"Joan ,you will assist Mr Marsale with his breakfast,then get the dressing tools to change for Mr Baker " Edith instructed as she moved to another patient.
"Right away" said Joan , carrying the tray to Mr Marsal .
The days passed in a blur of early mornings, endless rounds, and aching feet. It had been a week since Joan joined as a nurse. Thankfully, the first week was an eventful—Just a normal routine of tending to patients,with no difficult cases admitted.
Still ,she has learned a lot,she has seen different treatable conditions, observed how the ward functions,and slowly got familiar with her colleagues and doctors.Edith, for Example , is engaged,and there were rumors about stolen medicines being resold—unsurprising in a place without strict surveillance. There was also the rotation of nurses' leave, and today happened to be Joan's half-day off, enough to get things done.
"Can you bring me a notebook on your way, I forgot to buy it on my day off "Lily asked after a bite of her chicken
"Sure , do you want anything else?"
"No , I think my ink bottle will last until next time "
It was a rare sunny day , although the snow had not melted and a chill still hung in the air,it felt slightly warmer than usual.
Joan, feeling suffocated after a week inside the ward ,decided to take a walk , before heading to the post office.
As she walked ,she took in the changing atmosphere of the city reflecting the end of the year.
Lights glowed softly in the shop windows, and people moved quickly through the evening air, their breaths visible in the cold.
Although most people have a look of exhaustion, they still have a hopeful smile for a new year.
"Good morning, young lady , what can I do for you?" a young man with red curly hair and a bright smile greeted her.
"I want to rent a mail box,please "
Joan had thought about it over lunch with Lily. Her mail had already gone missing once, and Lily had suggested it might be time to rent a private box.
She wanted to send her articles anonymously. Even if her work was not particularly remarkable yet, she preferred not to be known as the "all-knowing nurse" after only a few days in service.
In the past week she had written three articles. Of course she wanted to do more , but didn't want to burn herself. Some nights she just relaxes with yoga ,sketches or reviews her notes. A trainee's life is repetitive and without a balance,her energy will drain.
Back to the topic, the other day , Lily had casually mentioned how her letters sometimes got lost, adding that a mail box might be a practical solution. The idea had stayed with Joan ever since, like a hand offering her a place to rest.
"Name?"
"J. B. Wood," Joan said after a brief pause.
The clerk nodded and wrote it down without question.
"It will cost you one dollar per month," the mailman stated.
Joan handed over the money and signed her name .
"Here you go , your box number is three hundred and forty two "
He pointed to the wall.Rows of small brass boxes lined the wall behind the counter, each marked with a number.
She sent her work for two women's magazines and a local New York daily paper.
As she stepped back outside, a child almost bumped into her. She quickly caught him.
"Are you alright" Joan asked ,worried
"I'm fine, thank you,miss"
Only after he left did Joan realize that he had likely been a pickpocket,she checked her watch and purse,sighed in relief , finding everything intact.
After walking a little further, Joan entered a library , hoping to borrow a book , and refresh herself after a long walk.
New York public library ,stood in bold Letters above the entrance.It stood quietly amidst the busy streets, with tall walls holding a different kind of silence.
The library was quiet, filled with rows of books and the soft rustle of turning pages.The library was quiet, filled with rows of books and the soft rustle of turning pages.
She walked between shelves until she chose the lost world, she settled in a corner seat, indulging after a week of not reading anything, despite being addicted to novels for more than ten years.
After about two hours, she left the library to buy Lily's notebook and pick up a few small items before returning to the residence.
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