A professional,' I said. 'You just don't like therapists. Bunch of quacks who promise to help but don't come through.'
Her head jerked back. The hat bobbled and one hand shot up to keep it in place.
'You don't know me,' she said. 'You don't know anything about me.'
'That's true,' I lied. And that's become a problem for Cassie.'
'That's' 'Your behaviors getting in the way of her care, Vicki. Let's not discuss it out here anymore.' I pointed to the nurse's room behind the station.
She slammed her hands on her hips. 'For what?'
A' 'You have no right.'
Actually, I do. And the only reason you're still on the case is through my good graces. Dr. Eves admires your technical skills but your attitude's getting on her nerves, as well.'
'Right.'
I picked up the phone. 'Call her.'
She sucked in her breath. Touched her cap. Licked her lips.
'What do you want from me?' Trace of whine.
'Not out here,' I said. 'In there, Vicki. Please.'
She started to protest. No words came out. A tremor surged across her lips. She put a hand up to cover it.
'Lets just drop it,' she said. 'I'm sorry, okay?'
Her eyes were full of fear. Remembering her final view of her son and feeling like a louse, I shook my head.
'No more hassles,' she said. 'I promise--I really mean it this time. You're right, I shouldn't have mouthed off Its because I'm worried about her, same as you. I'll be fine. Sorry. It won't happen again.'
'Please, Vicki.' I pointed to the nurses room.
I swear. Come on, cut me a little slack.'
1 held my ground.
She moved toward me, hands fisted, as if ready to strike. Then she dropped them. Turned suddenly, and walked to the room. Moving slowly, shoulders down, barely lifting her shoes from the carpet.
The room was furnished with an orange Naugahyde couch and matching chair, and a coffee table. A phone sat on the table next to an unplugged coffee maker that hadn't been used or cleaned in a long time.
cat and puppy posters were taped to the wall above a bumper sticker that read NURSES DO IT WITH TENDER LOVING CARE.
I closed the door and sat on the couch.
'This stinks,' she said, without conviction. 'You have no right I am calling Dr. Eves.'
I picked up the phone, called the page operator and asked for Stephanie.
Wait,'' she said. Hang up.' I canceled the page and replaced the receiver. She did a little toeheel dance, finally sank into the chair, fiddling with her cap, both feet flat on the ground. I noticed something I hadn't seen before: a tiny daisy drawn in nail polish marker, on her new badge, just above her photo. The polish was starting to flake and the flower looked shredded.
She put her hands in her spreading lap. A condemned-prisoner look filled her face.
'I have work to do,' she said. 'Still have to change the sheets, check to make sure Dietary gets the dinner order right.'
