Hurried footsteps echoed through the residence early in the morning, just as they did every day.Coming from Joan and the others, going through their daily routine.
Though, the unusual is the trace left by the passage of time. A couple of trees standing tall by the building's corner have had new shards of greens since a few days ago. The crisp winter air had gradually softened into the fresh breeze of early spring. Although Joan's biological clock did not falter, as time passed, Manhattan's sun began to clock in earlier.
And just like that, Joan's first season in this world ended. As April drew to a close, we could safely say nothing much has changed. Joan still went through her routine of morning training, and learning French and accounting, besides these, she tried to broaden her knowledge in a few fields she grew interested in as of late.
After getting her usual breakfast, Joan followed Helen and the others to their usual seats.
"As winter passed, it became much easier for me to wake up, " Helen said, as she covered her mouth while yawning.
"It can't be helped, no one wants to leave their warm blankets in the middle of winter" said Lucie while sipping her tea
"Ah, I really want to eat eggs," Elise complained.
"isnt your day off tomorrow? Then you can eat anything you want" Joan replied.
"But I want to eat it early in the morning, not in the afternoon, ahhh, anyway it's better than not eating at all"
"Good morning" Joan greeted Edith and the rest of the nurses who had preceded her, before heading to her assigned beds.
Greeting the patients with Edith, then assisting with their cleaning routine, before distributing their assigned breakfasts.
"Do you think doctor George will contemplate other options or just go through with usual treatment?"
Joan heard her colleagues' Beth and Agnes conversation while scrolling through her notes during breakfast break.
–Ah! The same conversation began again.
With the continuous mailing between her and different acknowledged doctors and professors and thanks to their unhalting help in spreading the word, either through publishing papers or direct social events, finally, their efforts have paid off. As of lately, there was a rising trend amongst medical staff not only throughout Bellevue hospital, but through the general public too.
Unfortunately, at this stage, it was nothing but a futile talk. Superstitions from amateurs to resist the methods of ancient physicians without offering reliable alternatives.
"He has no choice. He will go through with the treatment as usual, after all the director of the hospital was present when the patient was admitted, and he instructed literally and I quote the best treatment the hospital could provide"
Agnes answered as matter of fact.
"Besides,it was discussed during the last meeting too, as some renewed doctors suggested eliminating or at least reducing treatment methods known to have little to no effect, which most of the medical and administrative staff rejected the suggestion outright, the doctors even ended up being scolded as heretics, for wanting to sit aside and watch the patients die helplessly"
"Haaa····well, in both ways, there is nothing much we can help with···· except doing our job of course" Beth sighed with a shrug, then continued "By the way—— if even the director went out of his way to welcome him, just who is this new patient?and how important is his family?"
"None of your business, don't forget our standard protocol. What is not told to you, you cannot ask. Dipping in the patients' privacy especially the important ones is a taboo"
"I know,I know. I was just asking casually, no need to be so uptight"
Knowing Beth wasn't the type to gossip, Agnes let her go.
Just as the conversation came to an end, it was time the patients finished their breakfast. And the morning shift took over starting quietly as usual.
"Stil not used to not seeing you at breakfast, your place is empty" Helen said after taking a bite of her chicken.
"Ooh , our lovely Helen misses me. I'm touched" Lily replied while putting a piece of bread in her mouth.
Joan noticed how easily Lilly had been gaining weight since her wedding last month.
It's a relief to see her happy and comforted with her marriage, although the chances to meet lessened as she moved out of the dormitory.
"We all miss you during breakfast, but it's nothing hard, how about we plan for a picnic?We just have to align our days off, and I don't think that will be hard if we ask someone to switch with theirs"
"That is a great idea,hmmm··· let's see which day is suitable " Lily acquiesced happily.
"How about we wait for a warmer day, that way we can go to a more flourish park"
"Sure, why not....
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