Maite's POV
I got the clearance from the board for my job but it was a rough day dealing with Michael and Morgan's parents afterward. I had no clue I dropped a bomb on them and it made me feel terrible at first but it feels like something they would be happy to know about in the future.
I had worried that Morgan would hate me so much after the breakup with Michael and he did for a while until one day he wasn't. I think Molly had something to do with it but I can't be entirely sure. He was motivated when he came to class and was a thoughtful and engaged student.
I just hate to think about all that wasted potential. He was just finding his stride and then he just dies. I felt so horribly for Kiki when she found out her mother had something to do with it. I can't believe Ava would tamper with someone's medication.
I have a sorrow in my heart envisioning Morgan not knowing why he was spiraling thinking he was doing the right thing by taking his medication. I don't have children but the nights I held Michael with him breaking down wondering how his brother's life was finally back on track to have it just being a tragic descent to Morgan's death.
It was incredibly difficult when I had Cata sleeping. I don't even know how I was able to hide it from her but I as motivated since Michael didn't want anyone else to see him like this. It was close one time when Cameron and Cata to study and I had just finished having sex with Michael. They didn't know we were home. I made us hide in the closet with our phones on silent so she couldn't tell I came home much less with a person.
It was something we laughed about endlessly and Michael knows if he truly needs me I will be there.
I cleaned myself up after discussing everything I knew with the Corinthoses and I feel better that they know more about their son.
I walk to the main elevators and I see my little sister and her little friend. She says they are just friends but I think she harbors a tiny crush. They are with Michael's sister Josslyn. I don't know much about her but she is becoming a fast friend with my sister.
Out of nowhere I see Elizabeth and she looks happy.
"Hey! I spoke with my sister, I see congratulations are in order… I wanted to ask you do you think more layoffs are in the future?" I can only imagine this is tough for a mom of three who relies on her salary heavily needs to know these questions.
"Elizabeth I plan on doing big things for this hospital but austerity won't be one of them. Rarely do hospitals function with slashing staff. It usually is a precursor for it to close. Reducing a workforce doesn't solve money problems it usually exacerbates it. You are one of the most senior nurses correct?" I don't ask questions I don't already know the answer too but it is incredibly important to have talented individuals know that they are integral to success.
"Well yes… I have been here for years… is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Sometimes it can be a bad thing to stay at a place so long because places with cut their long tenured staff to cut costs but it's usually a bad idea.
"Well it's a great thing… walk with me…" I want Elizabeth to hear what I have in store for her.
"This makes me a little nervous…"
"Don't be nervous… I would like us to talk in my office…" I know it does really sound ominous but I don't intend it too.
When we get to my office I make sure to have the door closed so we don't have anyone hear us.
"What did you want to talk about?" It's clear she is trying to mask her worry but I can see through poker faces.
"I believe in your talent Elizabeth but I want to know what is your ambition?"
"Well for the longest time I've just been a single mom trying to make sure my kids had everything they needed which is hard on one salary. My ambition has taken a backseat to soccer fees, art supplies and cooking classes…"
"Well I have a proposition for you. What I am going to ask won't be easy but you are a mom of three doing it by herself I think you can face anything. I would like you to enroll in a MSN graduate program. I have reviewed your file and you have the highest reviewed profile of any city employee at this hospital did you know that?" She looks shocked when I tell her this…
"I didn't know that actually… It is nice to hear that people care…"
"I need those things for people I want on my team and Elizabeth I want you on my team. I want you to become a practitioner so you can have more say in the care of your charges. You have been a nurse a long time you have more knowledge in active care than many resident doctors. Eventually I would like you to establish a role for you being in charge of patient care. It will be less hands on than what you are used too but you get to set a standard and help mold future medical professionals and we need advocates like that for what I would like us to be. Is that something you are interested in?"
"Well yeah of course I would but I'll be honest I can't afford to go back to school especially because in a couple of years my son will be off to college. I can't have blind hope he will get a full ride on a soccer scholarship. I have to keep storing money for that."
"I know the cost of what I am asking is steep but I'll find a way for the hospital to pay for it. I know your salary is obviously important to you and I don't want you to risk your livelihood while you go to school. We can enroll you in an online MSN program with some of the most reputable schools of nursing in the country. I will help you apply and the more acceptances we get the more we can tailor what you would like to study. Most can take anywhere from a year to a year and a half. If you start as early as next semester you would still graduate before Cameron goes to college." I want to give her as many comfortable options as I can because I know this is difficult to juggle.
