Routine.

What the….? Oh yeah, that’s a pager. My pager. Ripping me out of my precious and much adored sleep.

Feet on the floor. Shirt over the tank top. Swap jeans for pjs. Shake the cobwebs from your brain.

Phone… check. Radio… check. Pager… check. Shoes?! There they are…

Pause at Jo’s door. Detect no movement or light.

Grab car keys and boots. Don’t forget to lock the door.

Wipers on to clear the fog on my window. Window down to allow the cool air to chase out the spiders from my brain.

Updates… location change… doesn’t sound good.

Pull in. Phone into the pocket. Pager and radio on my hip. Grab your helmet. You always forget your helmet.

Into the ambulance and off we go.

Ration out gloves and talk game-plan. Right there. See the squad?

Wow! That looks like it hurt… don’t cringe on the outside. Gloves on… Jump kit… check. Spinal board… check.

Crap, I forgot my reflective vest.

Blood. Lots of blood. Music is blaring. Odd thoughts of musical notes floating upside down out of the car on it’s roof. Dancing to the beat on the inside. Hands are steady holding c-spine.

Frustration mounts… my questions are more important that yours. I’ll get you his info in a minute.

What? Trauma shears? Right pants pocket. Oh wait… left. Speaking of spiders, please shoo that one off my leg.

Ants? What’s with the bugs? Ick. Can’t let go. Kinda itchy.

No-Bama. Funny even in pain.

Whoa. That looks like it hurts. I’m intrigued. Memories in check. Stay there please. Thanks.

C-spine kit in a giant ant pile. More itchy. Yuck. Tease new guy about placement of gear. Surprised it wasn’t me this time.

Check the back. Roll him on my count. Straps and backboards. Out of Bug Central.

Wow… things are going smooth as silk.

Big needle… giggle. All before the BP cuff deflates. Booya. One shot. Go me.

Wait. He just asked that question 2 minutes ago. Here come the 11’s... Put your thinking cap on.

Okay, time for the mental checklist…

Anyone else? Any changes?

No, don’t get mad at us. We are helping you. I’ll smile. You take deep breaths.

There. That’s better.

What’s that? I can’t tell you one way or the other. Yes, I was holding c-spine. Sorry it’s not the answer you want to hear but I can’t say yes or no. Sassy man with a star…

Helicopter is here.

Nice Flight crew. New partners to dance with. They join effortlessly.

Recap and recheck. Switch monitors. Pack up IV’s. Pain meds mean a happy(er) patient.

Personal items nestled in between his legs.

Off to a hot load. Man… that never gets old. Rush of cool night air as they ascend into the black. Straight up sure is impressive.

A blinking star takes off into the night.

Disaster in the squad. Gloves. Blood. Wrappers. Remnants of a shirt.

Clean it up. Back to the station. So tired.

Paperwork. Restock. Clean. Don’t look at your watch. The watch I get teased for. Happy thoughts.

Windows down. Music up. Need to stay awake for 5 more minutes.

Hot. Sweaty. One hour until daily beeping.

Fan on high. Beg for sleep.

Pillows to the floor. Pillows on the bed.

Right side. Left side. Flop like a fish.

Forget it.

Time for a shower.