The Nurse Novel

by Alice Brennan

  While Merry waited, she held two fingers lightly on his pulse, and her eyes checked his respiration while she appeared to be looking vaguely at the two buttons on the top of his pajamas.

  When she drew out the thermometer and held it up to the light, Pierson asked thickly, “Okay, okay, what does it read?”

  Merry decided to laugh at him. “One hundred and fifty-five, Mr. Webb,” she said.

  He lunged forward and jerked the thermometer from her hand before she knew what he was doing. In the fierceness of his thrust and Merry’s instinctive pull backwards, the thermometer fell from both their grasps and splintered on the tile floor.

  Mai gave her harsh, derisive laugh, “Now sweetie,” she said to Pierson, “look what you’ve done. And even if you hadn’t broken it, what good would looking at it have done you? Who can read a thermometer?”

  Miss Carey, the private nurse assigned to Pierson’s room, came in and stood to one side, watching silently.

  Merry stood holding the broom and the dustpan of glass. She looked at the other nurse. “Do you want help in getting him dressed?” She carefully avoided looking at Pierson who had not said a word.

  The older nurse shook her head and Pierson growled loudly, “I can do my own dressing. I’ve done it now for a good many years. I don’t need any female to help me put on my pants!”

  Mai laughed. “He’s showing his masculinity now,” she said.

  Merry didn’t even look towards the sound of Mai’s voice. She hadn’t allowed herself to become angry with Pierson Webb. He was a patient, he was ill, and he was accustomed to having his own way.

  She emptied the dustpan and put it back into the supply closet. When she saw Pierson Webb again, he was sitting in a wheel chair in front of the elevator, waiting to be taken down to the main floor.

  She stopped beside his chair. “Good-by, Mr. Webb.”

  He looked up at her, a frown drawing his thick brows closer together. “About that private nurse thing,” he asked, “you thought it over?”

  Merry said gently, “In a few days, Mr. Webb, I don’t think you’re going to need a private nurse.” She allowed a ghost of a smile to touch her lips. “From what I’ve observed, you’re going to be plenty able to take care of yourself.”

  She saw that what she’d said pleased him. He nodded. “And as soon as I get my strength back I’m going to give a party, a big whale of a party. I’m going to show everybody Pierson Webb isn’t the dying kind.” His eyes narrowed on her face. He said, with sudden resolve, “If I ask you, will you come?”

  Pity again choked Merry’s throat. She said lightly, “Ask me.”

  Mai, who had come up behind Pierson’s chair said harshly, “And do wear your uniform, darling. You’ll be a sensation among all of those over-dressed women.”

  Merry flushed and said icily, “I do have other clothes besides uniforms, you know.”

  Mai’s eyebrows shot upwards. “Do tell?” she said. And then in a lower tone, “Don’t plan on being escorted by a certain young attorney. He’s very private property, in case you didn’t take the first warning.”

  Merry flushed and turned away. She was shaking with anger as she made her way down the corridor. “That awful, awful woman!”

  * * * *

  When she left the hospital that night there were no reporters to avoid. But a white Jaguar was parked by the curb.

  Arch Heller, in the perennial dark glasses, reached across and swung the car door open for her. “Pick-up service,” he said. “Also delivery wagon. I’ve got the back ledge full of steaks. Tammy said it was your night to cook, so let’s be on our way. And I like my steaks well done…very well done.”

  Merry slid into the seat and pulled the door closed behind her. “This is nice,” she said, settling back against the upholstery with a sigh.

  But Arch’s next words spoiled everything. “What’s with you and Jeff?” he asked.

  Merry sat up straight. “What do you mean ‘what’s with me and Jeff?’”

  “Just that,” he said, grinning. “Natalie Pries called him to ask about the same thing. I just wondered.”

  Chapter Eight

  Merry said fiercely, “Well, you can just stop wondering. Jeff’s very attractive. We’ve had a few dates. That’s all there is, there isn’t anymore. And if anyone thinks I’m falling in love with the guy…”

  Arch pulled the car to a stop in front of the apartment building. “No need to get so vehement about it,” he said gently. “So okay, you aren’t about to fall for the guy.” He handed her a brown paper bag with the neck of a bottle sticking out of it. “Champagne,” he grinned. “Imported. I’m doing this up big. Hollywood style, you know. And afterwards…” he leered at her.

