by Marilyn Turk
She and the attendants moved to the door, and she scanned the dimly lit ward one more time. Assured all was calm, they left the room, remembering to secure the door again. She thanked the men, then took the cart with the supplies down to the utility room to wash them since procedure called for each stainless-steel needle and glass syringe be cleaned and sterilized before it could be used again. When she finished washing them, she wrapped them in clean cloth and sent them down a chute to Central Supply where they’d be sterilized in the autoclave the next day.
Lexie was exhausted when she finally sat down to write her report of the night. Her watch told her it was almost midnight again, and she still had an hour of paperwork to do. Today had been one of the longest days in her life, but she was thankful she’d made it through. When she considered the timing of all that had happened that night, she realized there were several “coincidences.”
First, that Happy Kathy’s reaction to Bertha had alerted Lexie just in time to keep the chair from hitting her. Then, she’d had enough time to get out of the room before Bertha got back up. And the emergency room wasn’t busy tonight, so she got help right away. No, she knew it was more than coincidences. Thank God, He was looking out for her, proving she had no reason to fear, just like He said.
Chapter Thirteen
“I’ve got my pass!” Penny waved the slip of paper in the air. “Now what am I going to wear?”
“Anything but this uniform,” said Lexie, as she hung hers up.
“I’m so excited!” Penny danced around the room in her slip. “Maybe I’ll meet Prince Charming tonight.”
“Maybe you will.” Lexie stood in front of the closet. “Eenie, meenie, minee, moe. Will it be blouse number one or blouse number two?”
“You mean, the white one or the white one?”
“One of them is cream colored, not white,” said Lexie.
“Big difference. But seriously, you look great in either one.”
“Okay. I’ll wear the cream one tonight. With the gray skirt.”
Penny held two dresses up by the hangers, one to either side of her. “Now you tell me—the dress with the flowers or the solid navy one?”
“Hmmm. The flowers are more fun.”
“Then flowers it is! I have no intention of being serious tonight.”
Lexie sniffed the air. “Do you smell smoke?”
Penny’s eye widened with fear. “You smell a fire?” She started sniffing the room and moved to their room door, which was kept open as required by the house rules. She stepped out into the hall and looked back and forth.
“No, it smells like cigarette smoke,” said Lexie. “It’s easy to smell here since nobody is allowed to smoke.”
“Well, you’ve got the nose. If someone around here has smoked recently, they’ll be in big trouble because it’s against house rules, you know.”
“I know. Wonder who it is?”
The two started guessing names of the possible culprits but didn’t believe anyone would jeopardize their standing in nurses training by breaking the rule. Ten minutes later, the housemother marched down the hall. “Who’s smoking?” When she stopped in front of Lexie and Penny’s room, they shrugged.
“We smelled it too,” Lexie said.
“Well, somebody better confess, or the whole floor will lose their privileges tonight.”
Lexie and Penny exchanged shocked expressions. They had to go to the dance. But thirty minutes later, no one had owned up to the offense, and the housemother restricted all the nurses from their floor to the residence for the evening.
Lexie was furious, but Penny was vindictive. “If I get my hands on the girl who did this to us, she’ll wish she hadn’t!”
“It really isn’t fair. We’ve worked hard all week for our privileges.”
“Are you going to call Russell and tell him we can’t make it?” Penny plopped down on the bed.
“I guess I better.” Lexie walked over to the door but put her hand on the door frame and stopped. Turning to Penny, she said, “Maybe I don’t have to.”
“What do you mean? He’ll be looking for us.”
Lexie put her finger in front of her lips and lowered her voice to a whisper. “I have an idea.”
