A glance at Alex’s sour expression made Laurel want to hush the boy. Did Alex think she’d suggested Johnny make his offer? She swallowed a lump of French toast. “I think she’s a bus helper.”
Johnny grinned. “Then you be one.”
Alex pushed his chair back. “Speaking about buses, you’re going to miss yours.” He turned to Laurel. “I’ll meet you at the car in five minutes.”
“I’ll be there.” She was glad her voice showed none of her emotions. She would miss the afternoons with Johnny but much more time here would only increase the attachment.
Ten minutes later, she and Alex were on the road to town. Silence lay like a heavy blanket between them.
Alex glanced at her. “How do you plan to get home? You’ll have to stay late if you wait for me.”
“I’ll find a way.” If Alex didn’t resent her money, she could tell him about the plans that were grounded in reality. He would never follow her fantasy script.
Alex parked in front of the bank. “If Jenessa won’t bring you home, stop by the office. You can take the car and come back for me.”
“Thanks.” She opened the door and got out. “See you at dinner.”
Twenty minutes later, after signing her name a dozen times, she smiled at the bank president. “I hope to buy a car this morning. Could a bank check be arranged and brought to the dealership?”
Mr. Billings smiled. “Just have them call with the figures and the information I’ll need for insurance.”
“Thank you again.”
“A pleasure.”
Outside the bank, Laurel stood on the sidewalk. A sense of purpose that had been missing since her fevered flight from India filled her thoughts. With a soft laugh, she headed down the street to the car dealership. In the showroom, she paused beside a dark blue sedan. After reading the sticker information, she slid behind the wheel. Perfect. The car whispered of security and stability, the things she’d always craved.
As she closed the car door, a portly man rose from behind one of the desks. “Nice car,” he said.
Laurel nodded. “It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. How do I make arrangements?”
“Follow me and we’ll deal with the paperwork.” He showed her to a chair at his desk. He pulled out a folder and began asking questions. His pen poised over the paper. “Are you currently employed?”
“I’m interviewing at the hospital this morning.”
He closed the folder. “Come back after you’re hired and we’ll talk.”
She rose. “I had intended to pay with a bank check.”
He looked around the deserted showroom. “This some kind of joke? Where’s the camera?”
“Call Mr. Billings at Eastlake Bank. He said you’d need to give him the total cost plus the information for insurance. If possible, I’d like to have the car this morning.”
He closed his mouth and reached for the phone. “Mr. Billings, please. Bob Karnes of Karnes Motors.” He looked at Laurel. “I’ll need to see a current driver’s license.”
After ten minutes on the phone, Bob Karnes wiped his brow with a handkerchief. He shook Laurel’s hand. “You have a car. I’ll have the service department check it at once. Be a half hour or so before it’s ready to go. That all right with you?”
“Perfect.” Laurel turned and saw Mr. Billings striding across the showroom.
“As promised, Miss Richmond. I have the check and the insurance card is on the way. You’ll need to write a check to the Forbes Agency in this amount.” He handed her a slip of paper and turned to Bob Karnes. “Don’t you wish all your sales were this easy?”
“You’ve got that.”
Laurel rose. “Thank you both. Mr. Karnes, I’ll see you in half an hour.” She hurried to the door. Next a house. Though she didn’t expect to find one as quickly as she had the car, she had high hopes.
Forty-five minutes later, she drove the new car to the hospital. The realtor had promised to complete a list of houses and set up appointments for Laurel to see them. Now for a job, she thought as she found a parking place in the visitor’s lot.
For several minutes, she studied the red brick building and remembered the days she had worked here while earning her degree at Grantley. Busy days filled with excitement, sadness and joy. She brushed aside thoughts of her recent stay and the fantasies she’d woven.
She smoothed the skirt of her suit and headed up the walk to the main entrance. Inside the door, she stopped and looked around the lobby that had been remodeled since her student days. Tubs of ficas trees were scattered between low black couches and white tables. A guard blocked access to the elevators.
