Small Great Things

Ruth says that the most beautiful baby she's ever seen was born without a face. The student nurse shadowing Ruth screamed, so Ruth sent her away. The doctor explained to the parents that there was something seriously wrong while Ruth cleaned and swaddled the newborn. The mother cried as she held her baby while the father bolted. Ruth went after him and convinced the father to return and hold his baby.

Ruth explains that she knew that if the father didn't acknowledge what had happened, he'd slowly become hollow. The parents held their son for ten hours before he died, and Ruth was struck by the remarkable amount of love in the room. Ruth even brought the nursing student back in to make her see that love doesn't have anything to do with looks. Two years later, the couple had a healthy daughter.

Ruth says that when she had her son Edison, she was mostly worried about her hair. She says that it's perfectly normal for new mothers to worry about their appearance. Because of this, when she arrives for her shift at 6:40 am, she heads right for the room of her patient, Jessie. Jessie came to the hospital with her hair and makeup done, as well as stylish maternity clothes. She delivered a baby girl overnight. Jessie stirs and Ruth motions for her to be quiet as she offers her a mirror and lipstick. Last night, Jessie confessed to Ruth that her husband has never seen her without mascara. Jessie thanks Ruth and accepts the lipstick.

Ruth notes that there are three occupied rooms in the birthing pavilion. She meets Marie, the charge nurse, for their morning meeting and the two take bets on why Corinne, the second nurse, will be late today. They discuss their children and Ruth modestly refuses to take credit for Edison's good grades. She ignores Marie's comment that Ruth should be proud that "a boy like Edison" is doing so well, which Ruth knows refers to the fact that Edison is black. Corinne bursts in and explains that her tire had a slow leak. Ruth laughs as Marie throws a dollar at her. Then, Marie assigns patients: Corinne takes a woman in active labor, while Ruth gets Jessie and Brit Bauer, who delivered a boy earlier in the morning.

Ruth finds Lucille, the nurse who was with Brit Bauer during labor, in the staff restroom. Lucille gives Ruth the rundown on Brit and the baby, Davis, who has low blood sugar due to his mother's gestational diabetes. She then warns Ruth that there's something off about the dad, Turk.

As Ruth walks into the room, she introduces herself to Brit and asks the baby's name to start a conversation. Turk is hulking and seems on edge, and Brit looks to him before she answers Ruth's question. Ruth notices that Brit looks almost afraid as Ruth listens to Davis's lungs and heart. Turk stands up and towers over Ruth as she delicately explains that Davis might have a heart murmur. She checks his blood sugar, which has improved, and then scoops him up to bathe him. As Ruth bathes Davis, she inspects his body for any abnormalities and Brit and Turk whisper fiercely. They're strangely silent by the time Ruth wraps Davis up and puts on his ID band and security bracelet.

Ruth makes sure to smile as she hands Davis back to Brit and tries to help her position Davis to nurse. Brit flinches while Turk tells Ruth to back off and that he'd like to speak to her boss. Ruth nervously goes to Marie and explains that she did nothing wrong. Back in the room, Turk tells Marie that he doesn't want "that nurse" or anyone who looks like her touching Brit or Davis. As he says this, he pushes up his sleeves, revealing a tattoo of a Confederate flag.