Chapter Eight
Tonight is the big street dance to celebrate Wheaton Days, but I took Joe’s advice and have been working all week to create a fun experience for the nursing home residents. I’ve had a lot of help, too. We’re going to have a little dance of our own. It won’t be the same, especially since many of the people here aren’t mobile. But we’ll be playing oldies music, have decorations, and serve Root Beer Floats.
“Will,” I say, holding a streamer above my head. “Can you help me hang this? I can’t quite reach the nail.”
“No problem, Birdie,” Will says. “I’m on it.”
He takes the streamer from my hand and effortlessly loops it along the archway to the cafeteria. I’m starting to get to know the staff here, and they are a great group of co-workers. Will is about my age, also from South Dakota, and he’s worked at the care center as an RN for over a year. I’ve gravitated toward another RN who is probably ten years or so older than me, Lucy. My favorite shifts are the ones we’re all together.
“This looks great,” Will says, hands on his hips, taking it all in.
“It really does.” I straighten the banner announcing the first annual Wheaton Days nursing home dance. “I’ll get the speaker ready. The residents should be here soon.”
Bedtime at the nursing home is early, so our dance goes from six until eight, ending when the real street dance is set to begin. I get the music prepared, and Lucy is behind the table with coolers ready to serve the floats. The staff go to the rooms to see who wants to come and bring everyone to the lobby where the party is. We also asked the residents to invite their families.
“This is great,” Joe says. “Good music.”
“Thanks for the idea,” I say. “Tonight is because of you.”
“It’s about time some fun happened around here.” A smile extends across his face. “There’s my Betty.”
“Birdie.” Sunny comes up to me, Sis at his side. “Everything is perfect. This is the place to be. Forget the street dance.”
I laugh. “I agree.”
The line forms for floats, and some of the residents dance along to the music. Sunny swings Sis around, and the moves come to her without thought. I’m always amazed at what Sis remembers.
A slower song comes on, and people flood to the makeshift dance floor.
“Care to dance?” Will puts his hand out to me.
“Oh, I don’t—”
“Dance with the guy,” Joe says, pushing me toward Will.
“Yes, dance.” Abigail smiles from a chair on the other side of the room.
“The people have spoken,” Will says. He smiles as I give in and place my hand in his.
“We pulled it off,” I say. I grip his shoulder, and he squeezes my waist.
“You pulled it off.” Will stares at me. “I don’t know how you manage to have all the energy for stuff like this in addition to your nursing job.”
“It’s all worth it to see the smiles on everyone’s faces.” I look around and immediately lock eyes with Liam, who is in a chair next to Sis, leaning back, one leg crossed over the other. He raises an eyebrow as if he’s asking me a question. I shake my head and turn my attention back to Will.
“Thanks for the dance,” I say as the song ends. “I should probably go see if everyone has gotten a float.”
Will smiles. “Thank you, Birdie.”
“How are we doing on ice cream?” I ask, walking over to Lucy.
“We’re short, but I think everyone who wants some has been served. And there’s only thirty minutes left anyway.”
I glance at my watch. “Wow. Time has flown.”
“You and Will, doing a little dancing.” Lucy shakes her hips, and I swat her.
She throws her head back and laughs.
There are plastic cups everywhere, so I work to get everything cleaned up. People still dance, and I smile at Liam dancing with his Grandma Sis. He towers over her petite frame, and she rests her head against his chest as they sway to the music.
At eight on the dot, the staff and I work to get the residents back to their rooms, in their pajamas, and their meds administered. Everyone is tired from the festivities. I go to check on Abigail, and she’s sound asleep.
I’m working another overnight because one of our RNs quit without notice. I’m going to need to say something to my mom, but she’s been so stressed about the state of the nursing home that I haven’t wanted to burden her with the fact that I’m working nearly eighty hours a week.
I go to the lobby after my night checks so I can start disassembling the decorations, and Liam is out there, taking down streamers.
“What are you doing?” I ask, tugging on the banner. “I can hear the music down the street. Aren’t you going to the dance? I hear there are a lot more people born in your decade there.”
He looks at me over his shoulder. “I may pop in later, but I thought you could use some help.”
“I appreciate that.” I jump and grab one of the dangling streamers.
The teardown goes quickly with Liam’s help. When everything is in a box, I collapse in a chair. My body is tired and broken down. Liam sits next to me and swivels so he’s facing me.
“Tonight was great, Birdie.” Liam kicks his foot out and taps it against mine.
