By: Lisa Anne Hetu
Disclaimer: Anne Smith is a fictional character that I made up. All other nursing
and hospital staff also belong to me. Alan Sean and Edward are real people with real
lives that do not effect this story in any way. The idea for this tale was taken
from something Sean said at a concert, but this story has no baring on Edward's actual
health condition.
Anne worked voluntarily at the Ottawa General Hospital. She'd been there
for about two years now, so she had a fair amount of responsibilities. Usually, Anne
spent most of her time cleaning the rooms for new patients, bringing meals to
patients, washing dishes, and laundry, and other related duties. Also, since a few
months ago, Anne been personally caring for a few patients at a time; this meant
keeping older people company and talking with them, playing games with the
children, helping people to get where they needed to go, and a few other things.
It was about the middle of June, around supper time. Anne was on her way
to prepare the dinner cart for the adults on her floor, and she just happened to pass
the front desk on her way by. "Anne can I talk to you for a minute." asked one of the
head nurses.
"Well, I was just on my way to bring dinner around" Anne said, pointing in the
direction she was headed.
"Oh, it'll only take a minute." said the nurse.
"Sure, go ahead then" Anne smiled.
"We just got a new patient in today, come all the way from Newfoundland."
said the nurse, "We're treating him for recovery from a heart attack and his family
really can't visit him here. I thought, since you aren't caring for any patients at the
present, you could keep him company while he with us. He said he enjoys company
and he could use the extra help anyway."
"Sure, I'd be glad to care for him while he's here." Anne agreed, and went on
her way.
Anne didn't meet her new patient until the next morning at breakfast when she
was serving. "Room service!" Anne smiled, wheeling her cart into the room. "And
how are you feeling this morning Mr. ... McCann?" Anne said glancing at his chart.
"Oh please, call me Ed" said the man.
"Here's your breakfast, Anne said cheerfully, "Edward McCann ..." Anne read
again from the chart, tossing the name around in her head, "I know that name."
"And what would your name be?" Ed asked trying to analyze Anne's
comment.
"I'm Anne Smith, I'm going to be keeping you company while you're here."
"You're my new nurse buddy," Ed realized, "but I don't know you're name from
anywhere."
"I don't think you would," Anne said, "Do you have a son named Sean?"
Edward nodded.
"That's how I know you're name then; I'm a fan of Great Big Sea ... have been
since '96" said Anne.
"So, you know Sean eh?" said Ed.
"Not personally, I haven't actually met the band yet," said Anne, "but anyway, I
have to finish serving breakfast. I've got many duties here at the hospital; I'll visit you
again after breakfast okay?"
"I'll be waiting," said Ed, "seems I got no place else to go!"
Anne and Edward laughed, then Anne left the room pulling her cart along with
her.
Anne spent as much time as she could with Edward. He'd tell her about
Sean and the rest of his family, what he remembered when he was young, and how
Newfoundland had changed since he was a child. Anne even told Ed a bit about
herself and her job at the hospital.
"That's a very nice story," Anne said, "I've never been to Newfoundland, but I
want to go someday."
"You'll get there some day" Edward replied, "And speaking of trips, could you
help me over to the washroom, I need to take a trip of my own."
Anne slowly helped Edward out of his white hospital bed and into a standing
position. "Don't forget your pole here." Anne reminded him.
"See? I've even got myself some luggage!" Ed joked.
Anne felt it was good for Ed to joke; what would be the use of being
miserable? "Think you can manage the rest yourself? I'll wait right outside the door."
Anne smiled, closing the bathroom door behind Edward.
Only moments later, Sean and Alan (members of GBS) came to visit
Edward. "I'm here to see my father, Ed McCann; is this his room?"
"Hi Sean, hi Alan" Anne greeted, "Ed's just in the washroom, he'll be out in a
minute."
"Are you my dad's nurse?" Sean asked.
"I've been keeping him company when he needs it," Anne said, "It's part of
my volunteer work here at the hospital."
"And you seem to know us quite well..." Alan said questioning how Anne
knew their names.
"Yes," Anne smiled, "I've been a fan of yours since 1996"
"Oh, it's nice to meet you..." Sean paused, searching for a name.
"Anne." Anne said, finishing his sentence.
Soon, Ed came out of the washroom to find his son waiting for him.
"Whaddya at son?" Ed smiled.
"How are you dad?" Sean asked, watching Anne help Edward back into his
bed, "Do you need help dad?"
"I can manage with Anne." Edward answered.
"When Sean asked about his fathers condition again, Anne answered. "He
seems to be doing fine Sean" Anne said, "I haven't been in touch with his doctor or
anything, but he's been quite cheerful for the last little while, and his chart says he's
progressing nicely. The chart says he should be ready to leave in about two weeks.
You're dad's fine!"
"Oh, I'm glad to hear that," said Sean, letting out a deep breath.
"Well, I guess I'll leave you boys alone for a while and let you visit." Anne said
leaving the room.
Alan followed Anne to just outside the door. "Anne, are you going to be a ta
the Stardust festival tonight by any chance?" Alan asked.
"You bet I will," Anne said.
"Tell you what, find me a pen and paper, and I'll write you a little note to let
you visit us back stage before the show.." Alan said.
"Just ask at the front desk, and I'll be back to get it in about 15 minutes. I
have to get the dinner cart ready."
"Okay" said Alan.
A while later, Anne served dinner to Ed McCann, sadly informing the boys
that visiting hours were over until tomorrow. She put Alan's note in her pocket as
Sean hugged his father good-bye. Anne said nothing and left the room quietly with
her cart. Sean met her in the hall as she came out of another room near Edward's.
"Anne," he said, "I really want to thank you for taking care of dad and keeping him
company when I couldn't. He's very happy that you've been there to talk to, and I
believe you've helped him to recover just by keeping him happy and being his
friend." Sean finished his little speech by giving Anne a hug.
"Aw, I didn't do anything special, just what I volunteered to do," Anne said, "I'll
let you in on a secret though. I paid extra close attention to him just because I knew
he was your father, and I didn't want to let one of my favorite guys down."
"Trust me, you didn't," Sean said, "I just wish I could make it up to you."
"Oh, I think that your hug and the look on your face right now are thanks
enough for me," Anne smiled, "Not to mention knowing that Ed's okay now, and that
you and your family can be that much happier because of it."
"You're a great friend Anne," Sean said, "to my dad and to me. I hope we
can stay friends for a long time."
"For life Sean, and don't you forget it," Anne said, "I've always cared about
the band, and I've always held a special place in my heart for your music. I'm just
glad I was able to give something back."
"I won't forget you Anne," Sean said, "You're a very special person."
Just then, Alan found Sean, and said "We better get going, we have a
concert to do"
"Yeah, I'm coming" Sean said.
"Play good tonight guys" Anne smiled.
"We'll see you there" Alan said, in a tone that was more like a command than
a request.
Anne smiled, "I wouldn't miss it" she said, and waved to them as they left.
Anne felt all warm and happy inside; she was glad to have been able to do
her job well, and she was happy to have a made a few new friends.
THE END
