I confess that I love the way Carminha describes the details, she has a talent for writing. It is good to ward off evil spirits, doctor, so I get less concerned with the surgery.
The following morning, Miss Yonne underwent an operation to introduce a pacemaker. She did well in her usual mind lightness. That day she received a yellow rose from an anonymous woman and kept it in a glass of water by the bed. The night went by without surprises until Conrado was called over the phone. The new tests indicated that his patient's platelets had dropped a lot.
Conrado received Renato in his office.
I do not understand. She was having a spectacular improvement. How could it happen, Conrado?
I liked her very much, but we cannot predict, even with the hospital taking all precautions in terms of sepsis and bacteria control. What affects the elderly the most? If it were the bacteremia that affects 20 out of every 100 thousand elderly people, according to the WHO, but what happens is that hospital infection is ruthless. Even in this hospital, which is monitored by a Hospital Infection Control Commission and presents rates below 15%, every doctor´s fear happens, in short, that of HI. It is unpredictable, even more so in the elderly. I am terribly sorry.
Conrado comes back to reality with three knocks on the lime green door. Roberta and Tatiana introduce themselves.
My husband came from Teresópolis. He arrived by rescue helicopter, Dr. Conrado. Why did he go to the ICU?
The mention of the insurance company brand makes an immediate connection in his mind, only remaining to him to explain the case in doctor details.
It is not about that, ma´am, it is protocol. A transferred patient must stay at the ICU before going to a private room. Mr. João Henrique presents a left lung perforation caused by a crack in one of the ribs. It is necessary to do rates control and a complete patient monitoring, especially in the case of lung injury.
I believe I understand. He left a hospital and was boarded into a helicopter. On the way, whatever is in the air until he reaches a safe environment ... says Roberta.
Exactly, safe. The ICU has all the devices needed to monitor the patient, Conrado says.
What is the prevision for him to leave ICU?
First of all, we will give him a selection of medications to help regenerate the affected lung. I believe that in a few days we will have a conclusive report.
Conrado smiles in order to end the conversation. As soon as they leave, he returns to the death folder. He holds it for minutes, but his mind enters a spectacular phase of erotic dreams.
Tatiana and Roberta leave without saying a word. Their looks understand themselves and await a point of light at the end of the tunnel. They cross the street in irregular steps, and the gloom covers the afternoon.
They sit at a table in a restaurant crowded with executives. Roberta smooths her long brown dyed hair and remembers she hasn't even looked in a mirror for 48 hours. Elegant in navy blue velvet pants and a silk blouse printed in neutral colors, heads for the bathroom. In the background, a man looks at her carefully: a well-defined body for her age, long and firm legs, and a breast lap showing, exuberantly pink. Undoubtedly, a captivating woman with a striking walk crosses the hall.
In the toilet she finds a brunette who looks at her with concern. Roberta wipes her face with a handkerchief, wiping away the tears that fall like lightning rain. It is a storm that passes through the destiny of the well-balanced, brand clothing store manager. Ashamed, she justifies herself in the mirror in front of the stranger.
This hospital stuff finishes us up. My husband is there.
My friend too, Junior.
Rosa straightens her hair in a bun. She puts on her Hollywood star fleeing the paparazzi glasses, but she can´t hide her distress.
My friend went for routine exams. He's been my friend since I was a kid, when we played in high school. But what happened to your husband?
Car accident. In fact, he was hit by a madman in the BR highway. We ran out of gas, he was pushing our car on the road and ... Don't even remind me.
You´re nervous...
It is true, possibly the effect of PMS together with remorse. I don't know, lately I've been out of my Earth address.
Look, believe me. Everything will work out fine.
Rosa says goodbye and leaves, closing the toilet door carefully, ever so lightly like feathers. Roberta washes her face in search of immediate relief as if there could be an island of peace.
Tati looks for a spot in the restaurant to talk to her boyfriend on the cell phone. Ronaldo's voice is calm and rhythmic, which conveys his usual security, but she avoids lingering and looks around for her mother. Ronaldo insists on taking a company jet to Santos Dumont in Rio, but his girlfriend is tough. Controls herself all the time, but there is no more climate for both.
Roberta arrives and Tati hangs up the phone. Random affairs and denial are the artifices most used at this time.
It was my editor on the phone, next week, the story is mine. She conceals easily.
You are so good at what you do, will they give you credit for the article this time?
It depends on the material and how the final edition will look like. A today news theme forces the journalist to beat the others to the matter.
It will be all right. she says, remembering the comment from the girl in the bathroom.
I already ordered for both of us. Fish fillet with passion fruit sauce, noisette potatoes and arugula salad with Italian tomatoes.
Waiter, an orange juice.
And a vodka insinuates Roberta.
The two laugh in restrained emotion, leaving the waiter confused. At the end of the room, a gray-haired man gives Roberta a wink, and she despises him ofthe bat. The man realizes his failure but, not a bit shy, throws himself at another victim, a professional sitting at the barman's counter. The woman in a dress glued to the bluish black skin removes her leopard bag from the seat next to her, facilitating his approach.
Rosa approaches a nurse in the middle of a tumultuous corridor crowded with white coats. Her heart goes to her stomach and comes back in a spasm of fear. The employee is in a hurry, but is obliged to attend to her. Lucia is impatient, after all, it is not the task of a head nurse.
I'm looking for a guy who came in last night, named Gilberto, he was shot.
A boy named Gil arrived, he is in the infirmary.
But a shot patient in the infirmary, why?
Miss, the ICU was full, we only have twenty-six beds. The doctor is examining him now. Are you a relative?
No, a friend of his. disguises Rosa.
Oh, ok, no one has come yet, could you tell the relatives? The emergency phone is this one, call later to get patient information! But for visits, relatives only.
Was he operated on? Is he reacting? Where was the shot? Is he in any risk of his life? Nurse, Gilberto is like my brother. Please be human, at least that.
I can only guarantee what's on the file.
Rosa gives up and finds Roberta at the elevator door. They exchange few phrases, pressed by other passengers.
I need a favor, my friend Junior has no one and if you can give me news, call me, my phone is ...
People are in a hurry. The elevator doors close and take her hope away.