“I just started at the theater, and I am supposed to assist Dr. Xavi with some surgeries all through the week.” That was a lameexcuse, but it was the best I could come up with at the moment. I needed to exaggerate my busy schedule.
“That shouldn’t be a problem. I can get him to pick another nurse to assist him while you are away. As of now, you are being reassigned.” He proffered, but that wasn't the response I was hoping for.
“Dr. Shepherd...” I tried wriggling my way out of the situation again.There was no harm in trying, right?
“Licia, I don’t think you understand what's going on here,” he said tersely.
I didn’t mean to test his patience, but I was desperate to get out of this sick arrangement.
“I am not negotiating with you on this subject. I am only telling you what you are to do,” he posited sternly, with a note of finality in his tone.
My fate was sealed.
My countenance fell as I replied, “Okay, Chief,” like I had just received a sentence with no room to plead for mercy.
He turned to Dr. Henshaw, who had been standing quietly beside me the whole time. “Any objections on your end?” It was more of a dare than a question.
“Not at all, Chief,” Corbin Henshaw responded with a sickening smile that made me queasy. I felt like slapping the excitement off his face, but I understood Corbin's excitement.
Many nurses would jump at the offer to be that close to Kevin, but certainly not me. So why would Dr. Shepherd choose me? I wanted to be at arm’s length from Kevin… no, scratch that… I didn’t even want to be in the same space as him.
Heaven knows if I had my way, I would hightail it out of this town entirely until he was gone. He’d definitely leave after his recovery… back to his precious football and celebrity life.
“That’s more like it,” Dr. Shepherd smiled. “We need extra funds if we are going to avert some budget cuts this quarter…and Mr. Kevin Brown is already making some donations to the hospital. So, be on your best behavior, please. Mr. Brown needs the care, and we need the fat check that comes with it. Is that clear?” he stressed.
“Yes, Sir,” Corbin and I chorused. The two of us were operating at different tangents. He kept smiling sheepishly, but I was brewing inside. There was nothing amusing about this whole arrangement.
Before Corbin and I could step out of his office, Dr. Shepherd halted me with his words. “Licia, I'm counting on you. See yourself as the face of this hospital, and make me proud.”
I turned in his direction and nodded, “I will, Sir.” I don’t know if the vote of confidence was supposed to make me geared up and happy, but I only felt more pressure.
I considered turning back to tell Dr. Shepherd that Kevin and I had something in the past and that my personal feelings would not let me offer the best possible care, but how would that make me look?
I ambled towards Melony, who was eagerly waiting for me at the cafeteria after parting ways with Corbin.
She waved me over to where she was seated, munching away at her Turkey Waldorf salad. I took the seat opposite hers.
“Spill, Licia. Why did the Chief summon you and Dr. Henshaw?” Before I could answer, she interrupted, “Please don’t tell me you have been fired.” She held onto my hands across the table. “This place would be such a bore without you.”
“Take a chill pill, Mel. It's not that serious.” Should I have rather said it was the worst news I had ever received? She wouldn’t understand why being Kevin’s nurse was bad news, so I didn’t bother. “Besides, how did you know I was in there with Dr. Henshaw?”
She acted shocked at my question. “Have you forgotten that I have my eyes and ears to the ground? I keep abreast of thehappenings in the hospital. How else would I know that Dr. Fred and Nurse Alicia from the pediatric department went on their second date last week?”
“Why am I not surprised?” I chuckled.
She brightened up, “So what’s up?” she pressed, pushing a cup of chocolate milkshake to me.
“Thanks.” I appreciated her thoughtfulness. “I have been assigned to embark on home care with Dr. Henshaw.”
I wanted to make her dig for further information. Telling Melony everything without any form of suspense wasn’t fun.
“Who’s the client? Is it a VIP?” she asked eagerly. “Is it someone I know?”
I nodded, sipping some of the milkshake with a loud slurp. “Yeah.”
“Out with it already. The suspense is killing me,” she pleaded, making puppy dog eyes.
“Fine… it’s Kevin Brown.” I dropped the bomb and waited for her reaction, which I knew would be epic.
