6. New Girl

Sage

“ Y ou’re doing great, Tyler. That’s right, just a little bit longer.” She held onto her patient’s leg as he bent it. She could see the tension on his face. Once, something so trivial that it took little effort was now something that put pain in this young man’s face. When he had the stroke at just twenty years old, the doctor said he’d most likely never walk again. She was there to prove to him that the doctors weren’t God.

“I can’t!” he groaned, even though Sage had his leg in her hand. She was pushing him to his limit, but it was exactly what Tyler needed at the moment. He didn’t realize it now, but he would eventually understand.

“1… 2… and 3,” she counted, finally releasing his leg, and allowing it to extend out straight. He let out a few puffs of air, and she smiled. “I’m sorry, Tyler, but I knew you could make it.”

He chuckled. “Even when I think I’m at my last straw, you know how to push me.” Sage tilted her head and helped him to a seated position. “And in the end, I feel better for it.”

Sage grinned. “Just doing my job.” Sage helped him into a wheelchair, and he was still smiling, which was a great sign. “Same time next week?”

“I’ll be here, kicking and screaming if I have to.” He laughed.

Sage put her hand on his shoulder and gave a slight squeeze. “You’re improving. I’m very happy with your progress.”

“All because of you.” He offered her a wink, and Sage motioned for Genevieve to come over and help him out of the room. “See ya next week.” He waved, and Sage stayed there watching him. It was patients like him that allowed Sage to see the difference she made in their lives and never took that for granted. She loved the happiness she could bring to their lives when they always thought all hope was lost.

Sage grabbed his chart, documented his progress, and left the therapy room to check on her next patient. She had just refiled his chart when she caught Lena headed her way. Sage glanced at her watch and frowned.

“What are you doing up here? Lunch isn’t for another two hours.”

Lena shrugged. “I was just in the neighborhood.” Sage rolled her eyes when Lena started cackling at her joke. Lena shrugged as her laughter died. “Just wanted to tell you about this gorgeous woman and how I think you two would make a hot couple.”

Sage shook her head. “Do you ever stop? Do you recall how I told you last week I would never do another blind date? Or has that minute conversation been swept from your brain in such a short time?”

“ Au contraire ,” Lena began. “You said blind date, which this is not. This person is right under your nose.” Lena shrugged. “The truth is, I’m surprised you aren’t already gaga over her. She’s in your department.” She leaned in closer. “And headed our way,” she whispered.

Sage rolled her eyes and looked over her shoulder. No one was there, and Lena started laughing. “You’re nuts,” Sage muttered.

“Hey, you must be interested enough that it made you look.” Lena had a mischievous grin on her face. She was obviously proud of herself, which added to the fact that Lena didn’t know what the blind date from hell had done to Sage. She wasn’t ready to get with anyone, and Lena would just have to accept that. “Anyway, I really think you’d like this chick. I would say she’s your type, based on the few minutes I've seen her.”

“And you know my type?” Sage crossed her arms in front of her and arched her brow.

“I’m your BFF,” Lena argued. “I know you better than you know you.” She laughed. “Mark my words. This woman is for you. She’s a new receptionist that’s training with Darlene.”

Sage frowned. “Where’s Darlene going?”

Lena shook her head. “Don’t you get any of the gossip? Darlene is getting married, and they’re moving to Tennessee. Her last day is Friday.”

“I’m wondering how you know all this. This isn’t even your floor.”

Lena laughed. She was a pediatric nurse that was two floors down. Yet, she always seemed to be able to have an eye on everything. There were times when Sage was jealous of that, but other times, Sage wanted to shake her head and tell Lena she needed to be more invested in her own life and instead of others’.

“I heard it from Marcus, who heard it from Seth, who heard it from….” She shrugged. “You get the gist.”

“I sure do.”

“She is clearly leaving if she’s training someone, so I would say some of it’s probably true.” Sage frowned. Darlene was a great receptionist, and Sage just hoped that whoever they got to replace her would be half as dedicated to the patients.

“Well, I have to get back to work. Duty calls.”

“For me, too,” Lena replied. “See you in a couple of hours?”

“Yep, see ya.” Lena waved and grabbed her next chart. She glanced over to the front desk but could only see the back of the other woman. She shrugged and hurried off to the room. Her patients were waiting, and she could worry about the new employee later.

“Hello Margaret, my name is Sage, and I’ll be your Occupational Therapist from here on out.” Sage put out her hand, and the woman’s eyes were dark and held a glazed appearance to them. Sage touched her hand and gave it a slight pat.

Sage turned to the younger woman beside her, and Sage reached out her hand. The woman appeared to have been crying. She allowed the handshake, but there was some apprehension on her face. Sage grabbed the wheeled stool and pulled it over, so she could sit near them. A new patient was one of the hardest things to experience. They were typically scared and unsure of the process.

“What’s your name?” Sage asked, addressing the woman beside her patient.

“Monica,” the woman replied. “I’m her daughter.”

“Well, Monica, I want to assure you I’m here to assist you and your mom. Tell me what brings you in here today.”

“My mom had a stroke. She’s having trouble speaking and acknowledging when she’s being spoken to. This is all new to us and…” Monica took a deep breath. Sage gave her a genuine smile and patted her leg. “They say this is her last step to recovery. If she can recover, that is.”

