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“Dana.” Robby said and nodded his head toward the ambulance bay. “Do you have a minute?” It was getting towards the end of the shift and things were settling down. He'd been wanting to talk to Dana all shift but he had to do it without Heather noticing. Thankfully she was stitching up some drunk and that would take a bit.
“Yeah, I've got a minute.” Dana squinted at him and grabbed her sweatshirt. She couldn't quite get a read on his face but it didn't seem too bad otherwise he'd have pulled her away instead of asking.
Robby nodded with his hands shoved in his pockets and walked outside without another word. He walked over and leaned back against the planters looking at Dana as she walked out.
“Okay, Robby, what's the deal?” She crossed her arms and looked at him expectantly.
“I have a problem.” Robby had his head bend down but he looked up at her. “And you're the only one I can ask for help from. I can't ask Heather and I'm really trying to avoid bringing my mother into this.”
Heather, Dana thought, this must be a personal matter if he were using her first name. She knew that they had been dating, well everyone knew especially after a poor intern caught them kissing by the lockers and spread the news like wildfire. “So, I'm replacing your mother?” She asked.
“No, God no, I'm just trying to be discreet and my mother has the biggest mouth. Even if she just told her friends, it'd find its way back here.” Robby shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck.
“And Heather can't know because…” Dana asked rocking on her heels.
“It's about her. Well, no but yes. It's not anything bad.” He sighed and threw his head back taking a deep breath. “Look, this isn't easy.”
“Robby, I will not help you break up with that woman. You'd be better off quitting.” Dana said firmly.
Robby laughed with eyes closed head still thrown back. “Yeah, it's kind of the opposite problem.” He opened his eyes and lifted his head up. He shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged his shoulders. “I picked out a ring.”
“A ring? You're going to propose?” A wide smile spread across her face and if he didn't know better she would have hugged him.
“Yep, that's the plan.” He nodded his head.
“How are you going to do it? What's the ring look like? I'll do whatever you need.” Dana told him quickly and squeezed his arm.
“I don't know how. I don't know when. I just picked out the ring. I think I did a good job.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket. He pulled up a picture of the ring he'd picked. It was silver with a round 2 and a half carat diamond in the middle with ribbons of diamonds wrapped around it. It was simple but enough. He'd spent hours looking and sneakily going through Heather's jewelry to find the perfect one.
“Oh, Robby, that is gorgeous!” Dana took the phone and looked at it closer. “Look at that diamond!”
“You don't think it's too much?” Robby asked hesitantly.
“No, no, that's beautiful.” Dana smiled and patted his back. “What do you need help with?”
“This is embarrassing because I've gotten this far but…I have no idea what size ring to get. It's not like I can ask Heather because she'll know. I've been successful in not letting her know so far.” Robby put his phone away and looked at Dana. “She has a few rings but she doesn't wear them often and I don't think she wears any on her ring finger.”
“You came to the right person.” Dana nodded taking her job very seriously. “I can get you that ring size by the end of the shift.”
“Seriously? And you don't think she'll be suspicious?” Robby worried.
“Don't underestimate me, Robinavitch.” Dana patted his arm. “Just make sure that I'm one of the first ones you tell after you ask.”
“Will do, captain.” Robby gave her a weak salute. “Thank you.”
“Of course. I'm so happy for you both.” Dana gave him a side hug.
“She hasn't said yes yet.” He reminded her.
“Like she'd ever think of saying no.” Dana gave him a gentle push before walking back into the ER coming up with a game plan.
–
It was about an hour after Robby’s request that Dana put her plan in action. Lucky for him, she had just gotten her wedding ring cleaned which was the perfect opportunity to talk about rings. The best way to sell it was to start by talking with the other nurses. They loved to get everyone distracted and if she showed off her ring, they'd obviously rope Collins into the conversation.
Dana finished the note she was writing just as Collins sat down to work on charting. Perfect. Dana opened the small ring holder she kept on her badge reel and removed her ring. “Princess, look at this.” She turned to the younger nurse.
“My anniversary was a few weeks ago and my hubby got my ring cleaned for me.” She held it out to her.
“Ooo, look at that!” Princess took the ring. “What do I need to do to get a ring like that?”
“Threaten to leave him.” Dana teased with a shrug. “Diamonds were a lot cheaper back then.”
“What was it a dollar per carat?” Perlah walked over and looked at the ring in Princess’s hand.
“Hey, I'm not that old! Al spent a good amount on that ring!” Dana said and noticed Heather smile from where she sat. The bait was set.
“It's beautiful.” Perlah took the ring and slipped it onto her own finger. “I could borrow this to get my mother to stop nagging.”
“Hm, perfect fit!” Dana cheered internally. Her plan was going perfectly.
“Yeah, I've got tiny hands.” Perlah examined the ring. “Collins, what do you think? Too flashy?” She turned and held her hand in front of her computer screen.
Collins reached up and turned her hand side to side to look at the ring. “A bit flashy for my taste.” She admitted.
“That's what they all say until you put it on.” Dana commented. “Try it on, Collins. It might change your mind on the flashiness.”
“I don't want to get it stuck on my finger. I'd hate to have to get it cut off.” Collins said trying to go back to work.
“Nonsense, that's a 7. It's a little looser after all of these years.” Dana waved her hand. “Perlah, give it to Collins.”
“I usually wear a 6 and a half.” Collins said and gave in when Perlah dropped the ring in her hand.
“See, we probably have the same size fingers!” Dana watched as Collins slipped the ring on her finger twisting it a bit. “How's the fit?”
“A little loose like you said.” Collins said as Perlah grabbed her hand to look at the ring on it.
“You're right, Dana, it doesn't seem as flashy when it's on.” Perlah said and Princess nodded in agreement.
“It's still not quite my taste.” Collins looked at the gold ring on her hand and stopped herself from imagining what her own wedding ring would look like.
“Good thing it's my taste.” Dana smiled and reached over slipping the finger off of her hand. “I was quite the flashy lady in the 80s. You should have seen my hair.” She changed the subject as her mission was completed.
Later on, just as the shift was ending Dana walked past Robby in the hall. She grabbed his arm and leaned closer. “6 and a half.” She whispered in his ear before she kept walking.
Robby was confused at first but couldn't help but smile as he realized what she was talking about. “You're a miracle worker, Dana.” He said as she walked away.
“I'm here all week!” Dana called back.