Crisis of Identity

My eyes opened to the sound of two Nurses standing at the foot of mum’s bed, talking quietly.

All those sedentary hours sitting watching mum sleep, the casual glances to make sure the machines keep beeping, all took its toll. I fell asleep in my chair.

Before I opened my eyes I heard one Nurse say how cute it was of me to be maintaining a vigil by my mother’s bed. I heard the other whisper, “I think he is cute, regardless.”

It was time to let them know I am waking before it gets too embarrassing. I sat back in my chair.

‘Welcome back sleepy head…’ the Nurse holding mum’s patient record said, as I stirred awake. My focus flicked to mum. No change. She was still sleeping.

The other Nurse said to her colleague, ‘I’ll catch you later,’ then left.

‘Your mother is doing really well…’ the remaining Nurse reassured. ‘You are welcome to stay if you wish, but she is unlikely to wake before morning. She is medicated to ensure she rests.’

My focus shifted to this Nurse. She was hot—my age with Delta Goodrem looks, piercing blue eyes and perfect white teeth. Her name tag read, “Georgie”.

Surprisingly, there were no rings on her left hand. Maybe she takes them off to work. ‘Is she going to be alright?’ I asked as I regarded mum. ‘I have no idea how long she stopped breathing for before I got to her. Is that likely to have caused any permanent damage…?’

Georgie read mum’s record. ‘The Doctors completed a number of tests to check your mother’s brain activity and they were all very positive…’

‘I can feel a “But” coming…’

She smiled. ‘But…’ she said with emphasis. Her smile was captivating. ‘The Doctors will need to examine her fully when she wakes, just to check there are no lasting complications.’

‘OK thanks.’ I held my gaze on the Georgie. ‘You have an amazing smile.’ Those words flew out before I had time to think.

‘Oh. Thank you.’ Her tone was one of surprise.

‘I’m sorry, that probably came across as a little sleazy. It wasn’t meant to. It was purely a compliment.’

‘No. No. No. It was quite flattering, actually…’

I stood from the chair. After sitting for so long I moved with the dexterity of an old man. ‘Well…I suppose I may as well head home…So you think it will be OK for me to visit her tomorrow morning?’

‘Absolutely. I’m not sure if she will be awake by tomorrow, but you are welcome to come in and see.’

‘Great. Thanks.’ I kissed mum’s forehead. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow, Mum…’ I whispered near her ear. When my eyes met Georgie, she smiled. ‘I don’t know if she can hear me or not… but…’ I shrugged as my words trailed off.

‘I think she can…,’ she said with convincing conviction.

’I’m Kade… you know… in case I see you ‘round here tomorrow…’ It was the best line I had.

She smiled as she hugged mum’s patient record to her chest. ‘Georgie…’

I pointed to her name tag. ‘Yeah, I kinda already knew that…’

She rolled her eyes then giggled. ‘Of course… Sorry. I forget I’m wearing that sometimes.’

I checked my watch. ‘No wonder I’m feeling hungry. Do you get a meal break in here…? Maybe I can buy you some dinner on your break.’

Georgie’s face tightened. ‘Oh… Ah, no. Sorry. I ah… Look… that’s very kind but… I, I eat when I get then chance. But thank you anyway…’

That was the politest fob off I have ever experienced. I held up a hand. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable… I just thought, I have to get something to eat and if you… Anyway…’ I waved the back of my hand as my words trailed off, again. I didn’t need to spell it out.

‘You don’t have to apologize. It was sweet you offered, but I’m on until 10pm tonight, so…’

‘I understand...’ I gestured towards the door after making a fool of myself. ‘I must get going…’ Georgie stepped back from the end of the bed to allow me to pass.

‘But, if your offer extends to breakfast tomorrow morning, then…’ she said with a flash of her brilliant smile.

She caught me off guard. I was not expecting that. ‘Breakfast…. Ah Yes. Yes. Of Course. Of course it does. Breakfast would be great. Would you prefer somewhere in the city?’

‘The city would be best for me.’

’OK. Do you know Mancini’s on Swan…?’

‘Best coffee in town…’

’I know right? How does 8am suit?

‘Eight is great. I look forward to it.’

Following an exchange of mobile numbers, I left the hospital to return to mine to rustle up something for dinner.

It was difficult to remove the smile etched into my face as I strolled back to my car. Hitting on the ICU Nurse caring for mum is not my style. Sure they look hot in their uniforms but my sole concern during my visit was for mum’s complete recovery.

If nothing else, meeting Georgie was a pleasant distraction from all the worry and fear I have over mum’s well-being.

A fit looking waitress greeted me at the “Wait Here To Be Seated” sign, with a pleasant smile. Her manicured eyebrows lifted as she asked, ‘Table for one…?’

I flicked up two fingers. ‘Two.’

Following a quick scan of the café she escorted me to a two-seater table over by the side wall. ‘Thanks Tonya,’ I said as I slid into the seat facing the door. I pointed to her name tag when she stopped and gave me a, do I know you frown.

