She walked around her living room picking up toys upon toys. She thought it was about time she got out that old chore chart.
"OUCH!," she yelled out as she stepped on some action hero left on the floor by one of her sons.
"Cameron! Aidan! Let's go, I am going to be late and I still have to drop you off at Gram's house!"
They were young boys but they sure did sound like a herd of elephants running down the stairs.
"Cam, be careful or you will knock over your little brother! Do you each have your bags? I do not have time to turn around if you leave something at home."
"Yes," the boys said in unison.
The drop off at Gram's went smoothly.
Then it was off to work. Work. She enjoyed work. It kept her on her toes and focused. It had been a week since she started her "promotion" as a community service supervisor. To be honest, it wasn't that much different from her normal work day. Besides giving John Zacchara a list of things that needed to be done and signing his hours sheet, this new position wasn't as much of a hassle as she thought it was going to be.
She felt bad for him sometimes. He never smiled. Well, then again, I am sure anyone who has to do court ordered community service would rarely smile. Though she would never condone any act of violence, the thought of Anthony Zacchara dead put her mind, and the minds of all other Port Charles' citizens, at ease. Sometimes, though she would never admit it, she felt that Johnny killing his father was already an act of community service. Despite how she felt about the situation that brought Johnny to General Hospital, she was determined to not coddle him. He had to complete his sentence. She had already done her fair share of befriending criminals. While she didn't see a point in being mean to people, being friendly to the non-law abiding citizens has only ever put her in a world of hurt.
Elizabeth watched from the nurse's station as Patrick and Sabrina ran into each other in the hallway. She couldn't hear their conversation, but she definitely wondered what it was about. Most likely the baby. While a baby is always a blessing, she couldn't help but ache for the feelings her friend Robin must be overcome with. Robin and Patrick are strong. They will be able to get through this.
"Excuse me, Nurse Webber," Johnny waited for Elizabeth to look up and acknowledge him.
Elizabeth quickly pretended she was doing work, which she should be doing not wondering about people's personal lives, "Just give me one second to finishhh thiiisssss….Done. What can I help you with Mr. Zacchara?"
That was the first time Elizabeth actually addressed him, and he definitely did not like that way 'Mr. Zacchara' sounded, "Please, call me Johnny."
"Okay… do you need something?"
"I finished the list you gave me," he outstretched a piece of paper towards the nurse.
Elizabeth grabbed the list from his hand, "Okay, well you can do then, I will sign off on your hours for today…"
He didn't even let her finish her sentence, "Well is there anything else I can do? I really just want to finish up these hours as soon as I can, and in all honesty I have nothing else to do."
Elizabeth looked at him, "Um…," she thought for a minute, "…sure. Let me call down to maintenance to see if they could use a hand. Do you know how to use a wrench?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Elizabeth picked up the phone and dialed the maintenance extension. Surely enough they had plenty to get done and were understaffed. Elizabeth thanked the worker and hung up the phone.
"Well maintenance is very glad to have an extra hand, apparently they are understaffed right now. Just jump on the elevator and hit the button for the basement. When you get off of the elevator turn right and the maintenance office will be straight ahead."
"Okay, thanks," Johnny replied.
"Oh and one of the maintenance guys can sign off on your hours when you leave tonight. That way you don't have to search for me."
"Okay, well have a good night then," he said as he turned to walk toward the elevator.
Elizabeth was about the reply with a 'you too', but by the time she picked up her head he was on the elevator and gone.
This day felt really long. Elizabeth couldn't wait to get the boys and get home. She was definitely stopping for take out tonight. Cooking was the last thing she wanted to do. She stuck her key in the ignition and turned the key over.
Uh oh. The sound her car made sounded like a frog with emphysema.
"You have got to be kidding me!," Elizabeth dropped her head onto the steering wheel. That self-pity party ended abruptly when she was startled to hear a knock on the window. Elizabeth jumped up with a intake of breath only to see it was John Zacchara.
His initial look was shock, "Nurse Webber. I didn't know that was you," he yelled through the window.
Elizabeth cracked open her door, seeing her electric windows would work with the car not turning on and all. She let out a sarcastic, "Yep, it's me."
"I was walking to my car when I heard what sounded like a busted alternator."
"You must have an ear for it. I call it the sound of my life. Nothing is busted. It just does this sometimes and after a few tries she is up and running."
Elizabeth tried a few more times to start the car.
"You want me to take a look?," Johnny asked.
Elizabeth kept turning the key, "No I got this," after the sixth time the car finally started, "see? Up and running. I am good to go, and very ready to go home."
"You sure you'll be okay?"
"Absolutely."
"Good evening Nurse Webber."
"Good evening Mr. Za… Johnny."
Johnny smiled at her, closed her car door, and walked away.
Elizabeth smiled, put her car in reverse, and pulled out of her space.