Imani
My phone is vibrating back-to-back in my pocket but my hands are full and I can’t answer yet.
Today, was my final cooking course at On the Table and we went out with a bang: Cajun Cornish hens with creamed corn maque choux and jambalaya rice.
I baked four hens and enough sides for DJ and Daymir.
We are having dinner tomorrow. It’s too late tonight.
It’s a school night and DJ is already in bed.
As soon as I place my food containers on my kitchen counter, I pull my cell out and see that the calls are from Mount Sinai-this late. It’s almost eight. Who is calling me from the hospital? I don’t have to wonder who called for long because it starts ringing again. So, I answer.
“Hello?”
Because I have no clue why she would be calling me and because I also don’t want to pretend like we are friends with pleasantries, I answer curtly. “Why are you calling me Karen?” I ask.
After clearing her throat, she says, “Because I wanted to provide you with an update on what’s going on here at the hospital.”
“No offense Karen, but you guys fired me. Why would you update me on anything there?”
“Because um…there’s been a development. Dr. Stetson is no longer a practicing surgeon here. We made the decision to part ways and concerning that w-”
“That you blamed me for his fuck up,” I say, interrupting her song and dance.
“Admittedly, we acted prematurely,” she utters. “And we would like to offer you the opportunity to return.”
Shocked.
Stunned beyond words.
Did she just really say that?
My words are caught somewhere between disbelief and my throat and I’m truly unable to speak. Even if I could, I don’t believe I know what to say, because what?
“Imani, are you still there?” she asks after my silence becomes apparent.
My voice slowly returns, words form, and they flow out cautiously. “I’m here but I’m not sure I understand you. You are offering me my job back?”
“Not your exact job but yes. We have an opening for a CVOR certified surgical tech, day shift.”
“Cardiovascular?” I confirm although I know exactly what is CVOR. I’m just still in shock, processing her words.
“Yes. You have extensive experience in cardiovascular, correct?”
“I do.”
“Right. Which is why we thought you might be interested in the opening. Of course, your severance will not be impacted. That’s your money to keep.”
“What about my benefits?” I ask. My brain is now fully accepting what’s happening so, my thoughts are clear.
I’m being offered my dream job back.
Dr. Fuck-up Stetson finally got what he deserved.
And I get to keep my severance.
This is really happening.
“The same benefits: full medical, dental, and vision, fifty percent match of 401k up to eight percent, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, and two weeks of paid time off accrued on your start date.”
“And when are you looking for me to start?”
“Next week; Monday actually.”
The end of the year is the busiest time for surgeries.
Most patients have paid out their deductibles and they try to schedule all surgeries before the new year and restart of deductibles.
Surgical calendars are jammed packed November and December and I do not miss that.
I also have the advantage here. Clearly, they know Dr. Stetson was at fault.
She admitted it. He probably did something else wrong in the operating room.
I could talk if I wanted to and that would not be a good look for the hospital that kept him on after the incident involving me. So, I try my hand.
“I’m still processing how unfairly I was treated and to hear that he’s gone now, kind of makes it worse. I need more time. How about I start Monday, January the third,” I say after opening my calendar.”
“Next year?” she questions timidly.
“Yes. January the third.”
“I don’t…I’m going to have to talk to my boss.”
“You do that and I’m going to weigh my options now too. I might have some now since the hospital clearly knows Dr. Stetson was an issue. Of course, I won’t need those if I return,” I tell her, alluding to possibility of me consulting an attorney.
“Well, I’m sure we might be able to accommodate you. Let me talk to Bryan. I can have you an answer by tomorrow afternoon,” she says.
“Tomorrow afternoon is fine but I would need an offer in writing at that time if he agrees.”
“Of course. Let me talk to Bryan. You will hear from me tomorrow for sure.”
“Great. Talk to you then,” I say before ending the call.
“I got my damn job back!” I scream. “Yes, bitch! Yes!” I’m so excited I don’t know what to do.
I start to put my food pans in the fridge but stop.
I walk to my bar to pour a drink but spend too much time contemplating on what to damn pour.
I abandon that idea and walk back into the kitchen.
I need to tell somebody and the first person that comes to my mind is Daymir.