He looked up from his newspaper. “Can I help you?”
“Laurel Richmond. I have an appointment with Mr. Bradshaw at eleven.”
He checked a clipboard. “Go right up. Take the elevator to five and turn right. Someone in the Nursing Office will take you from there.”
“Thanks.” Laurel felt an uncomfortable flutter as she stepped into the elevator. Would there be a job for her? Unlike most of her classmates, she hadn’t worked in a hospital since graduation. She wasn’t sure she could handle an eight hour shift on a med/surg unit or one of the specialty units. The skills that had been honed during her years with IHRM were quite different from those needed in a hospital.
The elevator doors opened and she entered the Nursing Office. The secretary led her down a narrow hall and tapped on the door at the end. “Mr. Bradshaw, your eleven o’clock is here.”
When Laurel entered, Eric Bradshaw rose. The tall, blond man looked more like a football player than a nurse.
“Laurel Richmond, I’ve heard a lot about you.” He shook her hand and indicated the chair in front of the desk.
She smiled. “Don’t believe everything Jen or Megan says.”
“I don’t. Jen says you plan to settle in Eastlake. Do you mind my asking why? Your job with IHRM sounds fascinating.”
She nodded. “It was, but I decided I was tired of relocating on an instant and working twenty hour days.”
He sat behind the desk. “Are you up for a challenge?”
“Depends on what and where.”
“As you’ve heard, the direction of nursing practice is changing. Hospital admissions are down and those admitted are sicker. Eastlake Community is more fortunate than many hospitals but changes are needed here. I’d like you to take a newly created position in the Emergency Department as triage nurse and clinical specialist.”
Laurel looked up. “I’ve certainly had enough triage experience, but without a Master’s, how can I qualify as a specialist?”
“Go back to school.”
“Won’t some of the nurses already working in the ED think this smacks of favoritism?”
“None of them have your type of experience. Right now, the ED works on a first come basis. There have been several near disasters lately. The Board supports the creation of the position. Ever since Megan said you were coming home, I’ve been thinking you’d be right for the job.”
Laurel raised an eyebrow. “And the nurses and doctors?”
He chuckled. “The doctors, who knows. The current nurse manager is cool to the idea, but she’s slow to accept change. If you’d rather, there are several openings on the med/surg floors.”
“I’ll give triage a shot.”
“Great.” He handed her a folder. “Fill out these forms. I’ll make copies of your credentials and call down for Mary Karnes, the nurse manager.”
Laurel frowned. Was the woman related to the car salesman? “When do you want me to start?”
“How about last week?”
She laughed. “How about in two weeks? I have to find a place to live.”
“There’ll be a vacant apartment across the street in a couple of months. Jen and I are waiting for a mortgage to be approved.”
She rested her elbows on the desk. “I plan to buy a house and be settled before I start work.”
“In two weeks. Good luck.”
“Just who do you know?”
“My guardian, the Mellwood Bank.”
He walked to the door. “Someday you can explain.”
Laurel reached for a pen and filled out the forms. She had just finished when Eric returned with a tall, reed-thin woman. Laurel rose.
“Mary Karnes, Laurel Richmond. Laurel will be taking the triage position.”
Hostility radiated from the woman’s eyes. Laurel swallowed. “I’m pleased to see you again. We worked in the ER five years ago when I was at Grantley.”
“Emergency Department is what they call it these days.” A slight thaw softened Mary Karnes’ angular features. “While I don’t see the need for your position, I’ve agreed to give it a trial.”
“Thank you,” Laurel said. “Tell me a little about the normal flow of patients and how disasters are handled.” She listened to Mary’s presentation and nodded. The ER sounded more like the clinic in India than a place for true emergencies.
“Of course we have our share of motor vehicle victims, though many of the patients are stabilized and taken to one of the city hospitals.”
“Something I’d like to see changed,” Eric said.
