Page 7 of Her Passionate Hero

“How’s Mizz A doing then?” Shorinda came closer to the bed. As soon as she did, she got a good look at Aliana and let out a screech. “What in the hell happened to you? My God, girlfriend, you’re tore up.”

“I was in a car accident,” Aliana said.

“You’re doing a shitty job of lying. You want to be believed, keep your eyes on me. Now, tell me the damned truth.”

Aliana kissed her mom’s hand and put it back under the thin blanket. “One of my former students got out of hand. He’s pissed I’m trying to lead his baby brother into a better life. He threatened Maminka if I didn’t stop trying to teach his brother.” Aliana bit her lip so hard, the coppery flavor of blood burst into her mouth. “I’ve got to go talk to your administration about moving Maminka to a different room. They knew she was on the bottom floor with the Jacaranda tree in front of her window. If they move her, they have to leave this room empty.”

“They’re going to kick her butt out, Honey. There’s not a chance in hell they’re going to want this kind of trouble lurking around.”

A quick flash of a guitar pick crossed her mind, and she forced it away. “I guess I knew that. It’ll take me a day or two to figure out what to do.” More than that if she was going to be honest with herself. It had taken her over a month to find such a good facility in the first place.

“Can I make a suggestion?” Shorinda asked.

“You’re going to whether I agree or not, aren’t you?” Aliana laughed wryly.

“I like that you’re smart,” Shorinda grinned. “I bet your mama was smart in her day. Here’s my suggestion. You don’t tell the administration shit. Let me just jimmy up one of the electrical plugs so this room can’t be used. Then we’ll move her. In the meantime, you get your ass moving to find her a new place. Me and the other nurses will ask around to the good homes and see if there’s any availability. How about that?”

“Seems to me, there’s a lot of smart in this room,” Aliana said.

“Sure is, glad you recognize it,” Shorinda grinned. “Now you work on your lying abilities. Tell me, is that your cop out there in the hall?”

“He’s not my cop.”

“So, he’s up for grabs? Because that sure looks like something I wouldn’t mind grabbing.”

Aliana choked on a laugh. She was going to miss Shorinda when her mother moved to another nursing home. “Would you like me to introduce you?”

“Honey, I see the way he’s looking over at this room. There isn’t a chance in hell he’s going to be interested in me. He only has eyes for you.”

“He’s just doing his job. And if he isn’t, I’ll get the message through to him.”

Shorinda eyed her and then sighed. “Yes, I suppose you will.”

***

“Officer Robinson, thank you for seeing me home.” Aliana held out her hand.

“I told you my name is Ernie.”

“Yes, well, let’s just keep it formal, shall we?” Aliana waited for him to take her hand.

“You’re stubborn.”

“Yes,” she agreed. He didn’t know the half of it.

“The offer still stands for me to pick you up tomorrow. I told you it’s my day off.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Aliana searched him for any sign of irritation, but instead, he looked resigned. Good.

“I’m going to call you on Monday to see how you’re doing.”

“Officer, that really isn’t necessary.”

“Expect a call, Ms. Novak,” he said with a smile. “Now I’m going to wait here until you lock your door.”

Aliana went inside her townhome, shut the door, and immediately locked it.

“I’ll call you on Monday,” Ernie called from the other side of the door.