“Shhh,” she whispers, as Liam buries his head in her shoulder. “You’re okay, Liam. It’s okay.”
“I’m sorry,” I say helplessly. “Uh, his nose is bleeding a little. I can call ENT to have a look at it.” I’m not keen to tell this story to an ENT surgeon, but for Melissa’s kid, I’ll do it.
Melissa turns to me, and there’s a glint of amusement in her eyes. “I don’t think we need ENT, but maybe you could find me a tissue?”
I rush to grab a tissue from Claire’s bedside table and narrowly avoid a collision with Nick, who had the same idea. Melissa definitely looks amused now. At least I’m supplying some comic relief.
Melissa wipes blood and snot from Liam’s face, and after he’s cleaned up, he doesn’t look too bad. “Liam’s nose bleeds really easily,” she explains. She sets him on a chair, tells him to look down, and gently pinches his nose.
“I’m really sorry,” I apologize again.
“It’s all right, Dr. Carlton,” Melissa assures me. “Liam’s nose is clearly no match for your abs of steel.”
Nick and Kevin both burst out laughing, and even Claire chuckles. I guess since I was crouching down, it must have looked like Liam ran into my stomach, not my knee. I don’t bother to correct them.
Melissa lets go of Liam’s nose and studies it for a minute. To everyone’s relief, the bleeding seems to have stopped.
“All right,” I say, trying to maintain some dignity. “Claire, everything looks great. Any problems, tell the nurse and she’ll get in touch with us.” I turn to Melissa. “Let me know if Liam’s nose starts bleeding again. I can ask ENT to look at it.”
“Thanks, Luke,” she says quietly. She meets my eye, and the amusement is gone from her gaze.
“Nice work, Dr. Carlton,” Nick jokes when we’re out in the hallway. “You and your abs of steel should round with us every morning.”
I roll my eyes and don’t answer.
“I think the mom likes you,” Nick continues. “Did you notice she called you Luke?”
Oh, I definitely noticed that, but I’m not about to discuss it with Nick. “Clinic starts in ten minutes, Nick,” I say crisply. “Go ahead with Kevin and I’ll meet you there.”
Nick and Kevin take off toward the elevators, and I head to the fridge in the nursing station, where they keep drinks and snacks for patients. I grab a ginger ale and apple juice and make my way back to Claire’s room. Claire greets me with a bright smile, but Melissa looks wary.
“It could be another hour before they bring the breakfast trays, so I brought you some drinks,” I explain, setting the ginger ale and apple juice on the table next to Claire’s bed.
“Thanks, Dr. Carlton,” Claire says.
“No problem,” I say, with a glance at Liam. “Has the nosebleed stopped, buddy?”
Liam nods solemnly.
“Good.” I notice Melissa’s still wearing the scrub top I gave her yesterday in the ER, and there’s a red stain over her left breast. Probably blood from Liam’s nosebleed.
“Dr. Carlton?” Melissa asks uncomfortably, and I realize I’m staring at her chest. I quickly lift my eyes to her face.
“You have blood on your shirt,” I explain stiffly. “From Liam’s nosebleed.”
Melissa looks down at her chest and then back up at me. “I’m sorry. I’d be happy to pay for the shirt.”
“What?” I’m definitely not worried about the stupid shirt. “No, don’t worry about it. The hospital won’t miss it. But I can find you another top if you want.”
“It’s fine,” she assures me.
“Okay. Have you had breakfast? I could grab you something from the cafeteria.”
Her eyebrows draw together in confusion. “Thank you, but I’m fine. Troy should be here soon, and I’ll probably grab something then.”
“All right.” I’ve run out of reasons to prolong the conversation and I’d rather not see Troy again, so I say goodbye to Claire and Liam and head to the clinic.
SIX