“Isn’t that up to the doctors?” Mary asked. She turned to Laurel. “Just what do you think you can add to the department?”
Laurel hesitated for several minutes. “I’d like to spend several days working before I answer that. Since mine is a new position, I’ll write a job description for you to amend.”
A hind of a smile touched the corners of Mary’s mouth. “A sensible idea. I’ll see you in two weeks.” She strode to the door.
Laurel turned to Eric. “Thanks, I think.”
He grinned. “Challenge number one. She’ll come around in time.”
Laurel gathered her credentials. Maybe Mary was challenge number two. The first would be working where she might encounter Alex every day.
Jenessa barreled into the room. “Are you finished? I’m starved.”
“She’s yours,” Eric said.
“What was Mary Karnes so upset about?”
“Yours truly,” Laurel said. “She doesn’t see the need for a triage nurse.”
“She wouldn’t. Congratulations.” Jenessa headed out the door. “Come on or we’ll never get a table.”
“Your car or mine?” Laurel asked.
“When?”
“This morning.”
Jenessa grinned. “Let’s race. See you at the Hot Doggery.”
*****
Jenessa waved from a booth in the rear of the restaurant. Laurel made her way down the narrow aisle between the booths and the counter. “Speed demon.” She slid into the seat facing the door. The high backed bench that separated the booth added to the privacy. The wide planks of the floor, though clean, showed the wear of heavy traffic. “It hasn’t changed. Now I know I’m back.”
“I ordered,” Jenessa said. “Two chili dogs, salad, fries and iced tea. I figured you’d want your usual.”
The waitress arrived and put plates on the table. Laurel reached for a hot dog smothered with chili. She inhaled, took a bite and sighed. “You have no idea how often I’ve dreamed of food like this.”
Jenessa shook her head. “I don’t believe you. What about all the exotic food you’ve sampled?”
“Believe me, this is better. I learned not to question the identity of the meat I was served.”
“That bad?” Jenessa lifted a hot dog. “Do you think you’ll like being tied to one place?”
“It’s what I crave.”
“Will you miss any of the people you worked with?”
Laurel shook her head. “Working sixteen plus hours a day left little time for friendships.”
“What about the doctor Megan mentioned?”
Laurel looked up. “Neil Bourne didn’t decide he couldn’t live without me until he learned about the trust fund.”
Anger flashed in Jenessa’s eyes. “Foolish or greedy?”
“Neither. Just a man with a cause I didn’t share.”
“So what’s happening with Alex?”
Laurel chewed her food and swallowed. “Nothing there for me either. Rhonda soured him on women, especially ones with inherited money.”
Jenessa signaled the waitress. “We’ll have strawberry shortcake for dessert.”
The woman stared at the number of plates on the table. “Sure wish I could eat like that.”
“Metabolism,” Jenessa and Laurel said.
Once the waitress left, Jenessa leaned forward. “Back to Alex. Why not fight for what you want?”
“He has no room in his life for a relationship.”
“What brought that on?”
“Don’t ask.” Laurel reached for the iced tea glass. How could she answer when she didn’t know why Alex had kissed her and then pushed her away?
“By the way, there are a lot of boxes addressed to you in care of Megan in the lobby.”
“Great. That’s my next stop.”
When they finished dessert, Laurel grabbed the check. She paid the bill and followed Jenessa to the apartment building.
After the boxes were stowed in the car, Laurel waved. “See you soon.”
“Eric and I will have you and Alex over for dinner.”
“Don’t push.” Laurel put the car in gear. Home, she thought and immediately corrected herself. Alex’s house would never be home.
*****
Alex leaned against the wall and leafed through the chart of his last patient of the day. The courthouse clock chimed five times. He entered the examining room. A grin had replaced Bob Karnes’ usual grim expression.
“How are you feeling?” Alex asked.
“Like I won the lottery. Bet my pressure’s down.”
