Oops!

I should have known better.  I woke with an uneasy feeling this morning, but shrugged it off.  Still, my subconscious wouldn’t let it go.  Are you sure you aren’t working an early shift today?  Exhausted, I checked the clock again and reminded myself that I had double-checked my planner last night.  I was definitely scheduled to work the late shift, which meant I wasn’t due at the hospital until 1pm.  Content with that thought, I rolled over and snoozed a little longer.  Besides, I reasoned, my body clock always gets out of whack when I switch up my shifts.  I had worked an early the day before, so I wasn’t surprised my mind was playing tricks on me.  I chalked it up to shift-worker’s paranoia. 

It wasn’t long before the phone rang.  It was Mouse calling for our daily chat.  (My 6am is his 1pm.)  After that, I was up, ready to make my coffee and start the day.  It was a lazy beginning to my morning, which I thoroughly appreciate.  I relish the luxury of having this time to myself, of being able to enjoy a cup of coffee (albeit instant) before my run.  This is why I appreciate my evening shifts.  I don’t mind getting home a little late if it means I can start my day as I please. 

Unfortunately, as it turns out, this wasn’t meant to be one of those days.  It wasn’t long before my calm was interrupted again. This time, it wasn’t Mouse.  Instead, the person on the other end was female.  More specifically, my charge nurse was calling.  I knew straight away.  Crap!  I could have kicked myself.  I wrote down the wrong time in my planner.  “I’ll be there in twenty minutes” was all I could blurt out.  My face was flushed and I broke into cold sweats.  I don’t deal well with guilt.  My day had just gone from idyllic leisure to panicked craze.  Ugh!  But, I supposed, that’s what I get for ignoring my intuition.