A Different Divergent: A Better Tomorrow

~five~

Chapter 5

Christina is keeping Tyler and Tessa company in the waiting room while I sit on the cold metal table in a sterile examination room waiting on an infirmary nurse to take my blood pressure. I know they are short staffed since Erin and Dr. Young's arrests earlier this month so I don't know how long I'll have to wait. I hope I don't make us late for lunch. I do make a mental note of at least two jobs that will be on the available list for the initiates this year.

"Hi, Tris," Marlene says as she comes through the door into the spacious room. This is the first time I've actually seen her working as a nurse. She looks super cute in her bright orange scrubs.

"Hey, Marlene! How long have you been working here? I thought you still had more training to do at the hospital downtown?" She was only supposed to have six months of training but midway through her course load, protocols were changed, and nurses must now train for 12 months instead of 6.

"Dr. Parrish called the hospital a couple weeks ago and asked the instructors to release me," she says. "Apparently my grades were good enough by the old standards to let me start work early. I'm pretty thrilled about it. You and Four need to come to the cafeteria more often, and then you would have heard my news."

"You're absolutely right but it's been so difficult lately," I say. "We'll try harder to get down for at least lunches. As a matter of fact we'll be joining you today."

"That's great," she says. "Uriah will love to see Tyler."

"I hope he doesn't feed him too much cake," I say and we both laugh. I don't know who loves cake more, Uriah or Tyler. "I'm really glad you're here fulltime now. In case you don't know, I need my blood pressure checked for Isobel."

"Yeah, I read it in your chart," she says. "She also called in some additional tests early yesterday morning as well so not only do I need to do a blood pressure check, I need urine and blood samples." I know my face falls with this unwelcome news.

"Do you have any idea why?" I ask, somewhat concerned.

"No, I'm afraid I don't," she says. First, she takes my blood pressure, which she says is on the high side of normal. Next, she takes three vials of blood. I'm glad that it's a short walk to the cafeteria because I've already been dizzy this morning and don't need blood loss to make me pass out or something. Lastly, she gives me a specimen cup and lets me go to the bathroom. I come out after I finish and hand her the little plastic cup.

"Do you know when I'll get the results back?" I ask. "Do I have to wait for my next appointment?"

"How does she usually notify you of your results?" Marlene asks as she puts a seal on the specimen jar and sits it next to the three vials of blood.

"When I go to the clinic, she calls," I say. "When I come here, they're instantaneous."

"Well I don't see why these results would be any different than the ones you get when you're at the clinic but she didn't give me any other instructions I'm afraid."

"Okay," I say, nervously twisting my wedding rings again and again. She reaches out and places her hand over mine, and I look up at her.

"Try not to worry about things, Tris," she says.

"I know. It's not good for the baby," I sigh.

"It's not good for you either," she says patting my shoulder. "You're free to go. I'll see you in the cafeteria as soon as I get your samples to the lab." I get off the examination table and feel a bit woozy. Marlene notices, and puts her arm through mine and walks me to the waiting room, talking animatedly about the Candor or Dauntless game Saturday night. I had almost forgotten about that. Her excitement is contagious though, and now I can't wait. I thank her for walking with me, and she tells me to be careful on my short journey to the cafeteria.