Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 62430 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62430 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
14
GINA
It was Friday and I still couldn’t stop thinking about him. When I was at work, I caught myself looking around for him. It was an unconscious habit by now that only brought pain. I would glance through the common area, searching for his rugged shoulders, only to realize that he had been released. There was a new patient in Porter’s original room, someone altogether unappetizing. I remembered my first vision of him, shirtless on the bed, looking like some Hollywood actor playing a role.
On my days off, I drifted around my apartment, trying to keep busy. I took a bath, I went for a walk, and I read a book. No matter what I did, my thoughts kept returning to Porter. He was free now, which meant he was fair game. It might be frowned upon, it might be against the code of the twelve-step program but pursuing him wouldn’t cost me my job.
I wished I had someone I could talk to; someone I could confide in who would keep my secret. Cindy was wonderful for spontaneous party nights, but I didn’t feel comfortable sharing my intimate confessions with her. Mom would listen, but it was a bit of a chore to get to her gravesite, and she couldn’t give me any advice. I couldn’t talk to my dad. Even though we’d patched up our relationship, he knew Porter and likely wouldn’t approve of my seeking him out. My brothers were MIA, and I had no religious network or community of friends to fall back on. The way I grew up, with my family constantly in crisis, it hadn’t been easy to make or keep friends.
By the time I returned to work after my weekend, I felt truly alone. I kept up my façade until I just couldn’t do it anymore. Without putting voice to my plans, I went to the office to ask for some time off.
“There’s something I have to do,” I said. “I know it’s short notice, but if it’s okay, I’d like to take a week off.”
The head nurse looked up from her paperwork and smiled. “Gina, I always have to chase you to take your vacation. If this is important to you, we’ll be fine. I’ll redo the schedule for next week. Just make sure you submit your request to HR.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, hardly daring to believe it had been that easy.
I slipped behind a computer at the nurses’ station and logged on to my HR account. Putting in the request, I hit Send and felt a thrill race down my spine. I had done it; I was free. I worked out the rest of the shift in eager anticipation. Gone was the fake smile and the practiced courtesy; I was really engaged with all the patients I saw.
“You seem chipper,” Mr. Lewis observed as I brought him his medication.
“I’m taking a vacation,” I informed him.
“Congratulations.” He toasted me with the pills before swallowing them and chasing it with water.
My good mood didn’t escape Cindy’s notice either. “Did you win the lottery again?” she asked.
I considered the question. “You know, I think I might have. I’m taking a vacation.”
“Good for you,” she cheered. “Where are you going?”
I froze. The plan that was gradually forming in my mind hadn’t solidified yet. There was no way I was telling her that I was going home to Singer’s Ridge. She would know exactly why I was headed that way and it wouldn’t be to visit my dad and stepmom.
“I’m going to Florida,” I lied.
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously but said nothing.
“Disneyland,” I clarified.
“Cool.” She gave me a sideways glance as I eased out of the conversation, toward the door. “Get me a souvenir.”
“Sure!” I called out cheerfully as I followed Porter’s steps out through the visitors’ lobby. I would have to figure out how to get an authentic Disneyland souvenir while I was gone, but that was a problem for another day.
I nearly raced home to pack. A pair of jeans and a few T-shirts went into the suitcase, as well as my toiletries and accessories. On consideration, I threw in my clubbing outfit. It couldn’t hurt. This type of situation was exactly what that dress had been designed for.
I found a hotel in Singer’s Ridge and made a reservation. There was no way I’d risk staying at my dad’s. I called the vet and arranged for Evil to be boarded. Then I crawled around on my hands and knees, trying to coax the little queen out of hiding.
“This isn’t a doctor’s appointment,” I said cheerfully. “Mommy has to go somewhere, and you have to go to camp.” She fought tooth and nail, latching onto my shirt so I had to pry each one of her claws loose. “It’s only for a week,” I soothed, fastening the latch.