Melenden: A Fictional Narrative

“What?” Claire practically shouted. “Did they say if he was okay? Is he hurt?” “They didn’t say,” Jared revealed. “This could be a good thing.” Jared looked to both Claire and Melendez for reassurance but instead was greeted with blank faces. “I just mean; if he was hurt, they would have told us. Right?” “We’ll know more when they get here,” Melendez replied. Adorn with surgical gowns and masks, Melendez and his team waited for the arrival of the paramedics. “Here they are,” Melendez announced shortly after. The team watched as Arden was brought out on a stretcher by two paramedics. Shaun followed closely behind. “22-year-old female. Arden King,” the paramedic began calling out Arden’s medical information, “single gunshot wound …show more content…

The young doctor seemed to be unharmed, so he turned his attention to Arden. “Okay, what do we need to do?” Melendez asked. His years of experience as a surgeon meant he already knew the answer, but he needed to ensure his residence knew the answer as well. “Hemorrhagic shock. We’re going to need to 0 negative blood,” Jared quickly responded. “Good,” Melendez agreed, “go call for 4 units of 0 negative.” “I’ll go order up a chest X-Ray,” Claire said as she assisted the paramedics with moving Arden into the hospital. “Dr. Murphy,” Melendez said before Shaun had a chance to run into the hospital and assist. “Arden was shot. There’s a high possibility she will go into organ failure,” Shaun said impatiently, clearly wanting to go into the hospital to help. “Dr. Kalu and Dr. Browne know what they’re doing. We can take it from here,” Melendez said. “No, I want to help,” Shaun retorted. It was not often that Shaun undermined someone of …show more content…

“You do?” Melendez asked, not convinced that Shaun understood. “I just witnessed a shooting. You have to make sure I’m not in shock. I’m not in shock. I need to make sure Arden is okay,” Shaun said with his hands clasped in their usual position. “Shaun, you know I can’t let you operate on anyone right after you’ve been in a traumatic event.” Melendez could see Shaun’s shoulders begin to tense up. “Tell you what. Go sit in the waiting room. Catch your breath an-“ “I DON’T NEED TO CATCH MY BREATH. I NEED TO HELP ARDEN!” Shaun yelled. Melendez just stared at Shaun. He had never heard the doctor raise his voice before. “Alright,” Melendez realized that Shaun was not going to take “no” for an answer, and in a strange way, he respected that. Melendez knew he wouldn’t allow anyone to stop him from helping Jessica if she was hurt. But this was different, Melendez thought, Arden was just a friend, right? ”You can help, but not right now. I need to make sure all my doctors are mentally and physically prepared to work. I need you to go into the waiting room. I’ll have Dr. Lough give you a physiological evaluation. If she says you’re okay, you can help,” Melendez told Shaun. “There’s no time,” Shaun tried to