“Hey, beautiful,” he answers on the first ring.
“Hey.”
“I’m hanging up. I want to see you,” he says then ends the call. A FaceTime request happens almost immediately. “Better,” he says when I answer. “Now, what’s up? You’re smiling too damn hard to not be with me.”
“You’re not going to believe this. The hospital just called and offered me a new job!” I exclaim.
“Real shit?”
“Yes.”
“Damn. Baby. Congratulations. We have to celebrate.”
“We can tomorrow when I bring dinner over.”
“Nah. More than that. A real celebration, just us two. On some sexy grown folk’s shit.”
“But what about DJ?”
“You let me handle everything. I got him and you. When you going back?”
“Not until the new year. I want to take these two months and just enjoy myself. I might take another cooking course. I really enjoyed this one and picked up some new recipes. Who knows. I’m just going to relax, have fun, and do me.”
“And hopefully do me too,” he says with a sexy smirk on his handsome face.
“You’re always part of my agenda.”
“I like that.”
“I hope you like more than that.”
“You already know I like everything about you. You even got my son all in love with you. He won’t eat shit I cook but my Phillies and he wants you here every day,” he says and I’m pretty sure my cheeks are red.
“You know I love him. He’s so sweet.”
“What I got to do to make you love his daddy?” he asks and I pause for a moment.
Doesn’t he know that I love him? I know I haven’t said the words.
Hell, neither one of us have but what else can this be.
I opened up to him about my brother. I want to be around him all the time.
If I’m not here, I’m at his place. He’s the first person I wanted to tell my news too and I can’t see myself with no other man. I’m already in love.
“Does his daddy want me to love him?” I ask just to play along.
“Hell, as much as he loves you, I would say hell yes,” he admits and yeah, I’m blushing, hard.
“I’m glad to hear that because I love you too.”
“Then, we have two things to celebrate. What are we going to do?”
“You’ll see. Now, tell me about your new job.”
With a smile etched on my face, I grab my phone and two of my 7Days soft vanilla croissants from the pantry then walk to my living room. While eating my sweet treat, I get comfortable on my loveseat, then lean back and talk to the man I love about CVOR surgeries.
“What’s the weather like there?” my mom asks and I look at my weather app.
“Forty-seven now but the high is going to be fifty-eight. It’s going to be a nice day. What about there?”
“About the same but everyone says that this isn’t normal.
They say it’s usually a little warmer this time of the year.
The cold normally doesn’t set in until November.
I have the window open in the kitchen and it feels good.
I don’t need an AC or heater. But why are you calling so early? Are you at the hospital?”
“No. I’m off today,” I say, telling a half truth.
My parents still don’t know that I was fired because I really didn’t want them worrying about me.
But now, I don’t have to tell them at all.
Yesterday, Karen called me back and I received and signed my written offer for the CVOR Surgical Tech position.
I’m returning to Mount Sinai in January with an eight thousand dollar a year raise.
“So, what’s on your agenda for the day?” she asks.
“Nothing but laundry for now,” I tell her. Hopefully, I’m seeing Daymir later. He has some business to take care of at the warehouse this morning so laundry will occupy my time while he’s working. “Where’s daddy?”
“At Publix, getting us some fresh fruit. Those moon and cotton candy grapes he likes are in season and I’m going to make a fruit salad.”
“Well, tell him to call me when he gets back.”
“I will, baby. Get some rest. You work too much.”
“I’m resting a lot. I love you,” I say.
“Love you, too.”
When I end the call, I sit up in my bed then turn on my television.
My mom is right; it’s still kind of early.
It’s not even nine yet so I’m in no hurry to wash my clothes.
I’m still basking in the aftermath of last night.
Daymir and DJ came over for dinner and afterwards, Daymir put me to sleep in the most beautiful and nastiest way.
When they left around six, I didn’t bother to move and I don’t want to move now.
As I scroll through my apps to see what I want to watch, my cell vibrates. It’s Hazel texting.
Hazel: gm. Are you going to the track today?
Me: gm. Not today. Chilling until Daymir is off. Are you?
Hazel: No. Working too but we need to link up this week sometime. I think we need to start a car club here in CF.