20. It’s What’s Right
Ali
A li paced outside Julia’s office. She didn’t know why she was so nervous. If she said no, then it was no big deal. She didn’t tell Jo she was inquiring, and no one would have to know the lengths she went to make it work.
She knocked on the door and waited for Julia’s voice. “You may enter,” she called. Ali peeked her head in, and Julia looked up, “Hey, Ali.”
“Is it a bad time? I can come back later.”
She waved off Ali’s concern. “I have a meeting in an hour, but besides that, I’m yours. What’s up?”
“Well, you know, Vincent Alvarez, right?”
Julia nodded. “I know him well. Sweet kid. Been keeping up on his chart. How’s he doing?”
“Overall, he’s doing well. He’s a little depressed, though. He’s missing his friends. His family works and tries to be here as often as possible, but I was thinking that it’d be nice for him to go out and get some fresh air, maybe go to the courtyard. I think he would find it relaxing and could aid in his recovery.”
She shrugged. “I don’t see any problem with that, as long as you’re out there to monitor him. You’ll have to get it signed off by HR, but I’ll approve it with them. Sounds like a good idea.”
She leaned in to grab her phone, probably to call HR, but Ali reached out and touched the phone, halting her. “There’s more. He has a dog, and his family lives about an hour from here, so it wouldn’t be really appropriate for them to bring the dog here, but I was thinking that maybe one of our nurses could bring their dog here. I think he needs to just see a little touch of what he’s missing from home. Would that be an issue?”
Julia arched an eyebrow. “I don’t know. Do you have a dog in mind?” She tilted her head. “I would assume it’s not associated with Johanna, right?” She crossed her arms, and Ali opened her mouth. “That might be misconstrued as favoritism again, and with us inching closer to you getting this job, I would hate for anything to jeopardize that.”
“It’s not Johanna,” Ali quickly replied. “The truth is this is why I thought it would be a good idea. It’s May’s dog. And I feel that it might wipe the slate clean of that ridiculous notion that I’m showing favoritism.”
Julia rocked back and forth her desk chair, pondering over it. “You really think this will be beneficial for Vincent’s recovery.”
Ali nodded. “I really think it would be. I’m not asking for it to be all day, just thirty minutes or an hour. It could be over my lunchtime. I just want to see a smile on his face. Besides, I think it would bring the nursing staff together. And it could boost morale.”
“Hmmmm…”
Ali knew that would ignite something in her, as Julia liked to look at the bigger picture and bring staff together. “What do you say, Julia?”
“Alright. If HR approves it, then I won’t stand in your way. But let’s see what they have to say.” She reached out for the phone, and Ali crossed her fingers, nearly holding her breath. “Hey, it’s Julia. So, my staff would like to get approval on bringing a dog to the hospital for emotional support for a patient. He’s missing home and they think that it could bring some benefits to him. It will just be over a lunch hour, and they’ll bring the dog out to the courtyard.”
Ali waited, hearing only one side of the conversation but hoping that they wouldn’t stand in their way. Julia made a few one-word responses, then finally thanked whoever was on the phone and hung up.
“There’s some stipulations,” she started. Ali felt the weight drop to her stomach. “The owner of the dog has to sign a form at HR stating the approval of allowing their pet to be involved.” Ali nodded, even though she knew it would be a lie when May signed the form, but if that was necessary, then so be it. “And I want to be there witnessing things, as well.” That was a little more than Ali wanted to agree to. They would have to be extra careful so Julia didn’t learn the truth of the real owner, but she would make it work.
“Not a problem,” she said.
“Okay, then you can do it Friday. Get that paperwork signed and let me know the plans on time.”
“Thank you, Julia.” She hurried out of the room before anything else could be said. She couldn’t wait to tell Jo the news. May stood at the desk and looked up when Ali rounded the corner. Ali put up a thumbs up, and May clapped.
“There’s a catch, though.” May sighed. “Not a huge one, but you have to go to HR and sign a paper stating that Maverick is coming here.”
“Consider it done.” She looked to the side and grinned. “And now we tell Jo the wonderful news.”
Ali turned as Jo approached them. “Why are you both grinning?” she asked.
“Well, we just cleared it with Julia so that Maverick could come to the hospital and visit Vincent.”
“What?” Jo asked, her mouth drawn into an O.
Ali nodded. “Just a few things we have to note, and then it’s a done deal. It will be this Friday over lunch. It will be in the courtyard and May will sign some paperwork, so it is all authorized.”
Jo frowned. “What? Why? Shouldn’t I be the one to sign the paperwork since it’s my dog?” She laughed. “Seems a bit strange.”
