“Oh! Leave the hospital?” She sat back in her chair and thought for a few seconds. Did she really want to leave her job? But it would only be for a short time. And she would like to keep working with Gini. “Okay, I suppose I could leave for six months. That should be okay. I’ll talk to HR.” She wasn’t looking at anyone, more like talking out loud to herself.
“Why don’t we let Ms. Pierce have the weekend to check all of this out. We’ll talk again on Monday,” Robert said to Franco.
Dr. Young and Debbie would have to have a long conversation to make sure she knew what would happen if she left the medical center. He himself didn’t even know how that would all work. Was he willing to give up his right-hand lady?
Franco left, and Robert and Debbie went to Administration to see what her options were. After going through her file, the assistant told her that due to her long employment, a six-month leave of absence was doable, and she was totally vested and would still get her full benefits when she came back to the hospital. And, of course, she would retain her stock and part ownership of the medical center. She handed her a packet of paperwork for the leave of absence, and the health-care provider contract papers and guidebook. Debbie was thankful that her employers were so accommodating; she knew plenty of nurses who worked in hospitals that were not.
When Debbie returned to the ICU, Lisa was at the nurses station.
“Let me see your hands,” Lisa said. “Did they get slapped?” She had her arms folded in front of her; she swayed from side to side and giggled.
“No.” Debbie smoothed down a couple of Lisa’s flyaway hairs; she was serious and deep in thought.
“Debs, what’s wrong? You didn’t really get in trouble? No way!”
“Listen, Leesy, we’ll talk about it tonight.” She slid her hand down Lisa’s head and walked away.
Debbie and Lisa talked all weekend about the decision. Lisa understood why Franco wanted Debbie and remarked that for all his flaws, he knew good nursing when he saw it. She spent some time enjoying the compliment to Debbie but then began to think about herself.
“Will you be home on the weekends?” she asked.
“I don’t know if it would be the weekend. Says here, I’d work three days on, and off two days.”
“Good, we’d still have time together alone.” Lisa felt a flicker of anxiety. Debbie’s presence was so reassuring; all her problems seemed less when Debbie listened to them. And though their sex life wasn’t always red-hot, it was nurturing and familiar. Secretly, she found men more exciting, but Debbie knew how to please her, and Lisa was never afraid of being judged for her body or performance, which happened all too often with guys. Overall, she wasn’t sure if she was going to be happy with all of this. But six months wasn’t all that long, and they’d still see each other at the hospital.
Debbie could see the apprehension in both Lisa and Robert. For two days, she mulled over the decision. But each time she concluded that she wanted to be with Gini. She was so easy to teach. Would Gini have that same rate of success with a new therapist, or would she stop progress and have to start over? Or maybe just give up and stop altogether. Debbie couldn’t bear to think that could happen. Gini was too special to let go. She was being called to take care of Gini, and she had to do it. Lisa and Robert would surely understand and agree with her.
On Monday, Debbie had a long talk with Robert. He sat quietly and listened. He saw she was passionate about getting Gini on the right road and staying the course. He was sad to lose her, if only for six months, but he wasn’t too surprised she agreed to take the contract job. He guessed the good thing was they’d both still be handling Gini’s case, just in a different capacity. All his severe brain trauma patients were moved to other facilities with new personnel after his team issued their final evaluation. Knowing his team would be available to Debbie, he guessed the whole experience could be rewarding and educational for all of them. To work so closely with a rehab patient beyond their normal scope was an opportunity. There was so much to learn about a damaged brain, any new lesson would be appreciated. He smiled to himself, feeling better about the situation. Truth be told, deep down he was happy for her and Gini. That sweet young woman was turning people’s lives around, and she didn’t even know how powerful she was. He knew Gini was going to make great strides and have a good life after the intense therapy.
Arrangements were made for Gini to be moved into unit 4C as soon as she recuperated from her metal plate insertion.
Debbie had a couple of things on her mind. The one weighing the heaviest was Gini’s surgery. She was quite surprised she was so concerned. She hadn’t had such worry for any of her other patients. There had been many in her care over the years with severe head trauma, even children, and it was often heartbreaking. But there was something about Gini that touched her in a more individual way. While she was like an infant, needing to be taught how to live, she wasn’t a child at all; she was a woman. She had had a rich and successful life, full of love and purpose. And yet here she was, so helpless. It made Debbie aware of her own luck. She was in charge of her own life; she was young and strong and could help others. It was a gift, and somehow Gini,
