The next morning, the alarm buzzed and Zorell looked up to see it was a minute passed four. She silenced it quickly not wanting to wake up Leland. He needed rest. After all, he was looking after Shanee and taking care of her in a sense. It was time for her to take charge, and she jumped out of bed and headed to the shower to get ready for her day.

She spent a full hour fixing herself up. She wanted to look as professional as possible, so she pinned her hair back in a sensible style that was easy to manage. She pulled her long hair into a stylish bun that rested at the nape of her neck with her side waves covering her ears. She wore little makeup, just enough to not make her look ghostly. She always felt her skin was much too pale, and she always wore a shade or two darker than her natural tone. She tried tanning, but her skin always stayed the same. It didn't burn as long as she didn't stay out in the heat too long, but she didn't tan either.

She wore the simplest dress she had which was an off white solid color, but it was make of silk. The skirt hung freeing only modestly showing off her figure. It really didn't matter what she wore since she would be changing into a uniform when she got there. Once she was dressed and ready to go, she quietly walked into the living room where she saw Leland sleeping on the floor covered in a red blanket.

She wrote a quick note before grabbing her coat off the rack and sneaked out of the apartment. She closed the door quietly and headed for the stairwell. The brisk walk to the first floor as invigorating was and just what she needed to wake her up. She was still in a daze from yesterday, but managed to put a certain someone out of her mind. She thought logically about the situation and talked herself into thinking that she had no time for a relationship, even a casual one, and especially not with someone like Gavin. Still, he had the voice of an angel or a demon depending on what mood she was in at the moment.

Once she reached the outdoors, the morning breeze hit her. She would pick up some breakfast from the bakery down the street from Leland's apartment building and catch a taxi to the hospital. She thought about purchasing a bicycle to get to work in the morning. It would be good exercise and Leland wouldn't feel obligated to give her transportation. A cycle would be more practical and save money in the long run, and she wouldn't have to take cabs everywhere. She had more than enough cash to buy an inexpensive one, after she found her a place to live. That was her first priority.

The bakery was not too busy, and after seeing those croissants in the window she decided she must have some. They also made some tasty-looking turnovers, but she just hoped that they had strawberry. Even if they didn't, anything but apple would do. Apples had always left a nasty taste in her mouth, so she steered clear of them. She preferred berries and citrus fruits.

She walked in just as one of the girls was putting out the last of the morning pastries. She walked up to the counter to see a stout woman wearing a hairnet and a frosting stained apron.

"What is your taste buds craving for today, deary?" the woman asked in a raspy voice. She looked over to see the turnovers sitting on the windowed shelf, and it had already caught her sense of smell, keeping her nose hostage.

"I would like two croissants and two of those scrumptious turnovers," she said, staring at the sweet-smelling confections through the glass. "What flavors do you have?"

"Apple, blueberry and peach," the woman said. She was a little disappointed. but she would settle for her second favorite.

"I'll take the peach," Zorell said and pulled a dollar out of her purse. She handed the woman the money after she had bagged her order. "Thank you." Zorell gave her a quick smile and walked out the bakery. Once she was out on the sidewalk she looked around a saw a taxi at the corner and walked swiftly without running and waved her hand in the air to get the driver's attention. He didn't see her at first, until a traffic officer blew his whistle and he looked her way.

She was relieved when the driver moved his taxi car her way and stopped in front of her. "Need a ride, honey?" he asked, and it looked like this man was going to be a flirt. She didn't feel at all nervous since this man looked old enough to be her grandfather.

"Yes, thank you," she said, as the man exited the taxi and opened the door for her. At least he was polite and helped her to enter. After she was settled and she saw he had reentered the taxi, she thought she ought to tell him where she was going. "Hardon Hospital, please."

"Sure thing, doll," he said, and the taxi moved slowly from the curb onto the street entering the open traffic.

She sat back and enjoyed the ride. It was close to six, and she didn't want to be late on her first day. Once she arrived, she walked in and saw the clock had read a quarter until six, and she had just enough time to eat her breakfast and report to the nurses' station. She had only one of the croissants and one of the turnovers. She would save the other two for her lunch hour.

She walked up the stairwell to the second floor and walked down the hall to the nurses' desk. There was a young blond sitting behind the desk, one she had not seen before. She looked like she was studying a file and only looked up when Zorell approached.

"Good morning," the girl said with a friendly smile. She seemed like the cheerful type, and at this hour in the morning it was rare to see someone who was so pleasant. "Can I help you?"

"This is my first day," Zorell said and pulled out the paper that the head nurse gave to her the day before. "Is Nurse Strausser here?"

"She's finishing up a consultation with Doctor Mitcham, but she asked me to help you get settled in," the young nurse said. "I'm Nurse Marina King." She held out her hand after making her introduction.

