“Vicky?”
Yvonne came up behind Aidan, “What’s wrong?”
“Where’s Vicky?”
“She was in here, just a minute ago.”
The sound of a toilet flushing, caused both women to look at each other and laugh.
“Sorry, false alarm,” Aidan muttered sheepishly.
Yvonne nodded and left the room, as Vicky came out of the bathroom.
Aidan pointed to the venetian blinds, and asked, “You called?” She decided not to tell Vicky how panicked she had just been. No need to bring up frightening memories, when they’re about to travel into a war zone.
Giggling, Vicky walked to the office door, and locked it. Then she leaned back against it, and coolly said, “I thought maybe we could have a little tryst, before we leave here.”
“Sounds good. Do you want a quickie, or one you’ll remember for months to come?”
Aidan began removing Vicky’s jacket, and unbuttoning her blouse. She leaned in, and kissed the hollow of her throat. She raised up Vicky’s skirt, and wedged her leg between Vicky’s legs, pushing gently against her.
Vicky tilted her head back in response, and murmured, “That last option sounded really good.”
Aidan held her tight, kissed her deep, and guided her to the desk. With a swish of her hand, she scattered the papers from the desk, and laid Vicky down on it. “I’ve always wanted to do that,” she grinned, as she crawled up on top of Vicky.
Meanwhile, back at her desk, Yvonne looked up to find Paul walking toward her.
“Hi Yvonne, is she in?”
Paul Stewart, head of security at the hospital, was a retired Technical Sergeant from the Air Force Military Police. He had worked for Vicky since she took over as CEO.
“She is, but um, you might want to come back in about—”
Suddenly, there was a loud banging coming from inside Vicky’s office, and Paul rushed to investigate. Just as he was about to unlock the door with his master key, Yvonne screamed, “Paul, NO!”
He stopped instantly. He looked at her questioningly, until he heard giggling coming from the other side of the door. His normally stoic face, flushed a bright red, and he backed away from the office.
Yvonne laughed, and said, “As I was saying, you should probably come back in about twenty minutes.”
Chapter 7
Though it was a bright, sunny, new spring morning, the house was dark, devoid of light and life. Any semblance of a family having lived there, was smothered under the dark plastic sheets that encased it. She rubbed her hand across the raggedy recliner, and saw her little girl, her hair in pigtails, bouncing on her daddy’s knee. She sighed, and covered it in plastic as well. She looked around the boarded up house, and wondered if she were making a mistake. Yes she loved her daughter, more than perhaps her daughter even knew. But they were about to change everything they’d known, and the thought of it left her feeling a little bit empty, and a little bit frighten.
Alice Montgomery, plump, and petite, with graying blond hair, befitting her fifty nine years of life, had hazel eyes, thin lips and big bones. She had grown up in a small town, married and moved to another small town, and now was being asked to move to the big city. Little Rock was not that large a city, as cities go, but for someone who knew practically everyone’s name in her little town, the juxtaposition was greatly skewed.
“Is that everything, Mrs. Montgomery?” Aidan walked up, holding a carton of chocolate ice cream in one hand, and a plastic spoon in the other. Scraping the side of the carton, where the ice cream had softened the most, she scooped up a spoonful, and licked it off the spoon.
“Oh, Aidan. You startled me.”
“Everything all right, Mom?” Vicky walked in, and stood beside Aidan, who handed over her spoon to her. Alice observed as Vicky scooped up a bite of Aidan’s ice cream. Alice was reminded of how Aidan and Vicky always shared their ice cream with each other, when they were kids. Aidan preferred the soft, melting sides of the ice cream, and Vicky liked the hard frozen middle.
“Yes, dear. Just a little, um, unsure, at the moment.”
“Think of my house and the city, as a test drive. You take it out for a spin, and if you don’t like it, you just come right back here. Nothing has to change, if you don’t want it to, Mom.”
