Authors: Cat Fields
She was startled, however, when her phone rang before she’d even touched it. Jumping a mile, Ada picked it up after the first ring.
“Hello?” she said quickly.
“Hello, Nurse Walker?” said a deep voice on the other end.
“Yes?”
“Ada, it’s John Whitaker.”
“Oh! Doctor Whitaker! What a surprise!” she said breathlessly.
She could tell that he was smiling from the tone of his voice. “You answered the phone awfully quick. Were you expecting a call from someone?”
“Oh … no,” she said, embarrassed. “I was just about to call you, actually”
“Well, I just thought I’d check in to see if you needed a lift to the hospital.”
Ada licked her lips, her throat dry. He’d called
her
. She’d never been so nervous in her life. Why was she acting so stupid? She’d never become speechless around men before.
“I would appreciate it very much, if it’s not too much trouble. I called the mechanic today, and he said he’d look at it tomorrow.”
“Great,” said Doctor Whitaker. “I’ll pick you up in half an hour then. Is that all right?”
“Yes! Great! Perfect!” she said, rather excited at the prospect of being alone with Doctor Whitaker again. The thought of it left her weak at the knees.
“Okay then. I’ll see you soon, Ada.” The phone clicked as he hung up.
Thrilled that Doctor Whitaker had called her, Ada took extra care when doing her makeup. She wanted to look her best. A small part of her brain thought she was being foolish. He’d never be interested in someone like her.
Right on time, Ada heard a car pull into her driveway, the headlights shining into her sitting room. She expected him to honk his horn to alert her of his arrival, but he didn’t. Instead, Ada watched through her curtains as Doctor Whitaker got out of his car and walked up her garden path.
“Oh no,” Ada panicked. What if he saw inside her house. It was an absolute mess.
Doctor Whitaker gave three smart knocks on her door, which Ada answered almost immediately, looking rather flustered.
“Hello Doctor,” she said, flinging the door open.
“Hello Nurse Walker. I thought I told you to call me John?”
“Oh, right, sorry.” Ada squeezed through her door, not wanting Doctor Whitaker to see the mess inside. She quickly locked it behind herself and faced him, smiling politely.
“Ready to go?” he asked.
Ada nodded. “Yes. Thanks again for doing this. I promise I won’t be a burden after today!”
“Not at all,” he replied. “Carpooling is good for the environment. Perhaps we should do it everyday, so long as out shifts coincide.”
Ada felt her heart quicken. The prospect of being alone with Doctor Whitaker every day was absolutely thrilling. The drive to work was only 15 minutes, but she would take any time she could get.
“That sounds like a great idea. We can share the cost of gas too-”
Doctor Whitaker shook his head. “No, no. Don’t you worry about that. I’ll take care of that.”
Ada felt uncomfortable. Was he taking pity on her? Did he think she was struggling for money? Well … it was true that money was tight, but she didn’t want his charity.
Doctor Whitaker walked Ada to his car and opened the passenger door for her, like the previous night. She hopped in and watched him walk around the front of the car to the driver’s side.
Once again, the first few minutes of the drive passed in silence. Ada looked out the window, wishing she had something interesting to say.
“So do you always do the night shift?” asked Doctor Whitaker.
“Only recently,” she replied. Truth be told, she’d only volunteered the night shift because Doctor Whitaker was there at that time.
“I prefer the nights,” he said. “I guess I’m a bit of a night owl.”
“Me too,” Ada lied. She’d say anything to make him like her.
~
The rest of the week passed without incidence. Ada and Doctor Whitaker shared several shifts, and he picked her up for each and every one of them. Conversation was infrequent, and usually work related, but that didn’t deter Ada. She was so smitten with John by the end of the week, that she spent most of her time thinking about him, and trying to run into him at work. He smiled widely at her every time they passed in the corridors, sometimes giving her a cheery “Hello Nurse Walker”.
The few people among the Nursing staff that Ada had befriended, often teased her about her crush on Doctor Whitaker.
“Look how red your face goes when ever he is near,” said her co-worker. “I’m surprised he hasn’t noticed himself.”
“He probably has,” said another nurse. “Why else would he ask her to car pool? He hasn’t asked anyone else!”
“True, and I only live a few blocks away from him,” said Ethel, an older nurse.
Ada rolled her eyes. “You’re all being ridiculous. There’s no way he is interested in me. As if I would be good enough-”
“You are the youngest nurse,” said Ethel. “Perhaps he likes a bit of young meat.”
Ada sighed. “Don’t say it like that. It makes him sound like a … a-”
“Womanizer?” Ethel provided.
~
Ada ignored the jibes of the other nurses. They seemed to think Doctor Whitaker was playing favourites, but she knew that wasn’t the case. He was a caring man, and Ada was in need of a lift to work. He was her boss. That was the extent of their relationship.
Friday night was a quiet one, and Ada was sent home at ten o’clock that night, four hours early. She changed into her street clothes in the changing room before heading into the carpark. She was about to hop into the seat of her taxi when Doctor Whitaker came running through the front doors of the hospital.
“Nurse Walker!” he called, “wait!”
Ada stopped, her hand on the door.
“Why are you catching a taxi?” he said, slightly out of breath. He must have run from his office.
“Oh, I was sent home early,” said Ada. “I know your shift doesn’t end for another four hours, so I thought I’d take a taxi.”
“Don’t be silly,” said Doctor Whitaker, “I can’t allow that.”
Ada thought this was extremely strange.
“What other option do I have?” she asked.
Doctor Whitaker pulled his keys from his pocket. “I’ll take you,” he said. “Then I can come back.”
“I really don’t want to be any trouble,” she said. “I know you’re a busy man.”
“It’s a slow night,” he said. “and I’ve got my pager. I’m sure they can do without me.”
