It's been two weeks since I've spoken with Norman, and things have really only gone downhill.
Half of the staff at Fairvale is angry with me because of the incident with Dr. Vincent, and the other half is angry because they think I'm negligent due to Norman requesting a new nurse after only two weeks. I guess that's the power that someone with higher authority can have over you.
My days at work consist of me coming, seeing my patients, and leaving, all without speaking to anyone else. It's frustrating seeing as I can't understand why anyone is upset with me when I genuinely do not understand what I did wrong.
Anyway, it's Friday now, and Richard and I have made up, so at least I can look forward to going home. I clock out at the reception desk and smile at Pattie. "Got any plans for the weekend?" I ask, to which she just ignores me.
My cheeks burn and I put my time card back on the shelf, walking out to the lobby to wait for Richard.
I see Norman sitting across the room in one of the armchairs, reading a book. He glances up at me and we make eye contact. I nervously smile at him. He closes his book and stands up, walking down the hall to his room.
Frowning, I rest my head on my hand, leaning on the arm of the couch.
Just as I close my eyes and start to drift off, something heavy falls in my lap. My eyes shoot open and I jump only to see Norman walking off, and the box of books I'd previously given him is what is on my lap.
He and I were beginning to become such good friends and I had to go and break his trust by listening to that asshole doctor. If only I'd trusted my gut.
Oh well, there's no sense in dwelling on losses.
The door opens behind me and I turn to see Richard, which makes me smile and immediately jump up.
"Well, someone's happy to see me." He puts an arm around my shoulders.
"Just get me out of here." I groan, throwing the box in the trunk and getting into my side of the car.
Once we're home I see that he's made a dinner, even with two wine glasses on the table. "What's the occasion?" I ask as he pulls a chair out for me.
He smiles, " I just felt like appreciating you!" I half laugh, "No seriously, what's the occasion?" Once he gets comfortable in his chair, he looks up at me. "I made a really big sale today." Raising my eyebrows, I lean forward.
"How big?"
"Big enough to buy you a car, and you remember that big colonial house we looked at, but it was being sold for lots of dough? The one built in, say, '35? The one that was our unrealistic dream house?" He asks, and I nod in response. "Well, we can afford that now, thanks to this sale." He smiles. "You're serious?" I widen my eyes. "Yep. My father has even agreed to help sell this one. The thing is, we have to let them know by Monday."
"I'd love to, but, that house is in Sacramento, remember?"
He nods.
"What about work?'' He waves his hand, "I'm gonna expand the family real estate business. It'll be fine.'' He puts a hand on my shoulder.
My face falls, "I was talking about my job, Richard. What am I gonna do about my job?"
"Quit! You hate it anyway. I'll take care of you." He smiles. I roll my eyes, "I didn't go to school for four years to not work and have a man take care of me." I put a hand on my hip. "OK, OK, I'm sure there are nut houses in Sacramento." I give him a look. "Fine, there are 'mental institutions'. So what do you say?"
I stand up, leaning against the counter and picking my finger. That's easily my worst habit. "Come on JoJo" He coaxes. "I guess I can tell Mr. James on Monday.." I say, causing him to clap his hands together and stand up. "I'm gonna go call the realtor. Life for you is just starting, Baby."
*Monday*
The entire weekend was spent packing, and I mean the ENTIRE weekend. We've nearly got the whole house packed. We'll easily be gone by midweek. It just all happened so fast, but I suppose it's only for the better. Richard is at home helping the movers, so I drove to the institution to tell Mr. James. I knock on his door and wait for him to yell for me to come in, which he soon does. He smiles once I get in the door and stands up. "Jolene! How nice to see you! Please, sit down. Coffee?" Shaking my head, I sit in the armchair across from him and fidget with my hands. "Is something wrong?" He asks.
"Well, to be honest, Mr. James, I came to tell you that I'm not going to continue working here." Ugh. That was so nerve-racking.
Frowning, he puts his coffee cup down. "It doesn't have anything to do with the recent drama, does it? Because I can take care of that, I just-" "No, it's not that. My fiancé and I were given an opportunity that we just can't pass up. I enjoyed my time here though, I really did!" Have you noticed how many white lies I tell?
His desk chair creaks as he leans back, crossing his legs. "Well, I hate to see you go. You almost helped us crack one of our toughest patients. I wish you nothing but the best though." Finally, someone actually being nice. Smiling, I stand up and extend my hand, saying my goodbyes before turning to leave as quickly as possible.
I pass the reception desk without even looking and start to push the front door open, but stop. I turn and look down the first hallway and debate on following my gut or not. Deciding to go with my gut, I let go of the door and start down the hall, not stopping until the '24' is in front of me. I knock first, then gently push the door open. Norman is sitting on the edge of his bed, staring straight ahead at the blank white wall. "Norman, I know you're still upset, but I just wanted to-"
"Well, if it isn't lover girl?" He cuts me off, his voice a lot higher and more shrill than usual. I freeze, having never been in this situation before. "Norman, don't let her take over you. I know you can hear me…" I gently touch his shoulder. "I don't want a filthy whore touching my son!" He slaps my hand away. I back away quickly and he stands up, walking toward me.
"I'm tired of these disgusting women trying to invade my son. The things you cause him to think about you, absolutely sickening." He grabs my shoulders, pushing me against the wall. "I should just kill you now, to free him of a burden!" One of his large hands goes around my neck. I scream, trying to fight back but his grip is too strong.
Two guards run in just in time for them to see me get the better hand and push him back, causing him to stumble and fall back against his desk. One of the guards injects him with something while the other restrains him. I can't do anything but cover my mouth, with my eyes wide. It's only when I see that his mouth and nose are bleeding that tears start falling down my cheeks. "What happened?" One of them asks while the other cleans his face, trying to stop the bleeding.
"T-that was not Norman I was talking to..it was his Mother..and then he, or she, tried choking me, so I pushed him and he stumbled into the desk." I explain, my voice cracking due to my crying. He gets out a small light, flashing it into Norman's eyes and whistling. "Whew, yep, kids out of it. We need to get him down to confinement."
They both leave to go grab a stretcher. Norman is still sat on the floor, trembling but calming due to the injection. It doesn't take a genius to see how out of it he is, though. I walk over slowly, squatting down next to him and grabbing his hand, gently stroking my thumb over it. "Norman, I'm so sorry.." I whisper.
I hear the guards coming back with the stretcher so I drop his hand, standing up and smoothing my skirt. "I need to go now, but when he comes to, could you please apologize to him for me? And explain to him that I no longer work here?" I ask. One guard nods, smiling and resting a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll make sure he gets the message." He says. I nod appreciatively and go into the hall where a small crowd is gathered due to the commotion.
Pattie is standing there with her arms crossed, shaking her head. "Haven't you done enough?" She spits. I hurriedly leave to prevent myself from crying again, just happy that's over.
Again, to the person who keeps leaving reviews, thank you so much! I almost look forward to reading your lengthy reviews as much as I look forward to updating the story! Keep them coming! :)