The café culture is alive and thriving at Mancini’s. People freshly groomed for the office occupied the 10 or so tables in the seating area. The hand full of staff behind the glass display counter presenting a fish bowl view of the cakes and pastries on offer, were flat out serving the take-away coffee line snaking back to the door.

Georgie arrived around two or three minutes after me. She paused at the door, lifted her stylish sunnies up onto her head as she scanned the café. My raised hand caught her eye. She smiled and moved towards me.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she approached. She looked amazing in her denim skinny jeans with burst knees and a white designer t-shirt. Last night in the hospital Georgie’s mousey-brown hair was tied back. Today, her shoulder-length hair fell free, framing her face perfectly.

I stood and greeted her with a cheek peck. We hardly had time to take our seats and say our hellos when Tonya returned and handed us two menus and ran through the Breakfast Specials.

While our order of two coffees and two serves of French Toast were prepared—mine with a side of crispy bacon, Georgie and I took the time to get to know each other a little better. For me, time seemed to stand still.

‘Have you had breakfast here before?’ I asked.

‘No. This is a first for me. I often grab a morning coffee from here though.’

‘I do too, usually when I catch up with my mate.’ I jabbed a thumb to my left. ‘His office is just up the road.’ Georgie smiled her response. ‘You come here for morning coffees…’ I said. ‘It’s a long walk from the hospital for a coffee…?’

‘Oh no. On my days off I come here for a morning coffee.’

‘I see.’

Georgie gestured to her right. ‘My apartment is not far from here.’

‘You live in the city?’

‘I do.’

‘Cool. So I take it you’re not a local then…?’ Georgie’s perfectly formed eyebrows arched. ‘I mean, living in the city… I assume you’re not from here, originally.’

She smiled. ‘I’ve been here now for three years but I’m originally from Victoria…a Regional town called Geelong, about one hour south of Melbourne…’

‘I know Geelong. It’s near Bells Beach…’

‘That’s right. Are you a surfer?’

’I don’t mind catching a wave or two… but I know Bells because when I was a teenager my dad took me there to watch the Bells Beach Classic… We stayed in a hotel in Torquay.’

‘Nice part of the world, isn’t it?’

‘It is. So how did you end up over here?’

‘I did my degree in the university in Geelong. After I graduated I did a few placements in Melbourne and Geelong… but positions in Victoria were highly sought after. I eventually applied for this position over here and I was lucky enough to get it. That was three years ago now…’

‘Geelong’s loss…Perth’s gain.’

Tonya arrived with our hot coffees. Our breakfasts followed shortly after.

Conversation with Georgie was so easy. I didn’t want breakfast to end. When I mentioned my unfortunate experience with Dawes and his absurd allegations about me being Jayden Evans, Georgie said, ‘I saw that in the West Australian. Was that you…?’

My mouth straightened. ‘Unfortunately… Yes, it was.’

‘Didn’t the newspaper run a retraction of the article and an apology…?’

‘They did, but only after we threatened to sue them for libel. Long story really but the short version is… Mum and I met with them with our lawyer and presented evidence to show the article contained false and damaging information about me and my family, especially my mum, whom you met last night…’

‘I did… Well, she was sleeping, but I’m sure I will get to meet your mother on my next shift.’ She said followed by a mesmerising smile. ’I especially remember reading that article though,’ she said continuing. ‘Because I felt so sorry for the guy mentioned in the article and the family involved…’ She shook her head. ‘And that was you…’ she said is a tone of amazement.

I held hands out to the side. ‘In the flesh,’ I said.

Our conversation continued well after Tonya cleared away our empty plates. It continued long after we declined Tonya’s offer for another coffee.

We shared a lot of information about each other; some of it personal. But the information that resonated with me the most was when I learned Georgie was single, having recently split from a 6-month relationship.

Patron numbers in the café had thinned considerably. Our table and two others were all that remained occupied. I had no idea what the time was and I didn’t care.

‘A lot quieter now…’ I said.

Georgie checked her watch: 9.45am. ‘Oh my goodness. I’ve kept you from your work.’

I raised a reassuring hand. ‘It’s OK. I have the morning off to visit mum, so time is not an issue. Are you working today?’

‘No. RDO. I’m on afternoon tomorrow.’ She scanned the café. Her nose twitched. ‘Do you think we should probably get going…?’

‘Probably should.’

After fixing up the bill I walked Georgie out onto the street. ‘I’m this way.’ She gestured to her right.’

‘I’m this way,’ I said pointing left. Several beats of smiles and awkward silence passed. ‘Well…’ I rubbed nervous hands together. ‘Maybe drinks and dinner next time…?’ I said, nervously.

‘I’d like that…’

Following a kiss on her cheek and an undertaking to call her later, we parted company. For the second time in as many days I could not wipe the smile etched into my face as I strolled to my car.