First Date

While clearly it was an interesting week for me - which might be a big understatement - being held captive I was experiencing things in a microcosm. 

For the most part of the week, I remained mostly immobile in about 150 square feet. Never once did I turn on the tv. I had nothing to do but observe. 

What I noticed is how gay healthcare has become. Outwardly. 

Back in my day - yes I'm old enough to be able to say that - while not hidden, it was certainly not out there. I could count the number of male nurses on less than two hands that I knew. All gay. 

In the job I worked, there were a high number of gay males in the roles of clerks at the hospital. 

Even meeting 710 there, while not clandestine, we didn't talk about our relationship or make lovey dovey eyes across the workspace. Number one, it wasn't really either of our nature, but two - you always got the feeling no one wanted to know. And it's work, that's valid............you know to a degree. 

Day 1. Hour 1, even. I get to ED room #16 to br greeted by a handsome Amerasian RN named Jacob. Professional. Nice. Upbeat. Cute AF. 

It wasn't long before he knew I was gay because I asked someone to contact my husband to let him know where I was. 

Portable xray tech Jeremy showed up soon after. Also cute - not as handsome - and as Asian as Jacob. 

Inside my bay, while I tried to hold it together, one of them says (I wasn't looking, so I can't claim exactly who) "what happened to the date we were supposed to have?".   The other replies, "I've been waiting for you to ask, but I'm free on Wednesday and Saturday."

I really didn't know who was talking because now I was actively not looking. I get where some patients might be put off by the conversation at all, let alone in front of the patient - distracting from their care, I was like, "awwwwwww...........a real life meet-cute moment".  My heart was filled an not just be adrenaline. 

Jacob went out and Jeremy came to do my red hot photo shoot. I just asked him where he thought they'd go on their date. He got all excited telling me some place - which I've forgotten - as they have the best ramen anywhere. 

Blobby bit his lip. I just thought two Asian guys getting ramen was too right on the nose. But it's not my life or my culture, so I shut the fuck up.  Before I left, I told him I hope they have a great time. Then I wondered if any other patient would have weighed in at all, let alone positively. 

Jacob's shift was over before I got transferred but he came to say bye. I told him I hope he and Jeremy had a great date. He thanked me. 

I was stuck there for 16 hours - what else did I have to do? 

At the other hospital, Stephan came in to see if I needed anything. 710 was there. I don't think he ever took my vitals, so I don't know his role exactly. But he straightened my bed saying he doesn't really work this floor and his ideal would to work on the Hem-Onc floor. 

I casually reply that was where 710 and I met. He just snapped his head up and asked if that was true. It was. 

"So............who made the first move?".    "I mean.....who asked out the other first?

Maybe the question should have surprised me, but it didn't. We looked at each not having a true answer. I said, the nurses on the unit kept getting us to go out with them after work. And 710 rattled off a few names of those involved. Obvi for us, not Stephan. 

"How long ago was this?"  I said almost 42 years. His reply flattened me: "and you remember those details from that long ago............that's amazing. 

Lord. 

710 and I laughed after he left. 

The last was Tristin. I'm not even changing names with any of these btw. 

He was a wisp of a man. Maybe 5'10" and all of 100 lbs, soaking wet. Feathered blonde hair. Clear porcelain skin along with high breathing voice. And practically floating, he had so much loafer lightener. 

He walked in as my PT returned me to my room. He was "here to get your vitals"..... "

I thought, "oh, it's so nice they're giving shadowing experiences to high school kids, because there is no way this guy was over 14. 

".....and to take our your cath". 

I know my face changed. I know my eyes bulged. Probably showed panic. Veronica, the PT, and I looked at each other and she read my every thought. 

He said he'd prefer me to get into bed to do it, as he was most comfortable. And I immediately said, "I need you to be more comfortable than myself". 

I'm all for giving guys a chance in bed, but this was not my line of thought. Cathing - in or out - as I've said earlier - is tricky at best. And for this I wanted experienced hands. I didn't want to be Tristin's fourth cath extraction. And a mishap would have surely broken me. 

Just then a woman walks in the room to take it out. I had missed Veronica ducking out, but she got someone else to come in and do it.  Phew. 

Tristin and I remained friendly through the of the rest of the time I was there. 

Still, it was nice to see how free and open gay guys are now. Their comfort level. Their acceptance. 

Of course, I am dying to know how the date went with Jeremy and Jacob.  Maybe they'll tell some rando hospital staff member their story in 40 years. 

Song by: blink-182