her shoulders.
Just then, her phone started vibrating. “Oh, that’s Beth! Give me one second!” She answered the call and began explaining to Beth what was happening, much more calmly than she’d explained it to me, and gave Beth the address before hanging up.
“She’s on her way. So, what happens now? Do you have to pump his stomach?” she asked.
“I don’t think we need to jump to that. Our first step is to try to induce vomiting and see if he can rid some of the condoms that way.
Then, to get a better look at his abdomen, I recommend an X-ray.
He’ll need to be monitored throughout the night.
As of right now, he is acting appropriately, and most likely, he will pass the condoms on his own.
If his behavior changes, we can re-evaluate and see if he needs any interventions. ”
“Can he be monitored at home?” she asked.
“I think it would be a good idea for him to stay here. I have staff who can stay overnight with him. That way, if anything changes, he is already in the right spot. And I live just up the road, so I can be here quickly if we need to operate. But it's unlikely it’ll come down to that.”
She nodded her head as she leaned back in her chair and took a few deep breaths. I should have excused myself, but I felt unable to move. She looked up at me and gave me the smallest smile. It was the first smile she’d given me, brightening up the entire room.
“I know it doesn’t seem like I’m very calm during an emergency,” she said, “but I’m an ED nurse.”
I smiled at this, imagining Reese in a set of scrubs. “I don’t hold it against you,” I said, sitting next to her. “Have you lived in Hawaii long?”
“What gave it away?” She ran her hands carefully over the sting marks. “Is it because I’m living with my cousin?”
“Not at all. Multigenerational living is very common here because living costs are high. I would say it’s more your lack of a tan that gives it away that you are new here. That, and you thought urine would heal your jellyfish stings.” I elbowed her lightly.
She mocked a gasp and smiled more brightly this time.
God, I would do anything to make this girl smile.
“I was born and raised here,” she said sarcastically.
“Unlike the rest of you, I take melanoma very seriously and apply sunscreen every time I encounter the sun. And the pee thing is a common misconception!”
“Sure, sure. That is what all the new girls say.” Our knees touched for a brief second, and I felt a zing go through my entire body.
“I’ve been here three entire days,” Reese said quietly, “and I’m already making a mess of things.”
“You know, this story will be hilarious in hindsight,” I tried to cheer her up.
“It’ll only be funny if poor Pickles here doesn’t die.” She leaned down to scratch one of his ears, causing his legs to stretch out with a satisfied groan.
She looked up at me, “You know, I swear I’m not an idiot. I really thought I had read somewhere about needing to pee on jellyfish stings.”