“You’re both in good hands. I promise you.” Monica nodded and appeared relieved. “While I care for your mom, why don’t you go to the cafeteria and get some coffee or something? Or better yet, tea. The coffee isn’t the greatest.” Sage laughed, helping Monica to her feet. “Give me an hour. Today will just be an initial consultation to see what level your mom is at. Once we’re done, I’ll be here for any questions from you. Does that sound alright with you?”

Monica eagerly nodded, and Sage could feel a weight being lifted off Monica’s shoulders. Sage was going to be the one that gave a break to this family member, and sometimes that was all they needed. The Occupational Therapists that worked with her grandpa when he was going through his stroke were always so pleasant and sincere, and Sage vowed that’s who she wanted to be when she grew up. She turned to her patient, and the woman’s eyes remained dark. It wasn’t always an easy job, but in the end, it was rewarding, and that’s what Sage held on to.

Sage checked her watch. Just fifteen minutes before lunch, she was through with her last patient from the morning. She grabbed some papers to copy and headed to the reception area. With any luck, she could officially meet the woman that Lena was referring to, but if anyone asked, she was merely going to speak with Darlene and ask how it was possible that she hadn’t heard of her marrying news.

When she got to the desk, though, no one was there. She glanced around until she spotted the woman standing at the copier. She was hitting the sides and mumbling something under her breath. Sage approached her with caution.

“You stupid thing,” Stassi mumbled before hitting the copier again.

“Not sure what the copier has ever done to you but beating it like that rarely fixes the issue.” The woman turned around and gawked at Sage. Lena wasn’t wrong. This woman was good-looking. With her eyes wide and pouting, she even had a certain glow. But as Sage stared at her, she was hit by a sense of familiarity. She knew this woman or had at least seen her somewhere. And it wasn’t too long ago, but she just couldn’t place it.

“I was given a simple task,” the woman said, huffing along the way. “Darlene went to lunch, and she ordered me to do one small thing, and I can’t even do that right.” The woman diverted her gaze away from Sage. There was definitely some pouting going on. Darlene was always so helpful and never left the desk without her smile. The impression that Sage now had of the new one left her knowing that this woman wouldn’t be another Darlene.

“I can see if I can give it a whirl,” Sage offered. “I mean, if you don’t mind.”

“Couldn’t hurt,” Stassi grumbles. “But you’d think there’d be proper equipment here.”

Sage gave a light chuckle as she moved in and began opening up trays and doors until she found an area where some paper had wedged itself. She knelt and tugged on the paper until it was all taken out of the copier. She closed the door, and the copier sprung back to life, paper shooting out properly.

“There we go,” Sage said.

The woman nodded, then eventually made eye contact. “Thank you so much. I could have been stuck here the whole time that Darlene was gone.”

“Glad I could assist.” Sage shrugged off Stassi’s thanks.

“The name is Stassi Hewitt. I’m the new receptionist here.”

“Sage Pembroke.” Sage put out her hand to offer a shake, which Stassi accepted. “I’m an Occupational Therapist on this floor.”

“Nice to meet you,” Stassi replied.

Sage nodded. “Likewise.” As their hands had touched, a slight spark coursed through Sage’s veins. Sage had to quickly pull back, so she couldn’t admit that Lena might actually have a valid point. She tilted her head. She definitely recognized this woman. She wouldn’t have been able to miss those eyes anywhere. Stassi returned to her print job and placed the papers into an orderly pile before picking them up in her arms. Sage shook her head to get that thought out of her mind. “Now that the copier is back up and running, I need to copy some things. Do you mind?”

“That’s my job,” Stassi said in a weirdly sing-song yet decidedly disappointed tone. For someone that was just starting in a position, she didn’t seem too interested in the work she was doing. And, this was after only one half-day of work. This woman would have a rude awakening if she wasn’t satisfied with her first day on the job.

“Thank you! You can put it at the nurse’s station once you’re through. Headed to lunch.” Sage tossed a wave over her shoulder, but as she walked away, she glanced over her shoulder, staring at the blonde that was back working the copier. She nodded and smirked. It now hit her exactly where they had once crossed paths. It was brief but caught Sage off guard. As she started thinking about bumping into the woman at the club the other night, Stassi turned around and headed back her way.

She gave Sage a curious look, and Sage cleared her throat and stood up straight. “Checking up on me?” Stassi asked, then her face fell into a genuine smile. Before Sage could respond, she gave a meek shrug. “I’m sorry about earlier. I was a bit gruff. It’s been a rough few days in my life, and I guess it’s kind of soured my expression. But I’ll get better.” She held out the papers. “Let me know if you need anything else.” She turned and walked away from Sage. Sage continued to watch her, curious about her life and interested in learning more.

“Sage?” Sage jerked and spun on her heel. Lena tilted her head. “Everything alright?”

“Um yeah, why wouldn’t it be?” Sage shrugged and hurried towards the nurse’s station. She slipped the papers onto a tray and glanced at Lena. “Ready for lunch?”

“Are you kidding me? I’m born ready.” Lena laughed and headed to the elevator, but Stassi hadn’t left Sage’s mind. Everyone had a story, and Sage was intrigued by the idea of learning Stassi’s.