When the housemother called, “Lights out,” Lexie and Penny complied. They climbed into their beds fully clothed and pulled the covers up to their chins. They waited until the matron passed their door, her flashlight sweeping the room as she did a bed check. When the girls heard her go back downstairs to the first floor, they stuffed the pillows under the covers so the beds looked occupied, then tiptoed down the hall to the back stairs. Lexie held her breath as they pushed open the side door, praying it wouldn’t creak. They quickly slipped out, hurried away from the building, and around the corner. Once a safe distance away, they trotted the blocks to Russell’s hotel and rushed through the lobby to the ballroom where throngs of servicemen had gathered for the USO dance.
Lexie spotted Russell at the piano beside the orchestra and hurried over. Penny stopped to chat with one of the servicemen.
“Hi, sweetheart.” Russell gave her a broad grin when he saw her. “I thought you’d be here earlier. Was afraid you’d been given a last-minute assignment.” He patted the piano bench, signaling her to sit beside him.
Relieved to catch her breath after the hasty walk to the hotel, Lexie eased onto the seat. While he played, she relaxed and let the rhythm of the song take control of her heartbeat. Watching Russell’s fingers fly over the keys always impressed her, and she marveled at his skill. She gazed at his face, admiring his strong cheekbones and square chin, and inhaled the scent of Old Spice aftershave on his smooth skin. He must have known she was staring at him because he glanced over at her with sparkling eyes and winked, his dimpled smile melting her heart as always. As her gaze traveled to his lips, she craved his kiss. A whole week had passed since they’d really kissed, and that was too long. She tucked her hand inside his elbow and squeezed, giving him a mini-hug. He hit a wrong note and laughed, then gave her another look, this time more intense.
He got the message because as soon as the song ended, he turned to her and engulfed her in his arms, leaning his face toward her and covering her mouth with his warm lips. She surrendered to his embrace, allowing herself to be immersed in the moment. She had no idea how long the kiss lasted, but the sound of a drum roll caught her attention, and she remembered where she was. She pulled away from Russell as the cymbals crashed. They both looked over at the band, who laughed and applauded. Lexie’s face flamed with embarrassment.
“Hey, can’t a guy kiss his girl?” Russell lifted his palms up. “And this isn’t just any girl. She’s my fiancée!”
“Looks like you two better go ahead and tie the knot,” said Artie Davis, the band leader.
Russell looked back at Lexie. “He’s right, you know. We should be able to kiss like that any time we want to—without an audience.”
If a minister had been in the room, Lexie would have gotten married right then. She was tired of waiting too. “I’d like that,” she said.
“So I guess we better set a date,” said Russell. “Have you any idea when that could be?”
Lexie shook her head. “No, not yet. But maybe it’ll be sooner than we thought if I can get my training accelerated even more.” Unless they got caught sneaking back into the residence.
The band leader began counting and signaled with his baton for the musicians to start the next song. Russell shot her a regretful look, then joined the song as the band began playing. Lexie glanced around the room, searching for Penny before spotting her on the dance floor, where she appeared to be having the time of her life. What if they did get caught going back? What would that do to Penny’s chances for graduation? Lexie began to worry. If they got into trouble, it would be her fault because it was her idea. What had she done? And what would happen to her? She’d already had one reprimand. It hadn’t hurt so far, but two reprimands would have greater consequences.
They couldn’t stay out too late, that’s for sure. But she hoped they’d stay long enough for her to get a chance to talk to Russell some more. She wanted a chance to tell him what happened in the women’s psychiatric ward. But first, she needed to let Penny know what time they’d be leaving.
Lexie turned to Russell. “I’ve got to tell Penny something.”
“Sure, sweetie. Don’t go far. After this number, we’re taking a break, and maybe you and I will have a chance to talk … privately.”
“I’d like that.” She smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek before leaving the piano bench.
When they finished the set, Russell stood and stretched, then scanned the room for Lexie. He spied her at the refreshment table and headed toward it. Boy, was he thirsty. He reached her side and eyed the cup of punch in her hand. She held it up to him, and he took a drink.
“Ahh. Just what I needed. Thank you.”
“Here, you take this one, and I’ll get another.” She reached for another one of the cups filled with red liquid. “Would you like some cookies? They’re pretty good.” She extended her arm toward trays of sweets.
