Если я останусь

           I’mnak*dfromthewaistdown,butnoonenoticesthesethingshere.Heputshishandsonmybelly,whichisswollenandhard.Hiseyeswidenandthennarrowintoslits."Abdomen’srigid,"hesaysangrily."Weneedtodoanultrasound."

           NurseRamirezrunstoabackroomandthenwheelsoutwhatlookslikeaportablelaptopwithalongwhiteattachment.Shesquirtssomejellyonmystomach,andthedoctorrunstheattachmentovermystomach.

           "Damn.Fulloffluid,"hesays."Patienthadsurgerythisafternoon?"

           "Asplenectomy,"NurseRamirezreplies.

           "Couldbeamissedbloodvesselthatwasn’tcauterized,"thedoctorsays."Oraslowleakfromaperforatedbowel.Caraccident,right?"

           "Yes.Patientwasmedevacedinthismorning."

           Thedoctorflipsthroughmychart."DoctorSorensenwashersurgeon.He’sstilloncall.Pagehim,gethertotheOR.Weneedtogetinsideandfindoutwhat’sleaking,andwhy,beforeshedropsanyfurther.Jesus,braincontusions,collapsedlung.Thiskid’satrainwreck."

           NurseRamirezshootsthedoctoradirtylook,asifhehadjustinsultedme.

           "MissRamirez,"thegrumpynurseatthedeskscolds."Youhavepatientsofyourowntodealwith.Let’sgetthisyoungwomanintubatedandtransferredtotheOR.Thatwilldohermoregoodthanallthisdillydallyingaround!"

           Thenursesworkrapidlytodetachthemonitorsandcathetersandrunanothertubedownmythroat.Apairoforderliesrushinwithagurneyandheavemeontoit.