Chapter Thirteen #2
“How are you feeling? Are you sure you’re ready to head to work so soon?
” Tiffany questions me as I grab my bag holding my lunch, keys, and everything else I’ll need for work today.
I got it all ready when I was cleaning up after an early breakfast so I’d have it.
Bryce helped me make my lunch last night and pack it so I don’t have to spend money at the hospital since I’ve been out of work.
“I’m ready. I need the money. You’ve been working for almost nothing because I haven’t been working.
I didn’t really need you here and you still chose to come be with me.
It’s time. I’ll have Luca with me and will only be working for four hours.
I’m also on light duty for the time being,” I tell her, making sure I have everything I’ll need.
“I think Rory’s teething or something. She’s still sleeping and had a rough night last night.
She didn’t feel warm when I fed her breakfast this morning, but that doesn’t mean anything.
If you need me to come home, call me and I’ll be right back.
Kreed will have his phone on him as well. ”
“Okay. I’ll keep an eye on her. I love your cast, by the way.
Knew you’d go with purple or black. I guess black wouldn’t allow Bryce to write his name on it though.
I’ll have to add my name near his before I head home today,” she tells me as Bryce starts jumping up and down in excitement once again.
“Have a good day at work and I’ll see you in a few hours. ”
Leaving the house feels harder than normal.
I’ve honestly enjoyed spending all day with the kids and knowing I was there for them instead of Tiffany or anyone else.
Growing up, I only ever wanted to be one of two things—a stay at home mom or a nurse.
Becoming a nurse won out because Darren and I needed the money.
We had goals we wanted to accomplish both separately and together as a family.
Working was a necessity and I did go to school for it so the choice was easy after I had Bryce and spent a few months home with him until I graduated.
I ’ve been at work for two hours now and I was right.
Dr. Stevenson stuck me on the desk doing the paperwork no one else wants to do.
I’ve gotten all the charts completed and filed away or sent to the correct departments, I’ve had everything signed that needed to be signed by our current patients, and I’ve made a coffee run for everyone.
Marcus isn’t here today thankfully and it’s made the day a lot easier to handle.
“Excuse me!” a man hollers, his voice echoing off the walls of the hospital ward. “My wife has been in here for hours and no one’s been in to see her yet. What the fuck is going on?”
Looking up, my heart stalls in my chest as I find Darren’s father standing in front of me.
His wife is at his side looking horrible compared to the last time I saw her.
She’s skin and bones and appears as if she hasn’t eaten in years.
I don’t know what’s wrong with her, but her body is covered in bruises that were never there before.
Darren’s dad never physically abused them.
It was all mental and emotional abuse. I mean, it doesn’t make it any less hurtful or damaging than physical abuse, but I never worried when Darren’s mom was in the house with his father alone.
I guess that was wrong of me to assume after all these years of no contact between us.
It seems as if his father has escalated his abuse to a physical nature.
Darren would be so heartbroken if he were still alive to witness the sight before me.
“We’re busy today and there’s only one doctor here.
He’s getting to each patient as quickly as he possibly can.
I’m sorry you’ve had a delay in treatment.
I will speak to Dr. Stevenson when he comes back out of a patient’s room,” I say, hoping this asshole doesn’t recognize me as I catch sight of Marcus walking toward me from the main entrance of the emergency department.
“That’s no fucking excuse,” Darren’s father yells as he finally looks at me. “Are you fucking kidding me? They let you have a job around people? You’re a damn murderer and don’t deserve to be walking free. I want to speak to your direct supervisor immediately.”
“I’m not a murderer,” I say, my voice barely a whisper as Marcus stops next to me and listens with rapt attention.
“You are a murderer. My son died because of you and that’s a fact.
He would still be alive today if you weren’t his wife.
Trapping him with two brats he never wanted in the first place.
Those fucking boys deserve to be sitting in a cell right next to you.
All three of you are responsible for Darren’s death and I’ll make sure you all rot in prison.
Right now, I’ll make sure you lose your job and don’t ever have a job in the medical field again,” Darren’s father says as Marcus stands up tall and listens intently.
“I’m one of her supervisors. You’re sure she’s a murderer? That she’s truly responsible for her husband’s death? Anything else you can tell me,” Marcus questions Darren’s father, fully invested in each word he’s about to spew.
