Chapter 6

While Bill intended to work that night he had been awake most of the day by the time he left Kristi's house, so he called in sick. The cool part of not being full time is that he can schedule himself at the last minute with no pre-commitments. Sometimes it paid to just show up with no prior notice and 97.5% of the time they would keep him for the shift. Once scheduled, however, he would be there without fail whether being hung over, sick, or whatever. Not having slept was a different story. It was a personal rule. Sucking it up and doing the right thing by going to work with no sleep was not doing yourself any favors. While Bill had a great work ethic, he knew that no hospital legal department would back him up for "doing the right thing" and showing up incapable because of lack of sleep. His big fear was making a mistake while overtired and could not think straight. Accidentally killing someone would definitely be the worst shift ever, and the last.

Getting home from Kristi's house at around 8 PM his head was spinning from lack of sleep and the prospect of being sucked into some bullshit investigation. Lying down on the couch he blurted out loud, "shit, she never told me what it had to do with me." He clicked the 42" TV on in hopes it would keep him awake for a while, but mercifully it didn't work for long.

Waking up Friday morning in a pool of sweat on the couch Bill stumbled for the coffee pot followed by the shower and the time-consuming process of shaking out the cobwebs. Halfway through his second cup of coffee, which was actually a mug representing half a pot, he took a deep breath and dialed the direct line into the ER. He couldn't remember what the number was into the back office. He had found it impossible to draw any firm conclusions although a dozen possibilities ran through his head. Did they want to implicate him or dredge his brain for evidence against Kristi? Could he or should he testify against Kristi given they had dated for a couple weeks and parted friends? After all, he continued to be fond of Kristi, he only bailed because of small kids. Did they have proof or are they still digging? Would it be a criminal issue or an administrative one?

"Upstate Medical Center emergency department," the secretary answered. Bill didn't recognize the voice, he wasn't really close with anyone on day shift. "Hi" he had to clear his throat, "Can you transfer me into the office?" No polite response, just another ringing sound. Guess they're busy already, hell it was only 8 am.

"This is Gladys." Gladys is a secretary who thinks she is the CEO, not to mention a bitch.

"Hey, is Tanya there?" Bill decided at that moment he would play it dumb.

Again, no polite response, just a transfer. These people obviously don't get paid by the spoken word, Bill thought.

"This is Tanya."

"Hi Tanya, this is Bill. I just got back from San Fran and need to be back on the schedule. Sorry, I didn't work last night, I hadn't slept. Is tonight open?"

"Uhh, let me check that Bill. Give me uhh just a minute."

That's bullshit Bill knew immediately. They always snap up any warm body they can get for virtually any night, especially a weekend night. Tanya was middle management or low-end management. Who the hell knew… or cared for that matter? No one could keep up with that revolving door.

3-4 minutes later, "This is Tracy." Who the fuck is Tracy?

"Bill we will need you to come in this morning."

"If I'm going to work tonight, I have to sleep today." If he was going to play dumb, he had to go the distance.

"Bill, we can't put you on the schedule until you come in, it shouldn't take long." Yea, right.

"Fine." He said with feigned exasperation. "I need to get my hair cut, anyway."

Bill took his time and got his hair cut on the way. Might as well make the pencil pushing state idiots wait awhile and gnash their teeth. Fuck em. Ph.D. idiots who wouldn't understand patient care if you drew them a map with a red crayon. Bill got more and more irritated on the drive with thoughts of local TV news reports exalting how safe this hospital or that one was after being Inspected by The State Dept of Health or any of myriad other agencies. What a fucking joke. They come in with their noses in the air and pore over charts for 6-7 hours then declare a hospital dept safe or unsafe. All that regulatory genius without ever setting eyes on a patient or speaking a word to any staff who have actual contact with patients. Those fucking clowns stand in judgment yet wouldn't know an IM needle from an IV catheter.

Bill was still swearing to himself as he walked across the parking lot to the ambulance bay doors.