How Not To
Chapter One
(Arizona POV)
Forty-eight hours. Forty-eight hours since I took a step from this surgical floor. Nine lengthy back to back surgeries. I couldn't be more tired.
Standing at the scrub sink of OR 3 I watch as the post OP nurses roll my last patient of the day out of the OR. Turning my back to the scrub sink I rest against it rubbing my face hoping I could wipe some of the tired from my face. After a few moments of peace and quiet I walk out of the scrub room. I'm pretty sure all of the coffee in the country of Brazil couldn't help me bounce back after all of this craziness. I just need a bed. On call room or my own bed? Is my own bed really worth the travel? After making the executive decision to go home and pass out I make my way to the attending's lounge. A long the way I barely say a word beside the occasional hello to people that I pass by. When I walk through the door I let out a sigh in delight. Alone. Thank you…
I sit down on the bench in front of the cubby that holds all of my belongings. Running my hands across my face I rub my cheek bones and past my temples hooking my fingers under my scrub cap. I remove the cloth from head and place it in my cubby and move my hands back to my braids and start to undo them. When I got too old for my braided pig tails I settled for a braided crown. It seems that all of the other female surgeons do the same thing. After running my fingers through my hair trying to remove some of the knots out I massage the back of my neck. I'd kill for a full body massage. It should be a work requirement to have a full body massage once maybe twice a week. I laugh out loud. As if Bailey would even take it as a joke. They called that woman the Nazi for a reason! The sudden blare of my phones ring tone going off pulls me from my thoughts. I groan as I reach out to check it. I don't have time for this. I want to go home and sleep. My irritation fades as quickly as it came about when I saw who was calling. I couldn't control the grin that spread across my face. Sliding my thumb over the unlock button I put the phone up to my ear.
"Hello?"
"Mommy! I Caught you!" the little girl who has a vice grip on my heart made me forget how tired I was.
"Hey sweetheart! You did catch me. I was just about to leave work! How are you beautiful?"
"I'm good. I'm on the way to school with momma. She says she's picking me up early today!" Totally forgetting the time difference, I realize that it's only 7:46am there and its 10:46am here.
"Oh, that sounds fun Sof!"
"Did you save the babies yesterday mommy? I couldn't talk to you last night because you were helping a baby. So, did you save them?" The question made the smile on my face turn into my signature dimple filled smile.
"Of course, little miss! I saved them all!" Before my little girl could respond another voice cut her off.
"Oh sweetheart, hand momma her phone. It's time for you to get out." The voice of my ex-wife was still as beautiful as ever. Her loving and calming tone. It sends chills down my spine every time I hear it.
"Okay mommy I gotta go! I'll call you later! I love you more than all of the sand in the ocean."
"I love you too baby girl, more than all of the stars in the night sky." Still smiling I pull the phone down from my ear and was just about to hang up when I heard another voice break through the line.
"Arizona! Are you still there?" My heart fluttered at the sound of Callie saying my name. I instantly put the phone back up to my ear.
"Yeah, I'm here. What's up Callie?"
"Uhm… I just wanted to check on you. I know you had a long day so just wanted to make sure everything was good."
"Yeah, I'm good. It was a long day. How's everything your way?" After a few seconds of awkward silence Callie finally broke through.
"Great! I'm glad that everything is good. Well, were all good here too. A lot has been going on. Keeping me on my toes. Well, I know you've had a long shift so I'll talk to you later maybe."
"Yeah. Sure. That sounds great. Bye Callie." Then there was another long pause.
"Bye Arizona."
For the last time, I brought my phone down from my ear ending the call. I placed it in the cubby and started changing into my street clothes. Callie and I are on good terms finally. We hashed everything out over a late-night FaceTime session. The conversation was pretty heated but we worked it out. Now what happened is in the past and that is where it will stay. Callie and I are finally start to form some kind of friendship. But, this last phone call threw me for a loop. Something was off. I know there is. It's not my place to pry but I know if it's important she'll tell me what's wrong when she's ready. Once out of my thoughts I realized I was sticking the key to my house in the door about to unlock it. After days like today getting home is second nature, like breathing. After making quick work of getting up the steps and changing into some sleep clothes I crawl into bed. Feeling the soft mattress brings a whole new wave of tired over my body. After setting an alarm so I can sleep a few hours I crawl under the covers and close my eyes. Surely enough, as soon as I closed my eyes sleep took over my mind. Finally.