"First off I want to thank you for even having me in mind for this. It's been a while since I have been recognized for something like this. I would like some time to think about this. I know it potentially would mean more money for my family but I do have to discuss this with Franco and my kids I hope you can understand that…"
"Of course Elizabeth. You going back to school would of course effect them. It is something you have to think about truly. Even if this is not something you end up pursuing we can pursue different avenues to more utilize your talents. But I will say I would like for you to have your MSN so you can be an NP. Not only would it mean more dollars for your work but you can do consulting. I plan on having telemedicine done here because everyday is not a tragedy and I would like highly skilled nurses be able to take part. The increased revenue from that channel would allow for bumps in pay for those who can participate. We have some time but don't take too long because the admissions process does take some time." I am glad to see Elizabeth having a face of contained excitement.
I can see this is something she wants for herself and it might just be a kick in the right direction for her.
We walk back to the nurses station making small talk and I tell her about my little mishap and it seems Hayden had not told her about her run-in with Mr. Drew Cain. She really just laughs at me being matchmaker for her sister and Drew. She tells me the notion is absurd and I told her I wouldn't be so sure. I said I saw sparks flying and she told me I should have called the fire department.
"Hey mom! So can I get some money to go to Kelly's and a movie…" Cameron is a nice and polite guy and I have keep myself from smiling noticing my sister coming up from behind him.
"Wow… no buttering up today. You go straight for the hey ma can I get some money…" Elizabeth is a funny person but I can see why she has to think about it.
"Mom how was your day?"
"It's too late Cameron come on. Let's go get my wallet…"
"Mi amorita… mi nena…" I come to hug my sister tight. I speak to her in Arabic and ask if she's okay and she tells me yes and it seem genuine.
"Maite… this is my friend Josslyn Jacks. Joss this is my sister…"
"Wait… I've seen you in my brother's phone before. Didn't you guys used to date?" Michael of course not as careful as me and Cata starts looking at Josslyn like she is crazy. This little girl is getting an attitude with me.
"Josslyn, don't you ever speak to my sister that way. You're not going to disrespect her…"
"She broke my brother's heart… but don't worry he's gotten over it." I honestly doubt that Josslyn but okay.
"Josslyn… that's enough!" I look behind me and Michael makes the same face when he made that puta from my internship eat her words. His parents are right behind him and I am mortified for this coming to light in public.
"I don't understand—" The girl doesn't know how to quit while she is behind.
"You're right you don't understand so you need to stop… You won't disrespect her because that's not what she deserves. She is too good of a person to be treated in the way you are speaking to her." Michael's fury is a beautiful thing when it's used to defend me…
"Josslyn you need to apologize to her… now…" Their mother is the one to put her foot down.
"I'm really sorry…" I just nod to her words because I'm not sure I want to react in an ambush. I look at Michael and he looks at me and I know he's sorry about this.
"Did you want some money to go hang out with your friends?"
"Mama gave me money but I'm not really up to it anymore…" Cata is really upset.
"Hey are you ladies ready to go?!" Cameron comes back and has no clue what he has walked into.
"Cam I think I'm going to pass…"
"What do you mean pass you were excited like five minutes ago Trina?" I wonder why Cameron is so invested on my sister…
"Catarina, ve a divertirte con tus amigos. Te prometo que estoy bien. Me toma más para romper." I move my sister's braids to behind her shoulders. I tell my sister what she needs to hear. Her friend apologized and she was put in her place and embarrassed in public by her own family.
"Supongo…" I can feel she does want to hangout with Cameron but that Josslyn don't know my sister well enough. Catarina can hold a grudge better than me.
"She will go Cameron…" Me saying this brings Cameron a smile that makes me think they are developing something more than just friendship and it's cute to see. The three are on there way.
"Mai…" I stick my hand out to stop Michael from going any further.
"Seguimos siendo amigos Miguelito..." I give him a smile that was only reserved for him and it brings a smile to him. "…It was nice to meet you Mr and Mrs. Corinthos. I will find those documents for you and get them to you soon." I start to wave goodbye when I hear Michael's mom asking mom if we dated and it makes his dad laugh and Michael is speechless. I wonder how Michael is going to explain that…
So did the GH board have half a brain and clear you to work? -Kiki
As a new addition to the GH staff I'd like to think they are a little smarter than that. -Mai
Yay! How are we going to celebrate?! -Kiki
Hmm how about we crack open a bottle while I grade quizzes and you study for your test. -Mai
You are such a non-fun BFF you know that right?! -Kiki
We got drunk last night! We have to buckle down because you can't fail your test and I refuse to be less than the best for my students… -Mai
I hate it when you are right… -Kiki
I knew you would be rational. -Mai
Let be known for the record it is reluctantly. -Kiki
Whatever I'll be home soon! -Mai