The phone constantly dinging drags me out of peaceful sleep. I grunt lightly at the screen to bring it to life 1:04 pm. It's a stupid group message ughh.
Kelsey: Hey guys! Just a reminder about the 25th. I reserved a table for us at Diamond Bay restaurant for Lisa's birthday. 6pm!
Oh shit, that's right Lisa's birthday gathering, I completely forgot. Luckily it lands on my off week.
Char: can't wait! I need a girls' night with all this wedding planning
Lisa: Thanks again for doing this Kels, love you guys!
Violet: I'll be there
Loren: Yup I'll be there too
Me: count me in
Lindsay: ditto
Just like Charlotte said, I could use a night out with the girls too. A few more from work were invited as well but they either had to work or had prior plans.
I quite literally roll out of bed and rummage through the fridge to find something to eat. Everything is either expired, condiments, or unappetizing. Ultimately I settle for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I should take a selfie of me eating it and send it to mom. Speaking of mom I'm surprised she hasn't reached out yet to either lecture me or plead with me to let the animosity go.
After finishing my childish meal I shower and get ready for tonight's shift. I opt for navy scrubs that hug my figure and straighten my long blonde hair knowing that it won't last and I'll eventually be pulling it back and out of my way. I still have some time before I have to leave so I make a coffee, pull on, and zip up my gray North Face jacket all the way to the top. I open the sliding glass doors that lead to the balcony of my apartment. The plants I tried to keep alive all summer have withered to brown crunchy leaves. I sit at the two-person glass patio table and look out at the view of mountains in the far distance while the sun begins to set. The steam from my coffee mug is so prominent against the chilly October air. I take a sip, pull out my phone, and take a picture of the sunset. I start to Google Cole Carson and the first thing to pop up is "motocross superstar Cole Carson hospitalized after motorcycle accident. Details of his injuries are still unknown."
I decide not to click on the link for the article or go into all of that because I actually have the inside scoop about his injuries and how he's doing. There's a related search, Andrew Carson so I click on it. A picture shows a man probably early fifties, with gray stands in contrast against his dark hair along his hairline and oddly similar features to Cole. This must be his dad. As I go into it a little further my suspicions are confirmed and Andrew is in fact Cole's father. From what I briefly read Andrew Carson is the ceo of some sort of motocross company. Surely Andrew must know by now that his son is in critical condition. I wonder if he's come to the hospital yet, I'll have to ask Charlotte about it later.
When I arrive at work the sun has fully set and the lights from inside the building nearly illuminate every room that has a window. When I get to the third floor the elevator doors open and Mary Jean is sitting in a wheelchair rambling to herself.
"Hi Mary Jean, how are you today?" I ask politely.
She snobbishly extends her neck and lifts her chin away from me, "I told you to never talk to me again, you should be ashamed of yourself for being such a whore, God's judgment is upon you."
Not this again. She's spat this spiel at me before, I have no idea who she thinks I am but it's always best not to fight it, it'll only escalate things further. I walk away and she angrily calls out what I'm assuming are bible verses at me. It's amazing really how there is so much chaos happening in her brain but she can remember bible verses, god works in mysterious ways I tell ya. Dementia is a cruel disease, there are moments of clarity and moments of disarray. I often wonder what Mary Jean was like before it all took over. Maybe if her family came to see her oh, I don't know, ever, I could get a glimpse of who she was but I'm not holding out for hope on that one.
At the nurses' station, Chloe is talking to Roman, and she puts her hand on his arm evident that she's flirting. Heat burns at my cheeks and jealousy sears throughout my being. Nice play Chloe, blab to my sister about me liking Roman when in reality she's the one with stars in her eyes and drool practically dripping down her mouth.
Emerald eyes lock onto mine and I swear those eyes start at mine and slowly gaze down my body and back up to secure eye contact for a second longer than normal colleagues would have. The jealousy begins to abandon me because, did he just check me out?
"Jess, hey," Roman says as smooth as silk.
I smile at him, subconsciously tucking golden strands behind my ear, "hi."
Chloe is intently watching the exchange and I know she's compartmentalizing every interaction to deliver to Nicole. If I hadn't already had to be careful about what I do and say in front of Chloe I sure as hell need to be better at hiding it now, Nicole loves to get under my skin and I don't want her having any more leverage than she already has.