Leanne is partway through her shift when she wanders to the triage desk. She's wearing her hair in a ponytail. Her Angels jacket covers her navy scrubs. She looks up, and finds Ariel sitting at the desk wearing a polo, and a pair of khaki's. She furrows her brow.
"What are you doing out here?"
"Working," Ariel replies.
"Since when do candy stripers sit at the clerk's desk?"
"Since I am a clerk."
"What are you talking about?"
"I was hired for the clerk job."
"When?"
"Two weeks ago. This is the first time since orientation that the ER hasn't been in code black."
"Who hired you?"
"Dr. Campbell hired me."
"What do you mean Dr. Campbell hired you? How did he hire you?"
"You signed the appropriate paperwork. I explained to him that I needed paid employment."
"Why do you need paid employment?"
"To pay my court fees."
Someone calls for Dr. Rorish from behind. "We'll talk about this when we get home."
At home Ariel actively avoids Leanne. She eats her dinner as slowly as humanly possible. She then proceeds to take 92 years to shower. Leanne leans against the wall until she comes out.
"Were you taking the maiden voyage of the Santa Maria in there?"
"No. I was avoiding you."
"Obviously. Look, whatever you've done this time, just tell me."
"Do you remember all that paperwork that you signed for school?"
"I remember signing it. It seemed excessive."
"I'm sorry for not being more transparent with you."
"About what?"
"I just knew you would say no."
"To what?"
"The school has an option for juniors, and seniors to attend classes at a local university, or technical school."
"The last thing I want is for you to be running around a college campus."
"I know that. That is precisely why I will be going to the technical school."
She shakes her head, "What are you talking about?"
"It's a two year program, and I can earn my certificate in nursing by the time I graduate. It will take another year after that to get my associates degree to be an RN, but…"
Leanne waves wildly as she follows Ariel into her room. "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! You want to go to nursing school? Where is this coming from?"
"If my juvenile record is not expunged I may not be able to become a doctor."
Leanne's heart sinks as she watches helplessly as her daughter brushes her wet hair. She takes a seat on the bed, and reaches for Ariel's arm.
"Let's not worry about that right now."
"I have screwed up a lot. I just want to show you that I can succeed at something."
"Ariel, I just want you to be a kid."
"I'm not like other kids my age. I wish that I was, but I'm not. I need to do this, for me."
"Is this what you need money for?"
"I got a job as a clerk so I could pay for my books."
Leanne gently touches her face, "Ariel, I'll buy your books."
"I just need you to see that I can be responsible. I know that our trust is broken. I'm sorry."
"Oh, sweet girl. What am I going to do with you?"
"Bake me brownies, and take me to buy my books after school tomorrow?"
"It's a deal."
Two days later Jesse rolls up to the nurse's station as Leanne is signing off a chart.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yes."
"Did you know anything about my daughter hatching a nefarious plan to go to nursing school?"
He smirks, "Yes, and I told her that she needed to be upfront with you."
"I'm just trying to figure out how she managed to get accepted with her legal woes."
"I think she might have needed a couple of letters of recommendation, perhaps."
"You wrote her a letter of recommendation without mentioning it to me first?"
"Leanne, I wrote her a letter of recommendation when she applied in May. I thought she would have told you by now."
She furrows her brow, "She was planning this before everything happened?"
"Yes."
"Do they know about her legal charges?"
"They do. Trespassing is not a serious enough crime for them to deny her entry to the program."
"Trespassing? She was charged with breaking and entering."
"Do you not communicate with her?"
"What are you talking about?" Her brows arch.
"She accepted a plea to reduce her charges to trespassing. She has a fine to pay, and six months of probation. They agreed to expunge the charge once she turns eighteen as long as she doesn't commit any other crimes. How else do you think she managed to get hired at the hospital?"
"I assumed you vouched for her."
"No. Dr. Campbell hired her on her own merit. I guess he believes in second chances."
"Are you implying that I don't?"
"I'm just saying that keeping her under lock and key isn't going to do her any favors."
"Jesse…"
He shakes his head, and gently touches her sternum, "You're going to have to let your heart give that girl a chance. You're the only one who can win back her trust."
"It is a two way street."
He nods, "Yeah, but you're her mom, so the burden falls on you. You signed on the dotted line, and for better or worse she's yours. Show her that it is for better."