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I thought I’d be listening to him speak, not racking my brain for answers I didn’t have. “I…I plan on being at the hospital.” That was a safe answer.
“In what capacity?”
“As an employee?” I replied.
His eyes widened, then he laughed. “Not a patient. That’s good to hear. But not exactly what I was looking for. I meant regarding your employment, your career. Do you want to remain a nurse? There’s no right answer here. Nurses are invaluable. I am just trying to gauge if I can be of any assistance in helping you achieve your goals.”
“I…love nursing. But are you saying that there are other opportunities for me here?” I asked.
“I’m saying that you have demonstrated dedication and skill for caring for the patients here. We need more people like you. If you are interested in continuing your education, we would be happy to fund it, as long as you are willing to sign a contract to use your skills here at that hospital after.”
“You mean, pay for me to go back to school?” I said, stunned.
“Yes. I know of a few programs that would be a perfect fit, but I wasn’t sure you’d be interested,” he replied.
“I…I would love to hear about them,” I stated. “But yes, whatever I learned would be used here in Tabiq. It’s my home. Helping my people is where my heart is.”
“I understand that feeling. But just so you know,” he said, softening his tone, “Sometimes those feelings change.”
“I will always want to help others,” I said firmly.
“I mean where your heart is. As you know, I’m from Ireland. I still love my home and my people. But my heart is now here with Reesa and the people of Tabiq,” he explained.
“You mean for now, right?” I asked.
“No. Since I’ve come here, and gotten to know the people, I have come to love Tabiq. It might not be my homeland, but it is home to me,” he said.
“I’m glad to hear that. Although I liked working for Dr. Henderson, I don’t think he ever felt like Tabiq was home. Maybe that’s because his wife wasn’t from here and stayed in the United States. I’m not an expert, but I hear long distance relationships are difficult,” I said.
“Very true. I imagine Logan is glad to be home. As for me, I couldn’t picture living apart from Reesa,” he said.
It felt odd talking about the president in such an informal way. “I’m sure President Florraz is glad you’re here as well.”
“I was talking to her about you last night.”
“You were? Why?” I asked.
“Because she knows your family and I value her opinion.”
My parents never mentioned knowing her, even though they spoke very highly of her and what she was trying to do in Tabiq. I’d have thought if they knew her personally, it was something they’d have bragged about. I wanted to ask them why they kept that a secret, but then again, I had secrets myself now.
“May I ask what you discussed?”
“As I said, we talked about the hospital and your role. There is a course beginning in two weeks that would allow you to be in the operating room during surgeries. If you’d like, I can give you the information, and you can look at it tonight.”
“Tonight?” I was hoping to spend time with Liam again, but since I hadn’t heard from him, that was feeling less likely. Besides, this was about my future, and Liam and I didn’t have one. He would be gone in a few weeks. I had really enjoyed last night, but for all I knew, that might have been the beginning and the end of it all.
“It’s short notice, but I would need to let them know tomorrow if you will be attending.” He handed me a folder with brochures and a stapled packet inside. “The course only lasts thirty days. You will not be assisting in surgery, but you will develop the basic knowledge of all the equipment used. It might not even be something you’re interested in.”
“Oh, I am. I’ve always wanted to be able to go into the operating room, but I understood I wasn’t yet qualified. I don’t have to read it to give you my answer. I’ll go,” I stated.
“I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I suggest you read the entire packet first. And also discuss it with your parents. My understanding is this would be your first time off the island.”
“Yes. But I’m not afraid to go.” Many people were still very hesitant about leaving. Their experiences with people from other countries hadn’t been the best. I’ve lived a very sheltered, protected life, but nothing bad has ever happened to me. I knew it was because of my parents and the timing of when I came of age. James Henderson had died, and his sons seem to have made it their life mission to right the wrongs he and our government had done to us.
If I was just a few years older, I might have been a victim of human trafficking like so many others here.
I couldn’t picture what it was like for them. Their first time was with people who had paid large sums of money to have sex with a virgin. There was no love, no feelings, nothing but…shame. My heart ached for them. No woman should ever be used, abused in such a manner. Even though Liam hadn’t known I was innocent, he showed me tenderness, and…pleasure. What I gave him I gave willingly. Nothing was taken from me.