“You’ve changed, Vicky. There was a time when you would tell your father and I everything. It saddens me that you didn’t feel you could come to me about your pregnancy, until after you were shot, and lost the baby. A thing like that would destroy some women, but you seem to have worked through the grief.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Mom, but it all happened so fast. And I have been able to work through losing my child, thanks to Aidan.”
“Aidan?”
“Yes, mother. When will you accept that I love her, and I’m in love with her?”
Alice shook her head. She just could not accept that her daughter was in love with another woman.
Aidan started to leave, as much to allow them some privacy, as to keep control of her mouth, but Alice asked her to stay.
“You understand, Aidan, that I don’t approve of your, um…, lifestyle?”
“I understand, Mrs. Montgomery. And to be blunt, you need to understand that it doesn’t matter. Vicky and I love each other, and as soon as we get back, we will be married. We’d like you to be a part of our family, but I will understand, if you’d rather not be.” Aidan held her breath, hoping she hadn’t been too harsh, but then exhaled, when Vicky smiled approvingly at her.
“I wasn’t finished talking yet, young lady.”
Aidan instantly felt ten years old again.
“As I was saying, while I don’t approve, I love my daughter, and will not separate myself from her again. Do you understand, Aidan?”
Aidan grinned. Though it wasn’t what she had hoped for, and was probably going to be more than she bargained for, she would find a way to live with this unapproving woman. “So do I call you Ma? Or Mom? Or how about Alice?”
“Alice will be just find, smarty pants.” Alice said it without inflection, but the twinkle in her eye, betrayed her seriousness. “Well don’t just stand there like the world owes you something. Help me with this last box.”
Aidan goosed Vicky, and picked up the box, “Yes ma’am. Alice, ma’am.”
***
“Hey there, and welcome to St. Frances. Can I get y’all to where you’re a going to?” Ruth was laying it on thick, but she was trying to loosen up the concierge that was training her. It was hard enough, for the young man to have to train his own boss, no reason why he can’t have some fun while he does. “We’ve got registration over to your left, and to your right is the best damn gift shop, you’d ever want to step foot in. And then of course, here’s the coffee shop, where you’ll find me, most days.”
“What’s your name, ma’am?”
“This is Ms. Mason, she’s a trainee. This is her first day.” The concierge volunteered hurriedly. “And my name is Bobby East.”
“Yes, well my name is Dakota Lewis. It’s nice to meet you both.”
“Your accent tells me you’re not from around these parts, so welcome to Little Rock. Can we help you find your way?” Ruth inspected the young woman who stood before her. Tan, with high cheek bones, long silky black hair, and large round chocolate eyes. Her long legs gave her short body more height, and her arms balanced out the difference. Ruth couldn’t help but come back to the woman’s face, with its dark eyebrows, and teeth that glowed under those thick, red lips. If I were only ten years younger…
“Thank you, no. I know where I’m going.”
“As you like.” Ruth stepped to the side, and watched Dakota walk down the hall. By the way she was reading the hallway signs, Ruth knew that she didn’t know where she was going.
Dakota found her way to the system offices, and asked Yvonne if Vicky was available. Before Yvonne could answer, Vicky came through the door.
“Yvonne, I’m not here, understand?�
��
“Yes ma’am, you’re not here.”
“I just came in to give you a key to my house, and ask if you would send out an email for me. It’s up on my computer, ready to send, but I want you to wait until tomorrow, okay?”
“Sure, no problem. Did you get your folks moved in all right?”
“Yes, kicking and screaming, but settled in. We moved the last of their belongings this morning. Here’s the key to my house, my credit cards and…” Vicky noticed Dakota standing to the side. “Oh, hello, Dakota. Um, you’re not supposed to be here yet.”
“No ma’am. I’m not here either. Just wanted to see the hospital before anyone knew who I was. It helps to know where the opportunities for improvement are hidden.”
“Smart idea. And have you found any opportunities yet?”
“Well, I just got here, and wanted to check in with you first. But I have found one thing that concerns me regarding first contact with the public.”
“I don’t have much time, but come into my office, and lets have a chat.”