"Zorell Dupree," she said and handed her the paper.

"Glad to meet you," she said and looked the paper over. "I'm sure it will be a great pleasure working together."

"I'm sure it will," Zorell said and thought for a moment. She wanted to find out about how Shanee was doing. Perhaps she could give Leland a call and give him an update. "Do you know how Shanee Lavene is doing?"

"Who?" the girl asked with a confused look on her face.

"She's a red-headed woman, car accident victim?" She tried to clarify the question, and the girl's expression perked up.

"Oh, yes, the poor dear," Marina said and her eyes dropped. "She has a high fever, and she's been in and out of consciousness but not aware of where she is. She keeps asking for some fella by the name of Leland, I think."

"Oh, yes, I know him," Zorell said, just as another nurse arrived at the station. Marina looked intrigued. "His sister is married to my brother, so he's like family."

"What about Miss Lavene?" she inquired.

"All I know is that Leland's in love with her," Zorell said as Marina gathered some papers. "I've never actually met her formally."

"Oh, I see," Marina said and turned to the other nurse. "Well, Zorell, this is Cora Jacobs." It was rather a laidback introduction. "She usually works the morning shifts."

"It's nice to meet you," Zorell said, and they shook hands. Cora had a strong, no nonsense grip, and she assumed that she was the serious type. The hard look on her face made her assumption all the more believable.

"So, you're the new girl?" she said and looked her up and down with her arms folded across her chest. "We've been needin' some new blood around here. Sonya's lazy, and all Ava wants to do is flirt with the doctors."

"I think you're exaggerating," Marina said laughing, while shaking her head. Zorell noticed how different the mannerisms between the two women were.

"No, I'm not, and you'll be quittin' as soon as you and Doctor Moses get hitched," she said and took the seat behind the desk. Marina blushed hard, and Zorell felt like she just stepped into some radio drama.

"That's six months from now, and by then Zorell will know the ropes and we have new nurses coming in every day," Marina said, trying to smooth Cora's angry tone.

"Yeah, that's what you say now," Cora grumbled as she led Zorell down the hall. "I tell you, these workplace romances with be the ruin of this hospital." Marina giggled while shaking her head, but Cora didn't think it was one bit funny.

"Don't mind her," Marina said as they walked down the hall. Zorell had a feeling that she was working in a hospital of characters and that didn't include the patients. "She's always moody, but Cora's a nice person."

"I hope so," Zorell said as Marina led her through a large door. "I just moved here yesterday."

"Being in a new place can be scary," Marina said and closed the door. "I come from little town in Indiana, and I've only been here a year. My fiancé works here too as Cora may have said. He's a doctor who mostly delivers babies."

Zorell looked excited at that piece of news. The delivery of newborn babies was her favorite aspect of the job. "I assisted in a few births when I was a student," Zorell said and thought back to her days working with Doctor Shapero. "It was the most incredible thing I ever saw."

"I haven't had the pleasure of witnessing a birth as of yet," Marina stated as she walked over to a wooden wardrobe. "My last job was in a geriatric hospice." She had pulled out a blue and white nurse's uniform. "This should fit you."

"I hope so," Zorell said, walking over and taking the garment from her.

"You can put your things in one of the free lockers," Marina said, and she stepped over the see which ones were unoccupied. "I'll get you a lock while you're changing. We have a few nurses here with sticky fingers, so always keep your things locked up."

"I see," Zorell said and held up the uniform in front of her. "I hope this is a size six."

"It is," she said to Zoell's relief. "It looks like it will fit you perfect."

"How do you know just by looking?" Zorell asked. Usually she had to try of several dresses in her size when she was able to go out shopping until she found the right fit. She usually had to go up a size and alter it on her own.

"My mother owns a dress shop, and she has never gotten a size wrong," Marina said proudly. "I guess that talent was passed down to me."

"That's quite a talent," Zorell said before entering a changing room. She slipped out if her clothes and put on the uniform. To her surprise it turned out to be a perfect fit. "So how does it look?" she asked when she emerged out of the changing room.

"Fantastic," Marina said and gave her a short hand clap. "Not everyone looks good in a nurses' uniform, but you do. I think that means you were born to the profession."

Zorell burst out laughing. "I think maybe you're right."

"So, are you ready for chaos to begin?" Marina asked, and she wondered what she was in for that day. She almost wished she had taken Gavin up on his job offer.

"Nurse Dupree, ready for duty," she said and gave a salute. Marina laughed as they exited the locker room and headed for the nurses' station.

I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. Zorell's first day of work continues in the next chapter. Her co-workers and colleges are going to be a colorful cast.

Please remember to vote and comment. I really appreciate the support.