“These residents deserve it,” I say. “To see the smiles on their faces. It made it all worth it.”
Liam glances at the door. “Any interest in getting changed and going to the street dance?”
“What?” I look down at my scrubs. “You don’t like my outfit?”
He smiles. “Come on. I can drive you home, you can put on actual clothes, and we could be there in thirty minutes.”
“Unfortunately, I’m working an overnight.” I blow out a breath.
“Is it just me or are you always working?”
“I’m always working,” I say. I look around, then lean closer to Liam and rest my head on my hand. “Can I trust you?”
Liam rolls his eyes but nods.
“The nursing home isn’t doing well. My mom has spent her career coming in and improving things. But this one may be too far gone. We’re worried it won’t survive.”
Liam nods and bites at his thumbnail. “What does that mean?”
“Without staff, we can’t take on more residents. And without more residents, we can’t pay our staff. There’s a major cash flow issue. And I don’t know. I actually like it here, but the only thing keeping me here is a nursing home at risk of closing.”
“What would happen to the residents?” Liam leans forward.
“We’d have to reassign them to other homes,” I say. “I shouldn’t even be telling you this. If you tell your—”
“Birdie.” Liam holds his hand up. “I said you can trust me.”
“Okay.”
“You like it here?” Liam narrows his eyes.
“I do.” I smile. “Actually, I love it here.”
“Love is a strong word.”
“Wheaton is cute, and the people are great,” I say, as Liam and I keep inching forward. “It seems like you can’t wait to leave. Why’d you come in the first place?”
Liam leans back and puts his hands behind his head. “I was laid off from my job in New York. I couldn’t afford my rent without a steady income, so I decided to come here while I’m looking for jobs. But as soon as I have one, I’ll go back to the city.”
“I’m sorry about the job,” I say. “That really sucks.”
Liam nods. “My options were moving in with my parents, who live in the Chicago area. But you’ve met my dad.” Liam chuckles. “My other option was to stay in the Bergland cottage for the summer. It was an easy choice.”
“Hmm.”
“I’ve always been close to Camilla and now Jake. Dax is one of my best friends, and, well, my grandparents are here. Plus, I can live cheaply while I get back on my feet.”
“But you couldn’t see yourself here?”
He scrunches his face up. “Hell no. I loved the city, walking down the block to the market, and eating at good restaurants. I didn’t go to many shows, but I loved that I could if I wanted to. What do you like about Wheaton?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I have no ties to my hometown now that my grandparents have passed away and we’ve sold the ranch. I didn’t love my college town. Yeah, I can’t get Indian food at the drop of a hat, but the people here have been really nice to me. That’s all I care about.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Liam says.
“For me, it’s the people. I’ll live anywhere for the right people.”
“I hear you.” Liam nods as if he’s thinking. “My cousin Robby and his wife Jenna were in the city. And the girls there. You have no idea. You’d do great there too, Birdie. You have this girl-next-door thing going on that men would go crazy for.”
I grab a throw pillow and toss it at him. He catches it mid-air and laughs.
“It sounds like you have it all figured out,” I say, biting my bottom lip. “But the thought of me living in New York City is laughable.”
“As soon as I get a job, I’m on the first flight out of here.”
We sit for a moment, both of us resting our heads on our hands, comfortable in the silence.
“Hi, Birdie girl.” We both turn as my mom walks into the lobby. I was so lost in our conversation, but now, as I glance at the clock, I realize we’ve been out here talking for two hours. “Hi, Liam.”
“Hi, June,” he says. “Great party tonight.”
“I can take zero credit,” my mom says, smiling. “It was all Birdie.”
“You headed out for the night?” I ask.
“Yes, and I’m sorry you’re doing another all-nighter. We have to get you fewer hours.”
She looks at me, then at Liam.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” my mom says. “Goodnight, Birdie. Liam.”
I glance over my shoulder, and she winks at me as she opens the door.
“You should get to the street dance and stop boring yourself hanging out here.”
Liam grabs his phone and sighs. “I’ve missed about twenty calls from Dax. I suppose I should get out of here.”
“And I should go do the job they’re paying me for.”
Liam nods, pats his lap, and gets up. He holds his hand out to me and pulls me up.
“May the rest of your evening be uneventful,” Liam says.
“And may yours be the opposite.”
Liam chuckles and walks toward the door. He puts in the code, then turns to me.
“Hey,” he says. “Is that male nurse working an overnight tonight?”
“No.” I shake my head. “Why?”
“No reason.” Liam smiles. “Goodnight, Birdie.”