“I’ve had enough injuries to know when we can ignore it or when we need to get it checked out. Need fluids while we’re hereto make sure he stays hydrated,” he said to me before replying to his son, “And I didn’t throw wide. Told you to pay attention to the angle of the ball. If you listened, you wouldn’t have twisted your ankle.”
I reassured Carter, “I can make sure we get some fluids going to make sure his cells don’t sickle.”
Carter’s brow furrowed. “Have you cared for my son before? How do you know he has sickle cell?”
“No, I haven’t. I checked his records before stepping in here,” I improvised. “I also wanted to check with your son first on his level of pain before we give him his usual pain meds.”
Carter continued to look skeptical. “Waiting for meds and fluids doesn’t really help him since youapparentlyknow his medical history, though you’ve never treated him.”
I bristled under his scrutiny. “I consider any patient who walks through our doors as my patient, especially on a day like today when other doctors call in. And if you must know, I pay special attention to the sickle cell patients when they come into the ER to make sure they’re treated right by the doctors and nurses who don’t understand the disease and want to assume that the patients are drug-seeking because they happen to be black and need pain meds. It’s a slippery slope between need and addiction, but I prefer to err on the side of need since no one deserves to sit in pain because the medical profession can be biased against our people.” Taking a calming breath, I added, “Sekani is in good hands with me. However, if you prefer another doctor to take over, I can arrange that, though it would be a huge mistake.”
“Why?” His eyes narrowed.
“Because I’m the best resident in this ER.” It wasn’t my nature to brag about my accomplishments, but his condescending tone grated on my nerves.
Carter settled back in his chair, his frown relaxing, still watching me. “Don’t mean to seem paranoid. You would be amazed at what people do to get close to me.”
“Not every woman wants you.” Sekani teased with a chuckle.
Carter’s glance swept my body again before addressing his son. “If she doesn’t, she will.”
“Here he go.” Sekani rolled his eyes.
Heat flamed my cheeks at the obvious flirtation, and I cleared my throat. “I wanted to step in first before I ordered the fluids.” Donning the gloves from the box at the foot of the bed, I moved to the edge and picked up the ice pack resting on his injury. The red and purplish bruise on his swollen ankle did look painful. “The X-ray tech should be here in a few. In the meantime, can you rotate your foot for me?”
Sekani grimaced while he complied.
“Good movement. Probably a sprain like you guessed,” I reassured Sekani. “That ice pack should work for now to reduce the swelling. Have you taken anything at home for the pain?”
Sekani shook his head. “I try not to take pain meds unless I absolutely have to take them. My pain level is about a five.”
“Still too high. We won’t have to worry about any counter effects with any drug we give you. And we want to reduce that pain to at least one, okay? Prescribed Tylenol should work. Let’s save the Demerol or stronger meds for when you really need them.” I smiled at Sekani, who seemed like a respectful son, not an entitled one whose father was worth millions. “I want you to take at least two bags of fluid to make sure your cells don’t sickle. Might be here for only a couple more hours if the X-rays show what I believe they will. Would you like some juice or crackers, too?”
“Cranberry?” Sekani asked with a soft smile.
“I can arrange that.”
I sighed inwardly before looking at Carter, whose steady, interested gaze as I treated his son intimidated me. “Any questions or anything you need from me before I leave?”
“You think I can have some of your delicious cranberry juice? I mean, if it’s not too much trouble to ask the best resident in the ER.” He chuckled.
The genuine warmth of his laughter tickled me, and I left the room, smiling, glad that Denise insisted that I be assigned to Sekani St. Patrick.
At the nurse’s station, Denise clapped in delight when she pointed at my smile. “He noticed you, didn’t he?”
I glanced around the area for listening ears before I replied, “He seems like a natural flirt, so I don’t know if he noticed me or not because I’m his son’s doctor. Besides, I’m surethatman has women. Even if he didn’t have money and fame, he would attract them.”
“Ain’t nothing wrong with being one of those women. Have a little fun if the opportunity presents itself.” She pushed the bags of fluid toward me. “I prepared this for you. I think since he’s already complained, it’s best you go back in there instead of one of the nurses.”
“The patient doesn’t appear to be in any pain besides his ankle. Tylenol should work, and don’t think I don’t know what you keep trying to make happen.” I started pushing the IV pole when I remembered to grab a couple of bottles of cranberry juice out of the small refrigerator behind the nursing station.
A woman’s concerned voice greeted me as I opened the door to the room. “Why do you insist on pushing football on him?"
“He didn’t, Mama. I asked him to show me,” Sakani replied. “I’m alright. Stop treating me like I can’t do anything when I don’t even have the worst kind of sickle cell.”
I cleared my throat before walking fully into the room, and Sekani’s mother stopped talking. Standing next to Carter, who remained in the chair, was a beautiful, earthy woman with Jill Scott vibes who gave me a quick once-over and brusquely asked, “What are you giving him?”
Hold your tongue, Brooklyn. “Good afternoon, I’m Dr. Brooklyn Kelley, his treating doctor. I’m giving him fluids and Tylenol to take. Demerol is on hand if the Tylenol isn’t enough. His vitals and bloodwork look good. The X-ray tech will be here in a few, though I’m sure it’s a sprain, and you all will be able to go home soon.” I moved to the opposite side of the bed from his mother and smiled at an annoyed Sekani. “I have your juice.”