“Well, we’re getting to that point,” Ali continued. “You see, they think it’s May’s dog that’s coming to visit.” Jo furrowed her brows. “I can explain it all later, but we really need to keep the story straight. Do you have a problem with that?”
Jo slowly shook her head. “I guess not. I mean, I’m just ecstatic that he’ll be able to come. Maybe slightly disappointed, but it’s all good.”
Ali gave a weak smile. In due time, she would explain everything. What was important now was that they were going to help Vincent feel more at home, and, in the process, she’d see a smile on Jo’s face.
Friday at lunch, May and Jo went to pick up Maverick from Jo’s place. Ali stayed back, securing the surprise went off without a hitch.
Jo:
We’re here!
It was then that Ali knew her next steps. She went to Julia’s office and peeked her head inside. “The dog has arrived. I’m getting Vincent, and we’re heading outside for lunch.”
“I’ll be down in a bit,” she said. “Just have to finish up some things here.
Ali left and went to Vincent’s room. His mom was at his side. She was let in on the surprise, but Vincent didn’t have any idea what was to come.
“Hi, Vincent.” He looked up and gave a smile and a slight wave. “It’s a beautiful day outside, and I thought the fresh air would do you some good. Wanna go outside?”
“Yeah!” Ali was relieved by that. If he would have said no, that would have caused another battle. She got him unhooked from the machines and put him in a waiting wheelchair. “Are you coming, Mom?” he asked.
“Of course. I could use the fresh air, too.”
The three of them left the room and went to the elevator. The ride down to the lobby felt like a long one but the doors opened, and they went down a long hallway and to another set of doors that led out to the courtyard. Ali saw Jo, May, and Maverick first.
“Who’s that?” Ali whispered into his ear. He turned and his eyes widened when they came into view.
“What? How? Am I dreaming?”
The group of them laughed as Maverick was released to walk up to him. He reached out and patted his head, then rubbed behind his ears. “You’re so fluffy. Hello, boy! How are you?”
He then looked up at Jo. Ali swore she saw tears in his eyes. “You did this for me?” he asked.
“Well, I just knew that Maverick would want to meet you in person and look how excited he is.”
“It’s a beautiful dog, Johanna.” Ali turned and gawked at Julia. She stared straight at her.
“Thank you,” Jo muttered.
Julia turned her gaze to Flora and Vincent. They were both smiling so wide, and Maverick was wagging his tail with glee. “How are you doing?” Julia asked Flora.
She nodded, and tears were in her eyes. “Vincent needed this. I thank you and CAPMed.”
Julia smiled. “It was my pleasure to make this happen. But you have the rest of this group to thank. I can’t stay; I have a meeting coming up. But Ali, may I see you for a moment?”
Ali nodded and hung up her head as she followed after her. There went her promotion if not her job. They stopped just outside the doors, and Julia turned to her, crossing her arms before her.
“Why did you say it was May’s dog?” she asked. “That looks suspicious, you know.”
Ali sighed. “I didn’t want anyone to use this against Jo. I’m the one that asked. I was worried that, once again, I would be accused of favoritism and, frankly, wanted to stop that before it was even a possibility. I’m sorry I wasn’t honest, but it was what I felt was in the best interest of our patient. And look at him, he’s excited.”
Julia turned to where Vincent and Maverick were, and she nodded. “He is, and fortunately for you, that’s why I’m choosing to look the other way. But next time, you should be honest with me because this tends to look like you’re hiding it because there’s reason for concern.” Julia arched an eyebrow. “Just remember that.”
“I will.” Ali stood there for a moment before putting the question out there. “What about HR?” she asked. “Are you going to tell them that May signed the document, even though she shouldn’t have?”
She shook her head. “Frankly, that could make things even harder to deal with. She could get in trouble, and I wouldn’t want that to happen merely because she was trying to help a friend out. This will stay between us.” She turned on her heel and entered the apartment.
Ali turned to the group, and Jo was watching them. She wandered over, meeting Ali halfway. “Everything alright?”
“Yeah, of course,” she replied. She gave a soft smile. “Actually, it’s better than it was. I’ll explain it all later. Let’s just enjoy the rest of our lunchtime. I packed everyone some sandwiches, and they’re in a cooler over there.”
“You thought of everything, didn’t you?”
Ali saw the twinkle in Jo’s eyes. She tried to think of everything but wasn’t sure she really fulfilled that obligation.
“How about tonight you come over, and I’ll make us something to eat.”
“Sounds good. I’ll bring the dessert,” Ali whispered.
That got a smile on Jo’s face, and Ali knew it was time to tell her everything. No matter how difficult the conversation would be.