Free Secrets of a Shy Socialite by Wendy S. Marcus

as the doctor is ready you’ll be called in, the most acute cases first, then by order of arrival.”
    For as long as they took to get there, the paramedics were in and out in under ten minutes. After they’d gone, Jena, Mary, and Dr. Morloni met in the hallway. Jena held up her pad. “I’m not quite comfortable with the laptops yet. But this is what we’ve got waiting and the order I think they need to be seen.”
    Mary leaned in to look at her notes.
    “Three-year-old, audible wheeze. Color within normal limits. No fever. Increased respiratory effort. Nine-month-old. One hundred and three point seven temperature. Mild lethargy. Two toddler lacerations, one eyebrow vs. coffee table, the other thumb vs. steak knife. Nine-year-old fall from bike with right wrist pain and swelling, wearing a helmet, no signs or symptoms of head injury and a very impatient father. Then the rest by order of arrival, three sore throats requesting strep tests. Two ear pain and pressure with fevers. Two seventeen-year-olds one with back the other with shoulder pain. A six-year-old with a pea or peas obstructing his left nostril, right nostril clear, no respiratory distress. And a four-year-old who may have swallowed a coin or coins from a bowl of change, no reports of GI distress.”
    Jena looked between the two of them. “To speed things up I’ve documented vital signs, chief complaints and past medical histories on each of them in the computer. I put the audible wheeze in room one to keep him calm and the nine-month-old fever in room two to get him out of the crowded waiting room.”
    “You done good,” Dr. Morloni said. “We’re back in business.” Laptop in hand, he turned and walked in the direction of room one.
    “These two.” Mary pointed to the two seventeen-year-olds on Jena’s list. “Did they come in with their parents?”
    “An older gentleman who claims to be guardian to both.”
    “Insurance?”
    “You’ll have to check with Gayle, but I think he planned to pay cash.”
    Mary shook her head. “Point them out to Justin.” When Jena looked up at her in question Mary added, “Local drug dealers send teenagers in to get prescriptions for narcotic pain medication which they turn around and sell on the streets.”
    “That’s terrible.”
    Mary looked her in the eye. “Prepare to see a lot worse.”
    “May I ask a question?” Jena asked. “Unrelated to the patient population?”
    “Fire away.”
    “What’s Justin doing here?”
    Mary smiled. “We contract with his company for evening security. This plaza is busy during the day, but we’re all alone after five p.m.” She removed her hairband and redid her pony tail. “Being able to advertise we have security on site at night helps us attract quality staff and expands our patient catchment area into the neighboring middle class towns.”
    “Does he usually work here?”
    “On occasion, as his schedule at the police station allows. But I was told Steve would be on duty this weekend.” She smiled. “I’m guessing the change has something to do with you.”
    Jena didn’t know whether to be flattered that he’d shown up to spend time with her or insulted that he’d come to keep an eye on her because he didn’t think her capable.
    “Hey,” Mary said, moving her head around to catch Jena’s attention. “Dr. Morloni’s right. You did a great job holding things together.”
    Jena smiled. “Thanks. Honestly, I enjoyed every crazy minute of it.” For weeks her life revolved around caring for the twins. Jena loved being a mom. But her temporary job, which entailed three of her favorite activities, organizing, prioritizing, and nursing, energized and revitalized her.
    After filling the rooms and walking the wrist injury to X-ray, Jena found Justin in the lobby. “May I speak with you?”
    He followed her into the hallway.
    “There are two teenagers in the waiting area, sitting with an older gentleman,” she informed him, keeping her voice hushed.
    “I