“No, thanks. I’m just thirsty.” He looked around, then back at her. “Let’s get out of here a minute. It’s stuffy, and I need some fresh air. How about you?”
“Sounds good to me.”
Once outside, they walked a few steps around to the side of the hotel, away from the front entrance. Lexie leaned against Russell’s chest, and he put his arms around her. They stood in silence for a few minutes while Russell just enjoyed having his girl close to him. She sighed, and he put his finger under her chin and lifted her face toward him.
“Is something wrong, or are you just tired?”
“A little of both, I’m afraid.”
“Tell me.”
“Well, we … I mean I did something rather foolish tonight.”
Russell held her out at arm’s length and studied her face. “You? Do something foolish? I don’t believe it.”
“It’s true. Somebody smoked on our floor of the nurses’ residence today, and since no one owned up to it, the housemother canceled all the passes for those of us on the second floor.”
“So how did you get out?”
“We snuck out. I convinced Penny to pretend we were asleep for room check, then we went out the side door.”
“You didn’t!” Russell chuckled, and an old memory surfaced. “So the little girl who climbed out her window at the family cottage on Jekyll Island is still alive and well!” He couldn’t help himself from laughing out loud.
Lexie gave him a playful punch. “Well, it wasn’t fair. We weren’t the ones that were smoking. Besides, we’d earned our passes, and I wanted Penny to have a night out.”
“Now, now. Don’t get riled at me. I didn’t restrict you. Forget Penny—tell me you were just dying to see me and your lips were itching to kiss me.”
She pursed her lips, then a teasing smile eased across her face. “You think so?”
His pulse raced, and he fought to control himself. Aiming a steady look at her, he whispered, “I hope so.”
She lifted her face to his, and he accepted the invitation to kiss her. He pulled her close, one hand on the small of her back and the other grasping her head, his fingers delving into her soft tresses. He pressed his lips against hers, conveying his love and passion in the kiss. But the ramifications of what she’d told him came to mind, bringing him back to reality, and he reluctantly pushed her gently away. “You need to get back before it’s too late.” Lexie nodded, and he took her hand. “I have to get back inside, but I want to walk you home. How much longer can you stay?” Russell glanced at his watch.
“When does the dance end?” Lexie fidgeted with her pearl necklace, looking worried and conflicted.
“Ten o’clock. Most of these guys are shipping out tomorrow, so they can’t stay out too late.” He guided her inside the door. “We have one more set. I can walk you and Penny back after that, if you can wait.” Although it wasn’t unusual for women to be out unescorted in Manhattan, he wasn’t used to the idea, especially late at night, and particularly when it came to Lexie. Although she acted brave, he knew she still struggled with fear like she had before, even if not as much.
“All right. I’ll find Penny and tell her we’re leaving promptly at ten, just in case she has any idea of tarrying with some guy.”
Lexie waved at Penny across the room, but her roommate was so involved in conversation with a sailor that she didn’t see Lexie. The band started up again, and soon the dance floor was full of USO hostesses and GIs working off their last bit of energy. Lexie waited until the first song ended, then managed to get to Penny through the crowded floor.
She grabbed Penny’s arm to get her attention. “Penny, be ready to leave as soon as the band quits. We have to hurry back.”
Penny frowned and appeared annoyed at the interruption. She glanced at her dance partner who stood nearby, grinning from ear to ear. “So soon?” Then realization crossed her face.
“Russell’s going to escort us back to the residence.”
The sailor spoke up. “Hey, if you girls want an escort, I’m the man. Me and my buddy Frank’ll be glad to go with you.”
“Sorry, pal, you know the rules,” Lexie said, winking at Penny who looked confused. “You know we hostesses aren’t allowed to fraternize with you guys outside the dance.” Although they weren’t officially USO hostesses, it was convenient to use their rules as an excuse.
“Oh all right. Guess you gotta go by the book,” the disappointed sailor said.
