Life as an Assistant Nurse isn't all that much different than before. She's still running the same old tests along with treating the same diseases.
Her mood had definitely improved since the hospital has gone through some much needed renovations. Though it doesn't magically cure all the patients that are constantly lining up in the snow waiting to get in each morning.
It feels like people from all over the world travel to Willow Creek Hospital for the best care, but that's the problem, even with all the effort that she puts into work, she would hardly decribe them as the best. Perhaps that should be her next goal. Willow Creek Hospital may be the only hospital around, but it's will be Charley's goal to turn it into Willow Cares Hospital. Which means, some things might need to change around on the staff.
Remember Yasmin, yeah, her negiligence is something they don't need on staff. Charley couldn't convince her superior to fire her, so she was demoted to receptionist for now. Hopefully she can at least handle this much. If not, her days maybe numbered.
Next step it making sure that every patient leaves with quality care.
Not that kind of care... That just might make things worse.
Charley knew this was a big undertaking and things might not improve over night, but so long as they provide the necessary care to their patients and provide proper training to new hires, so that no one else has to experience the same torture Charley had to with learning how all the various machinery work.
But at the end of the day, the joy of successfully treating your patients makes it all worth it in the end.
Phew! What an undertaking. I've got a lot on my plate with this. Charley thought to herself on her way home. She decided this might be a good time to check in with her parents again.
Hi Mom, hi Dad!
Hope you're doing well. It feels like everyone is falling ill this winter season. Good news, I am proudly Willow Creek's Newest Assistant Nurse. I'll be a doctor before you know it at this rate. I really miss you both and I hope you're doing well. Hopefully the snow isn't too bad at home. I know you've been looking forwards to retirement in Sulani. We don't have too much snow in the Valley, so it's been nice getting away from it at least at home. Maybe I'll find some time on Sunday to drop by and visit.
Lots of Love, Charley!
Back at home, Charley tried clearing her mind with a little painting, but even that turned morbid as she couldn't take her mind off everything.
Her phone buzzed with a reminder that the Spice Festival was in town. So maybe she just needed a night out with friends to help take her mind off of things. She was about to finish up her painting when her phone buzzed again. This time it was Akira.
Her heart fluttered nervously for a moment as she answered the phone. "Hello? Charley here."
"Hey Char! It's Akira, did you hear about the Spice Festival in town? I figured you, me, Penny, and Minato would want to go check it out?"
"Oh? Yeah... sure." Charley wasn't sure why she was so disappointed, but she remembered that was exactly what she was wanting to do anyways. "I was about to call you guys and see if you wanted to do the same thing." She chuckled almost forcefully. "I'll see you there in 30."
When she arrived both Penny and Akira were waiting for her, Minato was running a little late but was going to be there shortly.
"So Penny, how's motherhood treating you?" Charley asked when she first saw Penny. She got a text late last night that she gave birth to a baby body named Colton.
"Lots of stinky diapers and high pitch screams. It's like he's never content." Penny sighed shaking her head.
"Then Gavin was okay with you coming out tonight?" Akira questioned surprised that she was even there.
"Oh yeah, he practically pushed me out the door. I've been working from home and caring for him all day, and since he worked today, Gavin really wanted some quality time alone with his son. So who was I to turn down his request." Penny smiled, she clearly appreciated her husband and everything he does for her.
"So I hear the food out here is exceptional, perhaps we should go try some samples, and if you are brave enough, we can see who can handle the Curry Challenge!" Akira started to decribe.
"Well I'm hungry now, so let's all try the Curry Challenge before we move onto samples" Charley suggested as stomach let out an ominous growl. Not only did everything smell so good, but the last time she ate was a fruit salad breakfast this morning at the hospital.
Because they all decided to sit in different locations, it was hard to keep track of everyone's Curry progress, but by the time Charley found Minato, he was already blowing smoke rings like Gandalf. Guess he can't handle his heat very well.
Akira the big talker was the next to fail.
Charley tired surpressing her laughter which went and turned into a burp. No, no, no, no...!
Guess she too couldn't handle her heat. Though of all of those who failed, she had the most impressive burp. So she got kudo points for that.
Peny on the other hand was hardly phased by the heat, she enjoyed it more than anything.
"How are you able to ingest all that spice?" Minato wondered, in awe of her.
Penny smirked. "You tend to end strange things when you're pregnant, and I ate a lot of curry during my pregnancy. And this is nothing compared to the curries Gavin made." She leaned in and whispered. "He tended to overuse the spices so they were about twice as hot as this."
Blood drained from Minato's already pale face at the thought of spicier curry existing out there.
After getting samples of all the various foods, they found a table to sit down and relax as their stomach digested all the delious, but rich flavors.
"This is exactly what I needed. A relaxing evening after a rough day at work..." Charley sighed.
"Rough day?" Minato asked.
"Not entirely..." Charley mused. "I just want to make a difference at work. And make a name for being the best hospital in town, not just the only hospital in town. You know?"
Akira moved a little closer to Charley as she was explaining her thought process. The wind chill must've dropped the temperature low enough for him to seek some additional warmth. Charley though was too aborbed into her own thoughts to even notice.
"I get what you mean," Minato replied. "You don't want to be just the only option, you want to be the best option too."
"Yes exactly!" Charley exclaimed. "It's a tough undertaking since I'm not in a position to demand too much, but maybe if I raise high enough in the ranks I can implement some real standards."
"Well if anyone can do it, it's most definitely you! You're an amazing and wonderful woman. I can't wait to see all the things you do." Minato exclaimed.
Charley blushed and averted her eyes momentarily only to notice that both Penny and Akira had left. Guess it was to be expected, they kinda did end up excluding them from the conversation.
She felt her heart fluttering in her chest and she turned back to Minato. "Well I guess we're the only ones left."
"You're right. It is pretty late too. Shall we call it an night and perhaps I'll see you again soon?" Minato asked with a coy smile.
Charley was beaming, but she tired to hide her grin some. She didn't want to give away her inner squealing. "Perhaps we should take a commemorative selfie before we leave. You know, showing that we survived the Spice Festival." Charley may have only suggested that as an excuse to get close to him. It was cold after all.
Charley returned to her little tent in high spirits excited to see what Saturday brings. Perhaps she'd hear from Minato this time?
~~~~~~
"Welcome back to Newcrest News. It's Friday, Winter 6, and I'm your host Julia Wright. Breaking news for tonight, two locals have been spotted performing a demonic ritual in the middle of the Spice District. Wait? It's not a demonic ritual? You're telling me this is the best friend ritual? Uh... This just in, Penny Richards and Charley Little performed their BFF ritual in the middle of the Spice District, leaving many, including their own friends, studded in the aftermath. Becky, over to you."
"Thanks Julia! If I remember correctly, there were a few sacrifices when we became BFFs so I don't know what the big deal is..."
"BECKY!"
"Oh right, Becky here, with San Myshuno's do's and don'ts of fashion. Don't be like local Doctor Yuusuke Wada and wandering around the city without any pants. Not only is it Winter, but it's also a Fasion Don't!"
"And now onto the do's. This season the go to style is clearly a pattern cartigan with a plain tee and capris. Look how fashionable Clara and Sakura are in their mimicked look. And if I remember correctly Charley too might've been working that same look in teal sometime earlier."
"Speaking of Charley Little, our undercover hospital rep, captured this moment of Charley trying to eat fruit with chopsticks and failing miserably. Better luck next time, Charley.
This is Julia Wright, signing off for the evening. Thanks for tuning in."
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