excerpt
At half past two on the afternoon of her final day as a student
nurse, Tyne sat at the nurses’ station on the men’s surgical ward to
finish her day’s charting. The hours had gone so quickly that she
had little time to think about herself. But some of the patients kept
reminding her that today would be the last time she would wear her
blue and white stripped dress under her white bib and apron. Even
the more difficult patients had been easy to get along with today,
congratulating her and wishing her luck, and thanking her for all she
had done for them during her last two weeks on St. Charles ward.
As she made the final notations on Mr. Talbot’s chart she smiled,
remembering how he had mentioned that from now on she would
be identifiable as a graduate nurse by the black band on her cap. Yes,
she thought, from now on patients like Arthur Tournquist wouldn’t
be able to make sarcastic remarks about being assigned to the care
of a student.
With that thought, her mind focussed briefly on the Tournquists.
When Tyne had returned to Calgary following her brief two days at
home, Cam had called and invited her to a New Year’s Eve party.
“I’m working the afternoon shift, Cam,” she said, with what she
recognized as ambivalent feelings.
“Then why don’t I pick you up tomorrow morning and bring you
home for New Year’s brunch? Mom and Dad would love to see you
again.”
Since she had already promised Moe she would accompany her to
her sister’s home for noon dinner, Tyne had to refuse that invitation
as well. Cam had left for Vancouver the day after New Year’s, and she
had not heard from him again. She knew it was just as well. Although
she tried to forget it, she had never been able to erase the memory
of the emotions he had aroused in her that night in August when he
had driven her to the residence from his parents’ home.
Tyne had just closed her last chart and was returning it to the allotted
slot when the telephone rang. Mrs. Currie, the head nurse,
answered.
“Yes, she’s here,” Mrs. Currie said. “Yes, of course, I’ll tell her.
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