“I don’t mean to keep you, ma’am. Especially after I got your email saying you would be gone for a while, and not to change anything. I know you said that in jest, but I hesitate to even bring this up now.”
“Perfectly all right, Dakota. What have you observed?”
“It concerns that older lady at the front door. I believe she’s a concierge. I think she really needs to be moved to a less public place to work, or perhaps, let go entirely.”
***
“Hey Paul. I was hoping to run into you before I left.”
Aidan found Paul in the front lobby, talking on his 2 way radio.
“I was hoping to run into you also, Aidan. Let’s go outside, where we can talk.”
Paul turned down his two way radio, which had some chatter crackling annoyingly through it, and led Aidan out to the front of the hospital. They often had impromptu meetings outside, because both were a little bit paranoid about who was listening in on their conversations.
“I heard from Homeland Security. They think Jack’s trial will begin in three months. Jack’s having trouble finding a lawyer who will take his case.”
Jack Owens, former Administrator of St. Frances Hospital, was arrested in conspiracy to commit treason on the state of Arkansas. Though he didn’t set the bombs himself, he made the way clear for those who had. Aidan had been suspicious of him, from the first day she met him, and it was her investigation of the man, that led Homeland Security to arrest him.
Aidan’s face rankled with anger. “Serves him right, the bastard.” Jack was the one responsible for taking a cell phone picture of Vicky, as she lay on the hospital lobby floor, with a gunshot wound to her heart. He maliciously sent the picture by way of encrypted cell, to a magazine he knew would publish it. They made it the cover story. “I just hope I get back in time, to be there when the guilty verdict comes in.”
“In time? Aidan, you’ll probably be called as a key witness. You have to be there.”
“Shit. I’m leaving on a special mission, and I’m not sure when I’ll get back.”
“What mission?”
Aidan trusted Paul enough, to keep her secret, so she told him about Syria. “Everything has been set in motion, and I can’t stop things now, even if I wanted to. But with any luck, we’ll pull Sam out of there, and be back home before the trial starts.”
“I sure hope so, because unless they can tie Jack to the terrorist, he’s going to walk.”
***
“So, you think the new concierge manager is rough around the edges?” Vicky smiled through just a twinge of anger. After all, Dakota didn’t know yet, that Ruth was her aunt, and nepotism was something that most corporate offices frowned on. But Vicky felt that as long as it didn’t cause problems, she would overlook it. Half the nurses that worked for her, had a relative working in one department or another. Vicky found that it helped reduce turnover, among other things.
“She just sounded so unprofessional.”
“Unprofessional? How?”
“Her manner. Um, her language and familiarity.”
“Here, walk with me. I’ve got to meet my fiancée in just a few minutes.”
Vicky led Dakota out of her office door, stopping only long enough to hug Yvonne one more time.
“Have a great time, Vicky, but be safe.” Yvonne offered. Everyone believed that Vicky was going on vacation, but Yvonne was intuitive, and had a nagging feeling something wasn’t quite right.
“I will, and you take care of things around here for me. See you in a few months.”
***
Walking into the hallway, Vicky explained to Dakota, “Listen, you’re not completely right, and you’re not completely wrong about that lady. You’re from up North, and probably aren’t accustom to some of our southern ways here. Most people like the familiarity, it makes them feel welcomed and at home. And that’s what I strive to make St. Frances, a home. Not just for the patients, but for the employees as well. Happy employees make for happier patients. And, you should probably know that Ruth, that’s her name, Ruth Mason, is my—”
Just as they turned the corner into the foyer of the lobby, Ruth, Paul, and Aidan, walked toward them. Vicky kissed Aidan on the cheek, and introduced them all to Dakota. “This is my Aunt Ruth, your new concierge manager. And this is Aidan, my fiancée, and Paul Stewart, head of security at the hospital.”
“Oh, um…, oh.” Dakota wasn’t sure what to say as she watched her job opportunities suddenly evaporate before her eyes.
Ruth thought she might be ill, “Is she all right?”