“I have tons of stories to ensure she loses her job and you never have to deal with her again. Her son rarely sees her and has needed medical attention in the past that she ignored. Her daughter was born and my son wasn’t even allowed in the hospital room with her.
She’s been having an affair with two members of an outlaw motorcycle gang for as long as I’ve known her.
I can tell you so many other things she’s done over the years since she met my son.
This slut has done nothing but drag him down until he died,” Mr. Foster lies to Marcus as I watch a sinister smile cover his face while he turns his attention to me.
“That’s all a lie. I’ve never once denied my children medical attention when they’ve needed it.
The only piece of truth you said in that bullshit is that your son wasn’t allowed in the room when I had Rory.
He wasn’t at the hospital when I got there and when he finally did show up, he was so drunk he couldn’t remain standing.
As far as my relationships with Kreed and Caleb go, we’re best friends and they were Darren’s best friend as well.
I’m not sleeping with either one of them and never have.
They also aren’t in a gang. They’re in a motorcycle club that does several events a year for this town and would help anyone in need.
More than I can say for you as I take in all the bruises on your wife’s body.
Have you resorted to physical abuse now instead of the mental and emotional of the past. If anyone murdered Darren, it was you.
He wanted to follow in your footsteps and died while he was overseas fighting a battle.
I was nowhere near him. Kreed and Caleb didn’t kill him either.
Your son disobeyed a direct order,” I state, standing from my seat as Dr. Stevenson walks up to join this group of assholes and me.
“What the hell is going on here? I can hear the yelling in a patient’s room at the end of the hall,” Dr. Stevenson questions us as I look toward Marcus and wait for the bullshit lies to begin.
“I’ve just been informed of some information on Mrs. Foster we didn’t previously have.
She’s a murderer, has endangered her children by denying them medical attention, and is affiliated with an outlaw gang member.
I’m going to be terminating her pending a full investigation.
If she’s lucky, she might be able to leave the state and get a job at another hospital.
I’m hoping she loses her nursing license altogether,” Marcus says, as I look at Dr. Stevenson and wait for him to make the final decision about my fate.
“I’m sorry, Caliana. If these allegations are coming from a patient, we’ll have to suspend you until further notice.
I’ll personally lead the investigation into your case and Marcus will have nothing to do with it.
Marcus, you’ve already been terminated. I don’t know why you’re even here.
You’re not allowed to step foot on the premises without a call to me so security can escort you in the building to gather your belongings.
Security!” Dr. Stevenson calls out, as two large men show up and lead Marcus away while he shouts and yells about suing the hospital and making sure I pay for getting him fired.
I didn’t even know he’d been terminated while I was on medical leave. This is news to me but I can’t say I’m not happy someone finally did something to him.
“You won’t have your job after today either, Caliana,” Mr. Foster growls out before turning to the doctor next to me. “I’d like to also file a complaint that we’ve been here for hours and no one’s been in to see my wife. What the fuck kind of hospital is this?”
“I’m sorry to inform you that you’ve been waiting so long for someone to see you,” Dr. Stevenson says, his voice gentle and placating as he talks to Darren’s parents.
“If you’ll follow me, I’ll get you looked at immediately.
Caliana, please collect your things and see yourself out.
I’ll give you a call when I get further into the investigation and come to a decision.
If you have any proof to help yourself, send it over to me. ”
“I’ll do that,” I tell him, gathering my stuff and placing it in my bag.
I didn’t even go to my locker today because I had no need to change.
Dr. Stevenson said my button-down shirt and dress pants were good enough to wear today since I wouldn’t be working as a nurse and would be in a more administrative role.
By the time I’m done grabbing my stuff, Luca is at my side.
He tells me he overheard everything and doesn’t believe a word of it.
He knows I’m better than most others and would never deny my children anything.
Especially not medical attention. With my stuff in hand, I lead Luca from the hospital as we make our way out to my SUV.
Since my hand is still in a cast, I can’t drive so he’s driving me around.
He asks if I need to stop anywhere and I tell him no.
I just want to get back to Kreed’s house and relax with my children for the rest of the day.
I’m sure Sam and the rest of Caleb’s family will show up and demand to know what happened to me.
I’ll need my rest if I’m going to go over this shit with them.