AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It was difficult to really lay out the issues, seeing as I couldn’t talk about the drug dealing, the gun running, or the murder and mayhem. That hadn’t stopped. We lived in a compound because we had to move out of the apartment after a shootout. The Serbians came looking for revenge for Anto Radic in spite of the fact thatheorchestrated the shootout that killed him.
So we moved into the compound, and not only did my grandmother have a cottage but her ‘butler’ was a bodyguard, and the houses were surrounded by homes owned by Alexei’s lieutenants. It wasn’t possible for outsiders to drive down the street uninvited. It was a fortress.
A fortress where Bratva families might ride their bikes safely in the street. Now these families looked to me as some sort of matriarch, and I didn’t know if I was equal to the task.
I wanted to be, though.
“I guess sometimes I just feel intimidated by it all. This is my first real relationship, I think. My parents were such poor role models. I don’t know if I know how to do this.”
“Well, you’re here, in therapy, working on all of this. It’s a step in the right direction.”
“Yeah, I guess it is.” I smiled at her because it was the thing to do.
She leaned back. “Tell me about work.”
“What about it?”
“How is it going? Are you getting along with your supervisor?”
“Well, yes. At least she’s got nothing to complain about. I arrive on time. I do my work to the best of my ability.”
“Has she forgiven you for dating a trustee yet?”
I snorted. “I doubt she’ll ever forgive me for that. I guess she thinks I played her in some way. I don’t know.”
“But how is the work environment? Prospects for promotion? What are you looking for there?”
“I just want to be the best nurse I can be. I’m looking to transfer to oncology anyway, so I’ll be out from under her soon. I think we’ll both be happier.”
“Okay. Why oncology?”
I just looked at her and smiled. “Kinda obvious, isn’t it?”
“You want to feel you have some control over your grandmother’s care?”
“Partly. But also just sitting with her there and realizing how much of an impact the nurses have on the patients’ lives gives me a new motivation, and I just want to do my part.”
“That’s very noble of you.”
I shrugged uncomfortably. “Not really. After Celia’s death and the ‘survivor’s guilt’, I just feel like I need to justify my existence.”
Dr. Kelly raised her eyebrows. “It’s very insightful of you to recognize the source of your motivation.”
“Well, I’m notalwaysan idiot.”
She smiled just as the little timer dinged, and I could’ve sworn she looked relieved. “Well, Nora. I guess I will see you next time.”
I nodded, getting to my feet. “Yes, see you then.”
I walked out, closing the door behind me as I headed to the elevator. I dug out my phone and shot Alexei a text.
I’m done with mine. How was yours?
I was down in the lobby when he replied.
It went great!!!
I snorted, having learned to read his sarcasm by now.