“Yes, Aunt Ruth. I just sort of blindsided her. I didn’t have time to tell her that you and I were related. Aunt Ruth, this is your new boss, Dakota Lewis, our new Administrator here at the hospital. You’ll be reporting to her, understand?”
“Sure. Can I get you some water, boss?”
Dakota smiled, and shook her head. Looking from Ruth to Vicky, she could see the family resemblance…, now. Vicky wrapped her arm around Dakota’s shoulder, and told the other’s that she would be right back. They walked just outside the front doors.
“Listen, I do appreciate your observations, it was a good one. All I ask is that you don’t go changing anything like that until I get back, and we can discuss it. Now, I’m not going to micro manage you, but I’m also not going to let you fire my aunt. Especially when I just hired her. Understand?”
“I understand, Ms. Montgomery.”
“No, please. Not so formal. Like I said, we’re family here, call me Vicky. And Dakota, don’t worry so much. Have some fun, and get to know the employees first. You’ll fall in love with them, I promise you.”
“I believe you, Vicky.” Dakota was struck with a sense of inclusion. She had studied up on Vicky, before she applied for the job, and knew her to be passionate about this hospital, and its employees. Dakota decided she would need to find another way to impress her new boss, but it wasn’t going to be by changing things around, especially not while Vicky was gone.
Chapter 8
Though spring had arrived early in Arkansas, giving the heart that much needed jolt of hope for new life, there were still some places, where winter continued its grip on the earth, that the new life lay dormant. Places like North Carolina, where spring hadn’t arrived yet. The barren trees and brown grass at the training complex, made the gray barracks and hanger, look drab and dreary. Even then, it wasn’t as bad as what it looked like, inside the building.
Devoid of all pleasantries, save for the coffee pot percolating in the far corner, the assembly hall reminded Vicky of a prison. This room was where Aidan, Vicky and Jerry, would begin their new adventure.
Jerry had flown in from Baltimore, where he keeps an apartment, because his mother lives in the city. He strolled up to them, and Vicky gleefully hugged him, then Aidan shook his hand. He poured himself a cup of coffee, and the three chatted for a bit, but didn’t get far in their conversation when a brawny man, with a
very deep voice, bellowed at them.
“Your attention please. Everyone take a seat, and let’s get started.” The three friends took a seat toward the front, beside the other trainees. Once everyone sat down, the Drill Sergeant continued.
“You will address me as Drill Sergeant, but you will not salute me. Do you understand?”
Aidan and Jerry, and a couple of others, shouted hurrah, but the rest, like Vicky, who were obviously not military, just said, yes sir.
“When you’re answering a question I put to you, your response is always a loud, hurrah. So I’ll ask again, do you understand?”
The group shouted hurrah in unison.
The Drill Sergeant was a big burly man with a buzz cut and a boxed jawline. He wore fatigues that didn’t flatter his obvious muscular build and pooching stomach, and had a Marine symbol tattooed on his right forearm. Though he was no longer serving on active duty, if anyone asked him about his service, he would proudly proclaim, ‘I am a Marine.’ He lived the code of all Marines, once a Marine, always a Marine. But he found that he could make more money, working in the private sector, and liked some of the luxuries’ it afforded him. His voice was deep and blustery, and his face expressionless. Vicky felt intimidated immediately.
“Before you arrived here, you filled out paperwork that included your medical info, what size clothes you wear, and other shit like that. Over on the table, you will find a packet with your name on it. It includes your fatigues, boots and dog tags. While you are here, you will wear your fatigues and dog tags at all times. You will not wear any other jewelry, period. You will eat only what’s provided on base. You will not order pizzas or cappuccinos, or other shit like that. You will rise before sunlight, and go to bed after sundown. Do you understand?”
“Hurrah!”
“Now, for you ex-military people, know this. We are not subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, so don’t expect the same protocol. We have our own way of doing things here, and if you want to survive, you’d better accept it. Do you understand?”
Remember, It’s You I Love: Operation Pink Knight Page 8