AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Karolyn lifted her lip and scrunched her nose. “I’m sure it’ll all be good.”
Stacey chuckled at the look on her face. “Yeah. You look so sure of that.”
“Seriously, I’m sure it’ll be fine.” Karolyn placed her hand on Stacey’s shoulders.
She stood and took a deep breath. “Well, I guess we’ll find out.” She waved as she headed for Nancy’s office.
“Hi, Stacey. Come on in.” Nancy met her as she was walking down the hall; she had water in her hand and stepped aside as Stacey followed her inside.
Stacey gave her a small smile. She tried to encourage herself as she entered. Be positive, and positive things will come.
“Take a seat and get comfortable. I’m sure Dr. Hensley will be here soon.” There were three oversized chairs facing each other in the middle of a well-decorated office. Stacey took a seat, and Nancy sat in the chair next to her. “How is Jacob? I haven’t seen him lately.”
“He’s good. Working hard and focused on getting a promotion,” Stacey answered while squeezing her fingers nervously.
“Good. How are you doing with this news? I know it couldn’t have come on a worse day for you. It was the fifth anniversary, wasn’t it?”
Stacey nodded and noted tears glistening in Nancy’s eye.
“I miss your mom. There’s not a Sunday that goes by that I don’t miss her alto voice next to me in the church choir. You know, Stacey, I haven’t seen you in church for quite a while.”
How could she tell her that she held God responsible for her parents’ death? Jacob had been trying to get her to go with him to church for years. He finally wore Kristen down, and she attended with him on most Sundays, leaving Stacey to drive alone to meet everyone at The Pizza Place afterward for their weekly lunch. Maybe one day, but she doubted it.
Luckily, she didn’t have to answer as Dr. Hensley entered the office. “Hi, everyone. Sorry I’m a little late.” She got comfortable in the last chair in the circle, across from Stacey. Again, she wore a suit skirt, black, with a white button up underneath. She had her hair in the same bun, pulled neatly back, with just a few hairs strategically out of place. She was pretty, yet frightening. Stacey couldn’t be sure if she was really that intimidating or if it was just the situation. She swallowed hard to calm her nerves and gave what she hoped was a positive and sincere smile.
“Hi, Stacey. Let’s get right to it. I understand that the closure comes as a shock, but as Ms. Trowder has said, we will do all we can to give you anything you need to help you find a new position. Your time here has been wonderful, and as your record shows, you’re a great nurse, and any hospital, or even department, would be honored to have you. I’ve read the questionnaire you submitted online. You want to stay in Labor and Delivery but want one of the smaller hospitals.” She shuffled some papers. And pulled one out of a folder and passed it to Stacey. “Here is a list of the Labor and Delivery openings within the city.” She also gave a copy to Nancy.
Stacey read the list. All these were great hospitals, but they were in the city. She really wanted to stay in a small town. She glanced around the room, her eyes pausing on pictures of Nancy’s family on a shelf behind the desk to stall for time.
“So, is there a hospital on there that you’d be interested in working at?” Nancy asked.
Stacey focused on the woman in front of her. “These are all great hospitals, and I’m sure they would be amazing to work for, but is there any in one of the towns close by? How about Tri -City Hospital or North Star?” Those are two hospitals in neighboring towns. Both were larger hospitals than County, but still had a small-town feel.
Dr. Hensley’s unfeeling dark eyes focused on her. “Ms. Kempt. You are one of the best nurses in this department; that is why we are talking with you first. We want to make sure you get the first pick. The best pick. All those hospitals are great hospitals, which you should be honored to work at. The smaller hospitals aren’t on the list because I feel they don’t have the facilities you need to allow you to bloom and grow as a nurse. You should be shooting higher. Some place that will give you lots of space to move up in your career.” Dr. Hensley paused.
Stacey held the gaze of the devil woman across from her. She really had some nerve.Move up in my career? Is this lady serious? Does she think there is no place to move up in a smaller hospital?
Dr. Hensley continued. “Please think hard about your choice and let us know by the end of the week.”
“Ummm, it’s Thursday.” Interrupted Stacey.
“Yes. Please let us know by the end of your shift Sunday.” Dr. Hensley stood, ending the meeting.
“I have Sunday and Monday off.”
“Well then, that gives you extra time. We need your decision Tuesday. Thank you for your time, but I’ve got to go.”
Sighing, Stacey stood and shook the woman’s hand, then turning to her boss, she pushed her shoulders back and nodded to Nancy. “Thank you for giving me the first choice. I appreciate the thoughtfulness. I’ll see you with a decision Tuesday.” Her lips pushed up slightly at the corners. She turned and walked out of the room with as much confidence as she could muster.
Stacey was fuming. That woman was rude. How dare she act all high-and-mighty. She might have a doctor in front of her name, but she wasn’t a medical doctor. What did she know about actual medical care? She acted like small hospitals weren’t worth her time, and Stacey was wasting it.
She needed a jolt of caffeine and entered the staff room, storming past Karolyn, who was putting on her coat. Stacey banged cups and spoons as she prepared her drink.
Karolyn froze. “I guess your meeting went well.”
Stacey’s eyes went wide. “Sorry. I just can’t believe that woman.” She filled Karolyn in on the meeting. “She is the coldest bitch I’ve ever met.”
“It’s okay, I promise. What do you say we go get crazy drunk.” Karolyn said as she buttoned her coat.