Ada rubbed her arm uncomfortably. “Well … if you’re sure.”
“Absolutely. Allow me.”
Ada couldn’t help but think that Doctor Whitaker’s actions were very strange. Never the less, she wasn’t going to protest any further.
She got into his car, and they left the hospital together, leaving behind a rather disgruntled taxi driver.
“It’s a nice night, isn’t it?” asked Doctor Whitaker, pointing to the starry sky.
“It is. Warm too.” Ada wasn’t very good at small talk.
“Seems a shame to waste it, doesn’t it?” asked Doctor Whitaker.
“I guess,” said Ada, slowly.
“We should make the most of it. It’s a nice night, and your shift has ended early. When was the last time you went out for a drink?”
Ada couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Was he really asking her out for a drink?
“Um … I haven’t been out in over a year.” Truthfully, money was tight, and Ada couldn’t afford a night on the town.
“Well, Nurse Walker, I insist that we go for a drink.”
Ada, butterflies in her stomach, nodded fervently. “Alright.”
Five minutes Doctor Whitaker turned a corner and pulled into the car park of a local bar. Ada had never been here before.
“What is this place?” she asked.
“Not sure,” said Doctor Whitaker. “I’m new in town, remember?”
Ada smiled. “I’ve never been here.”
“Well, sometimes it’s fun to try new things.” He gave her a sly wink as he jumped out of the car. Ada watched as Doctor Whitaker removed his white coat, revealing a plan black t-shirt underneath. She couldn’t help but stare at his toned, muscular arms. He was a dream.
They walked to the entrance together, Ada feeling very nervous. This was definitely crossing the professional relationship they’d held until this point.
The inside was nice. There was tables, a jukebox, and a long bar with many stools. Doctor Whitaker led Ada to two stools at the bar. The barmaid approached them, giving Doctor Whitaker a flirty smile.
“What’ll it be Nurse Walker?” he asked, ignoring the barmaid.
“Oh, um … a water, please.”
“Oh, no, no, no,” Doctor Whitaker laughed. “You are having an alcoholic beverage little miss.”
“I’m not really a big drinker,” said Ada. “What do you recommend?”
“For you, something sweet,” he said, giving her a dazzling smile.
“Perhaps an apple martini?” said the barmaid.
“That sounds nice,” Ada nodded.
Ada rummaged in her purse for her wallet, but Doctor Whitaker placed a warm hand on her wrist. “Don’t worry about that,” he said. “I’ll get this one.”
“Oh, thank you Doctor,” said Ada.
“Doctor?” said the barmaid. “You’re far too good looking to be a doctor!” She leaned across the bar, her full breasts spilling from her low cut up.
Ada felt her cheeks flush with jealousy. The barmaid was openly flirting with Doctor Whitaker, and showing herself off, despite the fact that he had female company.
“I’ll have a scotch on the rocks please,” he said, without looking at the barmaid. He kept his eyes on Ada the whole time. She couldn’t help but feel a little special.
The barmaid huffed and went about preparing their drinks. She slid them to us without a word.
“Thank you,” said Doctor Whitaker, sliding a fifty dollar note across the bar before handing Ada her drink. “Cheers.”
Ada thanked the Doctor and sipped her apple martini. It was extremely sour, and not at all sweet. It made her lips pucker.
“Oh, my. That’s … that’s nice,” said Ada.
Doctor Whitaker smiled, sipping his scotch on the rocks. “You don’t like it, do you?” he said.
“Oh, it’s lovely,” Ada lied, having another sip. She couldn’t help but pull a face. This made him laugh.
“All right, we’ll try something else next.”
“How is your scotch, Doctor?” asked the barmaid, attempting to get his attention again.
“Fine, thank you. Can we get … hm … a pink lady?”
“A pink lady?” Ada repeated. “I’ve never heard if it.”
“I think you’ll like this one.”
Five minutes later and the barmaid brought Ada a pale pink beverage that looked very creamy.
Ada brought it to her mouth and took a small sip. “Mmm,” she smacked her lips. “It’s really good.”
“Gin, grenadine and cream,” said Doctor Whitaker, downing his scotch in one swallow. “I knew you’d like it.”
“Did you?” said Ada with a smile. She felt the alcohol go straight to her head. She hadn’t eaten all night.
“Yes, it matches your pretty pink lips,” he said, his eyes lingering.
Ada blushed and avoided eye contact as Doctor Whitaker ordered a soda-water, saying that he still had to drive.
~
Three pink-ladies later and Ada was on the verge of being tipsy. Not only that, but the conversation between them flowed easily. They joked, laughed, and talked, his hand lingering on her shoulder, or elbow. It left bumps over her skin, and made her heart flutter anxiously. Was Doctor Whitaker trying to get Ada drunk?
No
, she thought to herself.
He knows I’m stressed and is just being friendly. Don’t get your hopes up!
However, Ada couldn’t help but feel as though Doctor Whitaker was being flirtatious. Why else would he bring her to a bar and pay for her drinks all night? A horrible thought crossed her mind. Was he trying to get her drunk.
No, he was a respectable man.
But Ada didn’t think she would mind if he made a move. On the contrary, perhaps her tipsy state was excuse enough for
her
to make a move. What if he rejected her? She would be so ashamed. How could she ever face him at work again? Their working relationship would be ruined.
All of these thoughts ran through Ada’s head as Doctor Whitaker ordered her another drink.
“Oh, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” said Ada. “I think I’m getting tipsy.”
Doctor Whitaker shrugged. “You should go a little wild every once in a while.”
“I’m awfully clumsy when I’m drunk,” said Ada. “I don’t want to be a burden!”
“You could never be a burden Nurse Walker.”
Ada smiled. “You can call me Ada,” she said.
“Well thank you, Ada. Is that short for something?” he asked.