A long Monday night – the unexpected

It had been a long night working the night shift again with nothing unexpected happening, I needed sleep.  Putting my coat on, all I wanted to do was find my duvet. One night runs into another and the week becomes a blur.  The need to earn money clashes with my need for rest and recuperation.  Some days it seems that there is no difference between Paul the home body and Paul the nurse.  I love my time to myself, but the hospital always seems to come first.

I had never been in a serious relationship, at twenty-five years old the right person had never come along.  My routine of work and then returning alone to my flat night after night., I was not ready to change. The need for a partner was not something I had ever thought about.  I have friends who complain about their partners, moan about their children, why would I want this stress? Alone with my television remote I have no one to answer to, no one to argue with, life is good.

They say to expect the unexpected.  They also say we never know what’s around the corner and tomorrow is another day. Maybe I should have stayed at home, or maybe I should just embrace the unknown.

The girl

As I walked past the reception desk and said goodbye to crazy Judy my eye caught a short brown-haired girl. I had never seen her before, but she was sat organising files. She looked up and smiled as I wished Judy a good morning. Walking down the corridor my mind started to wander.  When would I have time for anyone else in my life? For now, I need rest and sleep.  I can feel my usual exhaustion and the exhilaration of a good night’s work.  The patients, their relatives, the camaraderie and support of my colleagues.

It was a few mornings later that I noticed the girl again. I had never experienced these feelings before. I’ve heard of love at first sight, was this it?   To provoke such feelings from me there was something special about her.

Looking at the ward roster, I then glanced at Judy, I had been on the night shift for so long it was going to be a struggle to work days.  As Judy looked at me, I could see something was going on.  I needed to keep my cool and focus on my work, who was the girl? Was she why Judy had changed me to days?

Friday Morning

At a time when I’m usually asleep I find myself asking the new girl for a patient file.  Seeing how nervous she was talking to me, I started thinking that maybe now was time to change. Time to stop being Paul the loner, maybe time to get to know someone and consider being with someone else.  Can I change? Reading her name badge I can see she is Trudie. Could Trudie possibly be interested in me? Had she said something to Judy?  Seeing Judy watching us I could see she had.

The unexpected does not usually happen to me.  After weeks of nights, I was going to find it hard to adjust to days. Stifling a yawn I could feel the heat in my face, so many questions racing around my head.  This was new to me, was I misreading the signs?  Trudie was making small talk, the weather, her journey here, her car. Formulating a plan I realised that I wanted to know her more.  Telling myself to relax I listened to her happy chatter.  As I heard my name called I felt sad to have to get back to my patients.  Yes, this was unexpected, I knew that my life was about to suddenly change.

Written for December #BlogBattle: Provoke

For more see Today is a song