“Let’s see.” Alex wrapped the cuff around Bob’s arm. 145/88. Better, but not good enough. I see you’ve gained five pounds.”
“Aw, Doc, treated myself today. Let me tell you what happened. This pretty young woman came into the show room, picks a car, calls the bank and Billings himself comes to deliver a bank check for the full amount.” He shook his head. “Laurel Richmond. That’s one name I won’t forget.”
“I imagine not.” Alex made some notes on the chart. “Stick to your diet. Ten pounds by next month. Cut down on the cigarettes and take your medicine.” He walked to the door.
In his office, Alex closed the door. Darn. Bob’s story had reminded him of what he had almost forgotten. Laurel Richmond was an heiress, just like Rhonda.
A car. She’d bought a car and paid cash. Would she be at the house when he arrived? Would he have to explain to Johnny why another woman had abandoned him? He gripped the chart. Laurel had bought a car. Probably low slung and foreign. Flashy and with a price tag to match. In his imagination, he watched her drive away, taking a huge chunk of his heart with her.
*****
As Jake carried the last of the boxes into the suite, Johnny tugged on Laurel’s hand. “Where’s my surprise?”
“Patience. Let me find the right box.” She slid two cartons into a corner of the room.
“Let’s open them all.”
Laurel hunkered down beside him. “I can’t unpack everything since I’d have to pack them again.”
He thrust out his lower lip. “Thought you live here now. You tell Auntie Megan you was going to stay forever.”
“In Eastlake, honey. I need to find my own house.”
“Why? You could live with Daddy and me. Mrs. Rodgers said you was no trouble. Please stay.”
Laurel found the box marked “Dolls and etc.” “I can’t, but I’m not leaving today or tomorrow. Just think when I move, you can come to visit me.”
“And sleep over like I do at Auntie Megan’s?”
“If your father lets you. I’d like that very much.”
She pulled tape from the box and began to remove the dolls she’d collected in the various cou
ntries where she had worked for IHRM.
Johnny opened one of the packages. “What a funny dress.”
“She’s from Japan. In one of the other packages is a Japanese warrior, a Samurai.”
“Is he my present?”
“No, but this is.” She placed a bulky package on the floor.
Johnny tore the paper away. “Wow. Elephants. Why are they green ‘stead of gray?”
“They’re carved from jade.”
One by one, he lifted the elephants and examined them. He looked up. “They’re a family. A daddy, a mommy and three children.”
In his eyes, she caught a glimpse of the same yearning for a family as she felt. She put her hand on his shoulder. When she heard a rap on the door, she turned. “Alex, come in.”
For an instant, she thought his expression mirrored Johnny’s, but whatever she’d seen vanished quickly. Johnny jumped up and ran to his father. Tears welled in Laurel’s eyes. Shards of envy stabbed her. She had no memories of being held in a father’s arms. She would never know if she had been as loved as Johnny. Her memories ended in a scream and a shattered car.
“Look what Laurel gave me.” Johnny scrambled free and picked up one of the elephants. “There’s a whole family.”
“They’re wonderful. Did you thank her?”
“And I hugged her.” Johnny picked up the other elephants. “She has dolls, even boy ones. When she has her own house, she says I can sleep over. Can I?”
“We’ll talk about that another time. Right now, we’re late for dinner. Sarah’s grumbling.” He took the elephants from Johnny and smiled at Laurel. “See you at the house.” The screen banged.
Laurel felt as though a cloud had covered the sun. Before long, she’d be in her own house -- alone. But she had been alone for most of her life. She put her regrets aside and walked to the kitchen door.
Sarah stood at the counter. She held the phone. “I’ll tell her.” She turned. “Wait a minute, she just came in.” She handed Laurel the phone.
“Hello.”
“Anne Sutton here.”
“Any luck?” Laurel asked. “Really...Sounds good... Yes, I would. Monday will be fine...I’ll see you with check in hand.”
Minor Opposition Page 7