Chapter Four
Mira
First day of school is always hectic, especially for the school nurse, and today is no exception.
I’ve already had three fevers, two toes squished by books, a kid having a panic attack, and let’s not forget the one kid who whacked himself in the head with the locker.
That last one I called mom to come get, because I’m pretty sure he has a concussion.
Thankfully, it was almost my lunch hour, I needed a break to regroup before the second half of the day started.
Just as I’m about to grab my lunch box a girl walks in with her hoodie tied around her waist, her books firmly planted in front of her, and tears streaming down her face. She looks so broken, like she’s lost her best friend, and I instantly have the urge to give her a hug.
“Hey honey, what’s wrong? Come sit down here and tell me what’s going on.” She shakes her head at me when I tell her to sit.
“I...I can’t sit, it will make it worse.” She whispers with her head down.
“Okay, what will be made worse? Is it your stomach?” She has a death grip on her notebooks in front of her like a shield.
“They all saw it…all of them. I can never show my face here again.” Now I’m totally confused, whatever this kid has going on doesn’t sound like she needs a nurse.
“Alright, I’m sure whatever happened will be yesterday's news in no time. Don’t worry too much, people tend to forget quickly and move on to the next thing.
Do you want to stay here until your next period?
” At that question she starts sobbing. Did I break her?
I give into my first instinct and wrap her in a hug, letting her cry it out.
Whatever has her upset, she needs a shoulder to cry on right now.
I remember going to this same school, needing that same thing ages ago only there was no one to give it to me.
“You just let it out honey, I’m here. Ms. Gordan isn’t going anywhere until you are ready.” A torrent of tears and sobs erupt from her tiny body and my heart breaks for her. Eventually her sobs before nothing more than sniffles and she steps back.
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to blubber all over you.” Giving her a smile I step behind my desk once again.
“Quite alright, a good blubber every now and then is good for the soul. Now do you want to tell me what happened, or are you good to go back to class now?” Her face contorts into disgust and she shakes her head no.
“Um...I can’t go back to class. I um...I started my period.” Like a bolt of lightning, I now understand the hoodie tied around her waist and the notebooks covering her front.
“Oh honey, no worries. These things happen all the time, no one is going to remember tomorrow I promise. Let’s call mom and have her bring you a change of clothes and whatever you have at home to use. What’s your name honey?” Now that I know the problem, the solution is an easy one.
“Paisley Murphy, but...” Murphy, that last name gives me pause.
She can’t be related to him, there’s no way.
Fate wouldn’t be so cruel to me. It wouldn’t put me face to face with my ex-best friend and my high school crush or would it.
He was supposed to be serving his country, not living back in our hometown.
Looking up Paisley’s file I realize that fate can be that cruel.
Right there in black and white Finn Murphy’s name under parent information.
Fuck my life, he’s back in town and his daughter is attending the school I work at.
Lovely, just fucking lovely. I wish the floor would open up and swallow me whole right about now.
It’s not her fault her mom was a horrible backstabbing friend.
Savannah didn’t even know Finn existed until I pointed him out to her.
Then she decided she had to have him, even though she knew I had a crush on him.
Paisley doesn’t know that her father and I were inseparable all through elementary school and junior high, or that I dreamed of her dad asking me out all throughout high school.
No, she doesn’t know any of that, and she doesn’t need to.
I just need to do my job and act like this doesn’t cut me wide open all over again.
Smiling, I dial the phone number listed in Paisley’s file.
“Don’t worry honey, I’ll get mom to bring you some stuff soon.” Only it’s not mom who answers the phone, no, yet again fate is being a cruel bitch.
“Hello.” His gruff voice comes over the line and my heart rate instantly picks up. Down girl, he’s married with a kid now.
“Hi this is Ms. Gordan from the nurse's office, can I speak to Paisley’s mother please.” There’s a growl at the other end of the line.
“Is Paisley alright? I’m her father, is there something she needs?” Concern laces his voice.
“Paisley is fine, there is just a situation that would be better discussed with her mother if she is available.” There’s a sigh followed by a soft curse.
“Look Paisley’s mother is not here; I’m her father whatever the situation is you can discuss it with me.
” Clearly the military didn’t teach him any manners, I’m tempted to tell Mr. Grumpypants he can fuck right off when I look at Paisley standing there with tears still in her eyes.
This isn’t about me, this is about her. I remind myself.
“Yes, Mr. Murphy Paisley has started her period. Is there any way her mother can come bring her some clothes or come pick her up?” Silence greets me at the other end of the line followed by some heavy breathing.
“Mr. Murphy, are you alright?” I can hear grumbling on the other end, but I can’t make out the words.
“Everything’s fine, I’ll take care of Paisley. I just...I just need to figure out how to do that. Let me call my mom and then I’ll be there.” Why would he need to call his mom?
“I’m sure Savannah knows what to do, just have her come get Paisley.” It slips out before I can stop myself.
“If Savannah would, I would call her. Thank you, Miss, I’m sorry what was your name again.” He sounded pissed, like mentioning Savannah was against some unwritten rule.
“I’m Ms. Gordan, the school nurse. Paisley is right here in front of me and very uncomfortable.
Is there any way either you or your wife can come bring her some clothes and feminine products or just come pick her up?
” I hear Finn curse under his breath and then lots of slamming of objects on the other end of the phone.
“Mira Gordan is that you? Holy shit it’s been a while, but my ex-wife will probably not answer the phone if you call.
Please don’t tell Paisley that, I will be there shortly to pick her up.
In the meantime, I will see if my mom is available to help her out.
I just don’t know what she needs. I'd be afraid to buy the wrong thing. Any suggestions?” Holy shit he remembers me, holy shit he’s divorced, and holy shit he’s asking me for advice.
I think I swallowed my tongue for a minute.
“You know what Mr. Murphy, how about you come take Paisley home. I’ll send her home with something she can use until I get off work.
School is almost out. I can swing by and take her shopping for what she needs.
Unless your momma or her momma shows up to take care of it first. How does that sound?
” There’s a sigh of relief on the other end of the phone like I just removed the weight of the world off his shoulders.
“Mira, I could kiss you, that sounds like an excellent plan. Give Paisley your number so I can call if either my momma or Savannah shows up. I should have prepared for this, I knew it was coming I just kept hoping it wouldn’t come anytime soon.
Thank you for your help, I owe you dinner.
” The phone cuts off before I get a chance to tell him that’s not necessary.