“Nothing, dear."
“Why did I bother asking you? I know what to do. Bye, Licia. Take care of you.”
I smiled, “fine. Bye.”
As I hung up the call with Melony, Kevin’s call came in almost immediately, sending shock waves down my spine. Seems like he had been trying to reach me while I spoke with Melony.
I ignored it and dropped the phone on top of the drawer. I wasn’t mentally prepared to see or talk to him yet.
What was I even supposed to say, to begin with? I was afraid to admit that the kiss ignited a spark I thought had died off.
I finally mustered the strength to drag myself to the bathroom. Probably, a warm bath would do the trick, I reasoned.
There was no escaping what happened the previous evening, I mulled, as the water slowly trickled down my body. But… I could stall having to face it for a while.
Kevin kept calling and even texted me a few times, but I didn’t return any of it. For one, I was grateful that he didn’t know where I now lived. He may have tried to come in person.
I know I was probably going about things the wrong way by avoiding him, but I didn’t know a better way out of my quagmire.
***
I arrived at the hospital earlier than my usual reporting time the next day. I needed to speak with Dr. Shepherd before he got busy with the administration of the day.
He was an early bird, so I tried to be there before him.
Melony’s shift was in the afternoon, so no one was going to talk me out of what I had proposed to do. My mind was beyond being made up.
I changed into my scrubs and went to the lounge close to the entrance of the hospital to wait. I couldn’t afford to miss him, so I mounted guard, biding my time.
Thirty minutes later, Dr. Shepherd strolled in, cheerfully waving and exchanging pleasantries with some of the hospitalstaff. I immediately accosted him, readying myself for the task ahead.
“Chief, I would like to have a word with you, please…”
“Okay.”
“In private.” I blurted, without a second thought. I had just crossed the Rubicon, and there was no going back.
His smile disappeared. “Michaels, what’s the challenge? Heard you weren’t too strong yesterday? How are you feeling today?”
“I am good, Sir. Thanks for asking.”
“Very well then… Let’s head to my office.”
He led the way, and I followed behind, going over my speech one more time in my head. I was trying so hard to convince myself that I wasn’t making a rash decision.
“How’s Kevin Brown, though?”
“Actually, he is the one I want to talk to you about.” I responded calmly, weighing his reaction.
“Michaels, I am listening.” He said, easing himself into his black leather swivel seat once we entered his pristinely clean office. “Did he develop any complications?”
I cleared my throat, “No, Sir. He is in great condition. I just want to resign from being his home nurse.”
His brows furrowed in a frown. “Not again, Michaels. I thought we were over this a long time ago. What’s the reason this time? Are they giving you trouble there?” He probed further.
I understood his frustration; we couldn't be going over the same subject time and again.
“Not at all, Sir. Working with the family has been amazing, but I am resigning for personal reasons.” I tried elucidating, hoping I sounded convincing enough.
