Posted by Crewman Kate Nightingale (Nursing Officer) in Mess Hall open

Posted by Major Stanley Wong (Professor of Psychiatric Medicine) in Mess Hall open

Posted by Crewman Kate Nightingale (Nursing Officer) in Mess Hall open
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Stanley had a spring in his step as he entered the mess hall. He was also sporting a smile as well as loose straight leg purple slacks with a matching pullover top which do to Stanley’s frame fit equally loose. He also sported a pair of bright orange deck shoes. He looked exceptionally relaxed as he approached the replicator. He somehow managed to talk the replicator into making him a nice plate of Chicken Marsala with mushrooms. A glass of Pinot Noir and he could be in heaven. Unfortunately, though all he could manage was a glass of replicated goat’s milk.

Nonetheless as he whistled a song to himself, he sat down at an empty table with a daydream of being in a small sidewalk restaurant perhaps somewhere a bit warm like Naples perhaps. Or maybe the Netherlands Antilles?

Dr. Stanley Wong.

Kate was just behind him as he was fumbling with the replicator ,she then ordered some soup and fruit .The nurse was looking around to see where the psychiatrist had sat and on seeing him made her way to the same table ‘’Mr Wong how are you ?’’ she asked in a pleasant manner ‘’Have not seen you much lately I thought you had left’’ .

Kate N.O

Stanley smiled up at the nurse and said in a relaxed happy voice,” Ah no I haven’t gone anywhere yet. And …” Stanley had thought to ask her how she was, but this seemed to be a trigger on this ship which sent people into a snarling defensive posture. “And well I have been well, I thank you for asking you’re so sweet! Won’t you have a seat?” Stanley had tossed out several lines of conversation that one might use in other conditions, but he had found that conversation on the Merrimac was much like walking through a swamp full of hungry alligators.

Dr. Stanley Wong (cautious guy )

‘’Thanks love ‘’ Kate responded back,then out of the blue asked ‘’Do you miss your family being so far away ?’‘.
Kate N.O

A small sad smile came across Stanley’s face for a moment which was soon replaced by sparkling eyes and a broad happy smile. He sighed and took a sip of his wine before speaking. “I do yes. But they always encouraged me to explore, and to push my horizons in both mind and body. My parents also instilled a strong sense of trying to help others. It has been a path they set me on which has led me to many places. Before coming here, I was getting far too sedate in my role as a practitioner-teacher. So here I am seeking new adventures, seeking to help others and perhaps to make a grand difference ”

She started on her vegetable soup but still gave him her full attention ‘’I understand that feeling of wanted to help others,I wanted to become a nurse since I can remember,a nurse has more contact with her patients then a doctor,we get to know them more ‘’.

Stanley laughed at himself then and said jovially, “Look at me carrying on! And you Kate? do you miss someone back home?”

Dr. Stanley Wong

The nursing officer thought for a moment ‘’I have no siblings, my father is deceased and mum decided to go to a home for the elderly.When I get the opportunity to see or speak to her she seems happy and is always telling me about her friends ‘’ now Kate put her spoon down and with a far away look went on ‘’In my mid twenties I fell in love with a man, before getting married he was sweet and treated me well but six months into our marriage he started showing his true self .Controlling ,jealous and when angry I became his punch bag,eventually I left and got divorced ‘’ she shrugged her shoulders ‘’Already a nurse and after much consideration I decided to join Star-Fleet and it was the best decision -making ‘’ now in silence she finished her soup .

Looking at Stan and blushing briefing ‘’Now in my early forties I do miss the absence of having a partner ‘’.

Kate N.O.

Stanley chewed and swallowed a piece of the savory chicken before speaking. ” Oddly enough Ms. Kate your story is not one which is rare I am afraid. All too often men and women both find people which are 99.9% of everything they had ever dreamed of in a mate. Naturally they assume that that’s as close as anyone could hope to get. And of course, they think that they can change another person enough to make them the perfect mate. ” Stanley laughed then and shook his head before taking a sip of his wine. Setting down the glass he smiled and shook his head as he finished by saying. All too often the person in question never stops to consider that because their future mate is in courtship mode that they are trying hard to impress. And when you figure these things into your equation. ” Stanley shrugged his shoulders and said, “Well when you get done your near perfect mate is now only about a perfect 80%. Stanley chuckled as he said,” I sometimes think that people should go back to arranged marriages. Lower expectations so that there is more room for pleasant surprises. “.

Kate laughed ‘’Yes there would definitely be some surprises especially when the bride catch her first glimpse of the groom for the first time in bed…say about thirty years older then her and repulsive! ‘’ she shook her head ‘’No it won’t be far on the bride, don’t you think Mr Wong?’’ the nurse asked.

Stanley nodded as Kate confessed that she missed having a partner Stanley could only get a faraway look in his eyes and nod his head as he agreed with her saying, “Yes regrets are something we all have at one point. All one can do is to make a life you are satisfied with, and not worry about what anyone may think of you. There comes a time in life when you must worry about yourself.” Stanley looked over at Kate and asked her, “And are you happy with your job on the Merrimac?”

Dr. Stanley Wong
“And are you happy with your job on the Merrimack?” .

‘’Oh most definitely!’’ she replied ‘’I climbed the ladder from a junior nurse to a Nursing officer ,had to study and work hard to reach my goal.The best part is mentoring other nurses from my own experience ,not to mention the satisfaction we get on seeing a patient getting better ‘’.

There comes a time in life when you must worry about yourself.

Now Kate lowered her head,she could no longer look at him ‘’Emm…I must apologize for running away to the bathroom the day we first met ‘’taking a deep breath she continued ‘’I sobbed my heart out in there....I fancy doctor Hunter not only because he’s handsome but he’s so kind and does his best to help.Unfortunately I wonder if he knows I exist ,actually its the same with all other crew females …I have to confess often wonder what it would be like to be held in his arms’’ though now Kate did her best not to go crying in the bathroom yet again.

Kate N.O

  Stanley nodded then as a story his father had old him as a young boy came to him. "Once my father told me a story. A man he knew had got into an accident and had crushed one of his fingers beyond repairing. The man forbade the doctors to remove it. The man was an artist you see. He claimed even if he could get just some small use out of the finger it would be better than not having the finger at all. "

“Well of course some weeks later just as the doctor predicted the finger developed a bad case of gangrene. The man still refused to allow the finger to be removed. For he feared to lose a part of himself. Finally, his family lawyer came to him in his hospital room and asked him what he wanted to leave his children in his will. A dead body, a dead finger or a live artist who could overcome his disability to pay his doctors and lawyers. ” Stanley laughed and spoke saying, “Needless to say the man in that instant saw the wisdom of cutting off the thing that he thought he needed so badly so that he could keep going and find happiness.”

Looking at the nurse then Stanley shrugged saying. “If something hurts it is merely something which needs to be removed so that you can live in happiness.”

Doctor Stanley Wong