Adult Status

23 years old,
Home after a hospital shift on my first rotation,
Third year has started.

       Neighbor girl knocks at my door,
       Sister is in charge and child is seizing.
       They ask me to take them to the hospital.

I am in medical school.
I am the adult.
Child is in status.

       We climb in the car and are off,
       But not to my hospital.
       Any third-year confidence I have is lost as I drive.

“Is she breathing?” I ask.
“I think so,” sister answers.
Am I breathing?

       We arrive to Emergency and I scoop the child in my arms,
       There is confusion during intake.
       Ten years sister’s senior, but we look less.

I am not their mother.
I am the adult.
What is her status?

       My hospital shoes are spotted.
       “Would you like to stay for this shift?” the attending asks.
       I decline.

23 months before I am a doctor.
For now, I am the adult.
That is my status.