Kathryn

"Ms. Stevens, I need you to give room 372 their medications. Can you do that or do you need assistance?" Mrs. Hall asked me.

I looked her up and down. She was much shorter than me, at least by a foot. She had sprouting gray hair that was obvious to the eye. Her blue scrubs highlighted her pale skin. Ms. Hall was my supervisor. I can't stand her. The first day I got here she treated me like complete shit.

"Has anyone seen our new RN Kathryn Stevens?" The short white lady announced.

I pushed through the crowd. A bunch of other RN's stood in the way. I looked around and saw that none of them looked like me. They were all old white women. I slipped my hair behind my ear.

The short white lady looked at me like I was crazy. She cleared her throat as I approached her. Everyone got quiet. All attention was on us.

"Excuse me Ma'am, patients are not allowed back here. Chloe can you take this lovely patient back to he-"

"I am Kathryn Stevens ma'am. I am the new RN," I announced.

I pulled out my ID badge. It clearly displayed my name, age, and job. She looked at me with a disgusted face. I kept calm though. I knew this was about to be my job from hell.

"Chloe, can you run this in the system really quickly? Ms. Stevens-"

"It's Mrs. Stevens," I interrupted.

Chloe came back into the meeting room. She handed me back my ID card. I took it with a soft smile. A soft 'thank you' slipped from my house. She nodded.

"Twenty two year old Kathryn Stevens. New graduate from Alcorn. She's married to our very own doctor he-" Chloe began.

I rolled my eyes, "I'm getting a divorce."

"Alright Ms. Stevens. We do not tolerate interruptions here. You let everyone finish before you speak. It's rude. Considering this is your first day, I'll let you pass. Now everyone welcome Ms.
Stevens," She announced.

Quiet greetings erupted throughout the room. I waved my hand. A black lady strolled into the room. A wide grin grew on my face. Finally, I had some type of representation.

"Let me find you someone to work under for a little while. They can show you the procedures and things," The lady said.

She scanned the room. Her eyes landed on the only black lady. She smiled and motioned her over. The lady looked at me and laughed. I could understand her pain right now.

"This is Chanel. She's been working here for years. I'm positive you'll be in good hands Ms. Stevens"

"Mrs. Stevens," I said at the same time the lady said, "Chantelle, Ms. Hall."

"Oh yes! I am so sorry Chantelle! You know your name is so unique. Nothing like my own. Anyway, I am Susan Hall. I'm your supervisor. If you have any questions, concerns, or God forbidden, any complaints please come see me. It was nice seeing you Ms. Stevens," Ms. Hall said.

"Mrs! It-"

"Girl do you want to get fired on your first day!" Chantelle whispered in my ear.

"No! She just keep disrespecting me!" I argued.

Chantelle grabbed my arm and pulled me through the crowd. I knew this was about to be some bullshit.

  "Ms. Hall, I am perfectly capable of doing my job," I groaned.

I grabbed the charts. Today I had a total of 10 patients. This may seem like a lot, but in reality, its nothing. Today was so easy. It was almost time for me to go. I was so ready to go home and see my friends. Well after I check up on my husband, soon to be ex husband. We were having some complications. Speaking of the devil...

"What are you picking up for dinner? I have one minor surgery and a observation tonight. I should be home around 11," Darnell said.

Darnell was my husband, Yes, with the name Darnell. He was a trauma surgeon. He was the head of that whole department. Darnell was a great coworker, but not husband.

"I'm not coming home tonight. I'm going out with a few friends," I told him.

I washed my hands. All I do is wash my hands in this hospital. A nurse got a bad infection the other day. It was because she didn't wash her hands. I refuse to let that be me.

"What? I haven't seen you in forever baby," He flirted.

I laughed. Of course he missed me. I haven't slept at home in about two weeks. I was really trying to distance myself from him. We had some previous issues. I was trying to run away from those problems.

I walked out of the room. He called for me. I turned the corner and said hello to a few of my coworkers and patients. I looked at my chart. It said 21 year old black male. He was in here for attempting suicide. That's crazy, I never dealt with a suicide patient. I've dealt with everything else though; from crying children, to disrespectful adults.

"Mr. Harper?" I shouted, before I entered the door.

"Com'in," His voice roared.

I opened the door to his room. I heard soft murmurs coming from the couch. A little girl sat on the couch playing with her dolls. I thought they took the children away if you attempted suicide. Maybe I don't know everything in the health care setting.

"Amarah, hush up na'. The nurse here," He said to her.

I playfully laughed. I picked up some of her toys off of the floor and handed them too her.

"Oh no, it's perfectly fine. You can keep playing sweetheart."

"I want mine and her hair to be like yours!" The child shouted.

She pointed to her doll. It was a black Barbie doll. One of the typical ones.

"Let's say after this I can teach you how to do you're hair like this! I'll do yours too!"I told her.

"Yay!" She screamed.

"Oh ya don't have ta do that! I do ha hair perfectly fine! Amarah, play with dem toys and hush na'! I'm sorry about that! Now Ms," He glared at my name tag, "Stevens. She ain't have no nap today. I think we ought ta' let her lay on down and be quiet. She will talk ya head off."

I laughed, "Kids will be kids Mr. Harper. That's what they do best."

"Please Ms. Stevens, don't call me Mr. Harper. I'm only twenty-one. I ain't no old man," He joked.

"Alright Andre, I'm going to check some of your cuts, and a few bruises. I just need to make sure everything is alright. Is that okay?" I asked.

"That's coo'."

"Can you tell me your date of birth?"

"March seventeenth, ninety-seven'"

"Have you been feeling any pains or aches?"

"Just on the back of ma legs. Them burns hurt more than a mug."

"Alright, I have your medic-"

A sudden ringing filled my ears. I looked over and saw the flashing silver light on the wall. "Code Silver, I repeat this is a Code Silver. All hospital staff, please do what you are instructed to do. Code Silver,"The intercom announced.

I ran to the door and quickly looked out of it. I was in charge of most of this hall. I locked Mr. Harper's door and ran to my other patients. I quickly locked their doors. I looked down the hall and saw a tall man dressed in all black. I kind of panicked. My second month on the job and we already have an active shooter. I turned my neck a little to see what damage he had done. Eh already left bullet holes in doors, that weren't locked.

I ran back to Mr. Harper's room. His little girl needed to be protected, because he couldn't really help her. Once I was in the room, I grabbed the little girl placed her in the bathroom. I heard Mr. Harper shouting something.

I turned my head to the door. A single shot rang out.