“You still have time for a couple more dances, though, so enjoy yourself while you can.” Lexie said as the next dance started.
She headed toward Russell. But halfway across the room, her hand was grabbed by a young GI, who started jitterbugging with her. She started to walk away, then thought, “Why not?” and gave in to the urge to dance. During part of the song, she saw Russell watching her and smiling. Good thing he wasn’t the jealous type. Much as she loved to dance, she still felt a twinge of guilt dancing with someone else.
When the song ended, she hurried over to Russell.
“You have fun out there?” He grinned and winked, easing her conscience somewhat.
“Sorry, Russell. The guy grabbed me, and I believe he thought I was one of the hostesses, even though I’m not wearing the armband. Anyway, I went ahead and danced with him. You know USO hostesses aren’t supposed to refuse.”
“Lexie, you know I don’t mind. I want you to enjoy yourself instead of hanging around waiting for me. You looked great out there.”
She blushed, and he laughed. “How many more songs do you have to play?”
“The next one will be the last, then I’ll be free to leave.”
“Good. I told Penny to be ready.”
He nodded toward Penny. “Looks like she’s having a good time.”
“She is, and I’m glad. I hope our little act of rebellion will be worth it.”
“I hope so too.” The band leader led off with his clarinet, then the rest of the musicians joined in to play “Stardust.” The romantic song was one of her favorites, and Lexie wished she and Russell could be dancing to it. Maybe someday they would, but not tonight.
When the song was over, the band leader thanked everyone for coming, and the crowd began to disperse. As the band members were putting away their instruments, Artie Davis came over to Russell and extended his hand.
“Say, Russell, thanks for helping us out tonight. You know, our regular piano player has joined the army, so we have an opening if you’re interested.”
Russell shook his hand and smiled. “Thanks, Artie, but I have another job, you know.”
Artie shrugged. “Suit yourself, but we’re going to start auditioning for a new piano man, and you have first dibs.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Russell grabbed Lexie’s elbow to lead her out but called over his shoulder. “Keep me in mind for a fill-in, in the meantime.�
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“Will do.”
Penny joined them as they crossed the lobby to the front door. Cal Miller walked in when the door opened. He smiled and nodded at the group.
“Say, isn’t that the guy that was in the diner?” Penny asked Lexie.
“Yes.” Lexie hadn’t shared the fact that she and Cal had a conversation at lunch earlier in the week and didn’t want to discuss it now. She quickly changed the subject. “Did you have a good time, Penny?”
“I had a swell time! Thanks for the evening, Lexie … and Russell.”
“I hope you’ll thank me tomorrow,” said Lexie. “If we get in trouble, I’ll take responsibility. It was my idea.”
“They won’t buy that, Lexie, but it’s nice of you to offer. I came with you because I wanted to. I’m a big girl and can make up my own mind. I could’ve said ‘no.’”
Russell chimed in. “It was nice seeing you girls enjoy some time off. You work really hard and deserve to have a little fun.”
“Lexie deserves it more than I do,” Penny said. “I don’t risk my life when I work in a ward like she does.”
Russell raised his eyebrows. “You don’t say. Lexie, did something happen I don’t know about?”
“Go ahead and tell him about Big Bertha, Lexie.”
Lexie described Big Bertha’s attack on her and how she managed to escape unharmed. “The orderlies and doctor arrived pretty quickly.”
“Why were you in there alone? Weren’t there any other nurses on duty?” Russell was alarmed like she’d expected him to be, always worried about her protection.
“Russell, there just aren’t enough nurses to go around.”
“I didn’t know it was that bad.” Russell shook his head. “I don’t feel very comfortable about you being in that situation.”
“One of the things we nurses have to learn is to be able to cope with unusual conditions. And the nurse warned me about turning my back on the patients. I just need to be more careful.”
“You won’t see me volunteering for night duty on one of the psych wards!” Penny shook her head. “That’s not my cup of tea.”