Free Breathe Again by Kamy Chetty Page A

probably not.”
    She didn't bother to respond. Grabbing her jacket, she made her way out.
    Stupid. Stupid. Stupid .
    If she thought this would work, then she was stupid and then some. She put a hand over her tummy and sighed. The only problem was, it wasn't only her this time.
     
    *****
     
    “You need to take a break, honey, or you're not going to be good to anyone. You're running on empty.”
    Skylar turned to Judie and pulled out a smile from deep within. “I'm fine.”
    “You’re clearly not. Come on, let's go grab a cuppa. This lot can wait,” she said, casting a glance to the boxes of unpacked stock on the bench.
    After they were both sitting down with steaming cups of tea and a couple of chocolate cookies, Skylar couldn't help but sit back and sigh. It was either that or become a blubbering mess.
    “Nothing like chocolate to put things in perspective. From that expression on your face, you haven't told him yet.”
    “No. It's difficult.” Skylar pulled her shoulders straight.
    Judie took a sip from her mug. “The longer you wait, the harder it becomes.”
    “I know that. Believe me, I know that.” Skylar turned her mug and took a sip. “I lied to him. I hurt him and in the process, I lost him.”
    Judie tut-tutted. “Do you know what they call him? Everyone around here, do you know what the staff around here call Nick?”
    “I can’t say that I do.” Judie wasn’t making much sense.
    “Terminator.”
    Before she gave an emphatic ‘No’, she realized it fit. He had the same determination, and Lord knew he acted like a machine.
    Judie knocked her knuckles against the table, catching her attention. “Except when he is with you.”
    “Uh?” She looked at the older woman in confusion.
    “He might act like a machine who doesn’t care about feelings, except when it comes to you.”
    “But—” Was she right?
    “I have to get back to work. You take it easy now.” She squeezed Skye’s shoulder as she past her.
    Skye drummed her fingers on the table. What if she came clean and told Nick everything? What if he could forgive her? If he loved her, really loved her, then he would. Wouldn’t he?
     
    *****
     
    Skye glanced at the clock feeling time-warped. Was that really the time? Or had the hands of the clock jumped forward? Her gaze settled on the team around her. She wiped her face with the back of her arm, feeling as despondent as they looked. After spending forty-five minutes trying to bring their patient back to life, defeat was inevitable. From the moment the medics had brought the cold, unmoving patient through their doors, they were fighting a lost battle.
    The fifth-year resident looked at her as if waiting for a sign. She gave a slight nod.
    “Call it.” He pulled off his gloves in frustration.
    Her nails bit into her palm. “Time of death, ten fifty-five.”
    Reluctantly, the team drifted away from the man on the stretcher. The sound of the ambulance siren in the distance meant it would be moments before they were called to another emergency. Another possible battle. But a chance to do better the next time.
    Skylar unhooked the tubes, making sure she left the breathing tube in. The patient had been pronounced dead within a few hours of coming into hospital, and now he would need to go to the coroner.
    She brushed his brown hair aside. The lump in her throat was hard to swallow past. A light tap on the door caught her attention.
    “Skylar, I know you're about to go off, but we have a patient coming in, full-term and about to deliver. I only have Katie on, and she has no experience with maternity. Can you stay for this case?”
    The charge nurse put her hands together as she pleaded. Skye nodded. Anything to get away from the finality of death. She never got used to it. No matter how many times she had to deal with it, she hated it. Hated it with a vengeance. Avoided it at all costs. It took her back to when her dad died.
    She went into the next resus room to prepare. Checking the