“Do you like this?”
Another week had passed,and I sat across from Patrick and our nursing director, Nancy. The day the incident between Patrick and me happened, she called two hours later, letting me know Patrick had reached out to her. She was going on a six-day vacation and told me I’d have to stay out on leave until she returned to discuss the incident. Now that she was back, all three of us were sitting down discussing what had taken place.
At first, I looked forward to the conversation, but I felt thrown off my high wave of confidence. However, after seeing Jakeem in the mall last week, I hadn’t been myself. The trauma of everything that involved him weighed on me heavily. I’d spent less time with Jabari and more time at home looking forpotential jobs. My career and my family were my comfort zone. It was the only thing I could control.
“Miss Amina, thank you for joining us today,” the director, Nancy, stated with a smile.
Nancy was an older lady who knew her shit. She didn’t play favorites and maintained a professional relationship with all her staff.
“Thank you for having me.”
She looked at Patrick. “Thank you for joining as well.”
He didn’t reply. He just smiled at her. I’d yet to make eye contact with Patrick. I was still pissed off, so it would take a lot for me to even say two words to him.
“It’s my understanding that you both got into a disagreement. One thing about this unit is that we have to be family. Our patients are depending on us, and we need to have clear minds and respect for each other,” Nancy reminded us. “I’ve heard both versions of what occurred between you two.”
Patrick sat up straight in his seat as if he had won the lottery. I rolled my eyes. He had a complex where he thought everyone would take his side, no matter the situation.
“I’ve also talked to some of the nursing staff.”
Nancy looked at Patrick with stern eyes, causing him to sit back in his seat slowly.
“I talked to a witness who was on the unit and heard what all went down, and I’ve also spoken with other staff members, asking how the unit is and what does or doesn’t work. To my surprise, things are not working well here. There are a lot of miscommunications and many personalities that do not mix.”
“Well, I feel—” Patrick started, but Nancy cut him off.
“That wasn’t an opening for questions, comments, or concerns.” Nancy shot another look at Patrick.
“Sorry.”
“Now, since all this is going down, I’ll take place as the charge nurse of the unit for the next couple of weeks, to weed out what’s going on here and figure out what the root cause of the things I’m hearing.”
She adjusted her glasses before looking at me. “Miss Amina, you are more than welcome to come back. However, I believe an apology to your team members is warranted. Not because of your reaction to how he treated you but because you left them that day. You might not see it, but your skills bring a lot to this unit.”
I didn’t mind having the time away from Patrick and the hospital. It gave me time to rest and get myself together. However, I was happy Nancy didn’t fire me. I missed my patients, and at the end of the day, I loved what I did.
“Yes, I will make it my business to apologize to them. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“I get it. Our emotions tend to get the best of us sometimes, especially when someone is hounding you.” She looked at Patrick. “You owe Amina an apology for only doing her job. Y’all may have assigned patients, but every patient that enters the hospital is everyone’s patient. Do you understand?”
Patrick nodded. He hesitated for a few more seconds before he faced me for the first time.
“Amina, I apologize for my behavior that day.”
I nodded, but I didn’t accept his apology. At the end of the day, I was a grudge holder, and it would’ve taken him to move mountains before I forgave him.
“Great, now Amina, I need you here bright and early for your shift. Patrick, you will be a regular nurse starting tomorrow. Does anyone have questions?”
“No, ma’am.”
I could tell Patrick was not happy with Nancy removing him from his role as charge nurse. He had an angry look on his face.He tapped his foot rapidly as he chewed on his lip. A part of me wanted to laugh, but I kept my composure.
“Even better. See you both tomorrow and have a good night.”
I stood from my seat and sped out the door. I didn’t want to walk beside or ride in the elevator with Patrick. The situation was done and over with, but I didn’t think I would see Patrick as someone who really meant an apology. He only did that because Nancy was on his ass.
Once I made it to my car, I pulled out my phone. I had a couple of missed calls from Danita, Gio, and Jabari. Lately, I’d been keeping a bit of space between Jabari and me. After the run-in with Jakeem, I fell back into my corner. My heart was guarded again, and my beliefs were brewing back in my brain. So instead of calling him, I called Danita. After the second ring, she answered with attitude in her voice.
