Girls in the City Alison - Suzanne Jenkins Page 0,17

at the whiteboard, updating surgeries, adding arrivals to the holding area, erasing cancelations, and jotting down lunchtimes for staff.

“You got a second?”

She looked over her shoulder at towering staff nurse Mary Louise, a known troublemaker at the surgical center. If Mary Louise wanted something, it probably wasn’t going to be good.

“There’s nothing I can do about the call schedule,” Kathy said. “It sucks, but that’s your union contract. Call for the holidays is based on seniority, and as long as I can never fire anyone, thanks to your union, and therefore hire someone new, you’re low man on seniority.”

“It does suck, because I’ve been here for five friggin’ years. That’s a lot of Christmas call.”

“Like I said, take it up with the union.”

“Anyway, that’s not what I want to talk to you about.”

She looked at Mary Louise and saw gossip simmering in her eyes. “Ah! Well, follow me, then. We should find out if there are any fresh donuts in the lounge first. There were enough sales reps here today that we shouldn’t have to worry about something to eat.”

They got coffee, and since there were no donuts left, only stale crumbs and a wizened fruit bouquet, headed back to Kathy’s office, where she closed the door after they entered.

“Spill.”

“You’d better sit down.”

“Great. Something about Rich, right? I figured. It’s been long overdue since the last bullshit SOS Kristin sent out.”

“The good thing about this is that you can go right to Rich and ask him yourself.”

Starting to fidget, Kathy looked at her watch. “Spit it out, Mary Louise.”

“Evidently, Rich’s new girlfriend is a transsexual.”

Frowning, Kathy listened as the word bounced around the room. “He’s dating a girl that used to be a guy?”

“Maybe that’s the wrong word,” Mary Louise said. “Transgender.”

“I’ve seen her in the car,” Kathy said, thinking of the pleasant, smiling young woman, a doctor, who had come with Rich when it was his turn to take Mike. “She’s an attractive woman. Maybe a little tomboyish…”

She blocked out the rest of what her staff nurse babbled. Here was a crossroad. She’d taken all the sensitivity training necessary to be a leader in the nursing department. Even her church was emphasizing inclusivity. Listening to Mary Louise yammer on, Kathy knew she had a lot at stake here. It transcended her ex-husband, or even her child’s well-being. She could respond the way her gut was telling her to respond, or the way her brain was telling her.

Watching Mary Louise, she’d allow her to finish her tirade before any response. The conversation was going to be documented in detail, just in case.

When she was finally finished, she took a breath. “Kristin thought you’d want to know. This woman is around your son now, too.”

“She’s a doctor, correct? Not a kidnapper.”

“Ha! I don’t know that she’s a doctor. I don’t remember Kristin saying anything about that. And as far as being a kidnapper, not that we know of.”

Kathy stood up and reached for her cup. “You need to get back to work. Thank you for sharing your concerns, and thank Kristin, but it’s a nonissue. I trust Rich to make good decisions about who he introduces Mike to, and this is the first girlfriend to meet our son, so he must be serious about her. I’m not surprised he didn’t introduce Kristin to Mike, and you can tell her I said that.”

“I’m frankly amazed you’re taking it so calmly,” Mary Louise said, feeling a little embarrassment. “Because of church and all.”

“Yeah, church is exactly why I’m so calm. Jesus would love her. He might not be so happy about you and Kristin trying to stir the pot, but he loves you, too. So I’ll be nice and just tell you to get back to your room.

“Oh, and tell Kristin I’m going to tell Rich she’s spreading gossip about his new GF. And I’m warning you not to repeat it to anyone here, or I’ll have to take it to the nursing office.”

“I’m only telling you, Kathy. Chill.”

“Go.”

After the cases had finished up for the day, Kathy locked herself in her office and called Rich.

“I didn’t do it,” he said, answering.

It completely decompressed her angst, and she laughed. “I know you didn’t. Can you talk for a minute? Everything is okay with Mike. Your parents picked him up from school, and they’re at the house. For the duration. Evidently, your apartment is getting on their nerves.”

“It is getting a little crowded. And yes, I can talk.”

“Kristin called a friend of hers here

readonlinefreenovel.com Copyright 2016 - 2024