  Merry laughed, and walked ahead of him into the building.

  When they had climbed the last step, he said, “You really need an elevator in this building. This is practically a disaster area.”

  Merry was entirely unsympathetic. “It’s good exercise,” she said. “You don’t want to let yourself get flabby, do you?”

  Arch ignored the thrust. “Give me the name of your landlord. I’ll have to speak to him about this.”

  Merry, turning the key in the lock of the door, said, “He’s got a grim secretary. Very grim. You wouldn’t get past her desk. She’d think you were crazy and call the police on you. You really are crazy, you know.”

  Arch said lightly, “Of course. Isn’t everyone?” He followed her into the apartment and set the steaks on the first convenient counter. “Now remember,” he said, “very well done. Jeff likes his medium rare. He said to be sure to tell you.”

  Merry turned to stare at him. “Who cares how he likes his steaks?” And then, stumbling slightly over the words, “He’s coming here tonight?”

  Arch nodded. “He’s coming.”

  Merry said, “Where I come from, it’s customary to ask a girl first, instead of barging in on her.”

  Arch said gently, “It’s Tammy’s party. She invited him.”

  Merry flushed. She felt quite silly. Now why had she made such a fuss over Jeff’s coming to dinner? She had probably led Arch to believe there really was something between them.

  She shook back her hair, and blew upwards, in an attempt to cool her face. She said carefully, “You can wipe that silly grin off your face, because there is nothing between me and Jeff Morrow. And there never will be.”

  She took a deep breath to steady her voice. “I had it once, Arch,” she said, her eyes serious, “and I’m not about to go through that again. Not with Jeff…not with any man.”

  He shook his head. “You aren’t going to let one bad break floor you,” he said. “You chalk the bad ones up to experience and let it go at that. I know. I’ve had experience myself in that area.”

  He took the sack she was holding and set it down next to the steaks. He laid his hands gently on her shoulders and grinned at the look she gave him. “Hey,” he said, “don’t go looking like that. I’m not about to make a pass at you.” He sighed and took his hands away. “I wish Tammy were more like you,” he said. “Couldn’t you rub some of yourself off on her? Then I could really go for her.” He sighed again, “She thinks I’m a sure fire ticket to Pierson Webb. I’ve told her Pierson doesn’t let anyone tell him his business, and if I tried to, he’d simply have me kicked out of his office.” He shrugged and spread his hands wide. “She won’t listen to the truth. What do you do with a gal like that?”

  Merry shook her head. She thought, “You just go along liking her, I guess, and hope she doesn’t get kicked too hard.”

  Arch said, “What she really needs is to get married to a guy who’s the boss and who makes her know it and like it.”

  Merry giggled, “Tammy should just hear you say that.” She shooed him out of the kitchen. “Busy yourself doing something. Set the table for me; ice the champagne. Find s
omething to do while I change.”

  “Hey,” Agnes’ voice called from the other room, “who owns the flashy car downstairs?”

  Merry stood beside Arch and looked at Agnes. “Are you kidding? she asked. “Arch Heller. Who else?” She frowned suddenly. “Oh,” she said, “you haven’t met Arch, have you?”

  After the introductions were made, Arch shook his head. “You don’t have the proper look of awe,” he chided. “Don’t you know I’m a very important guy? And this is Hollywood?” He leaned towards her, leering. “Don’t you want me to help you get into the movies or something?”

  Agnes stared at him for a moment, then laughed. Merry flashed her a grin. “He’s a kook,” she told her. “And entirely harmless.”

  Arch fell backwards, clutching both hands to his heart. “That cut me to the quick,” he said. “That was a Brutus stab.”

  He gave up clowning for the moment and frowned at Agnes. He said, “Haven’t I seen your picture someplace? Were you a pin-up girl or something?”

  Agnes laughed and started for the bedroom to change out of her uniform. “Who’d want to pin me up?” she said.

  He continued shaking his head after her. “I wasn’t kidding,” he told Merry. “I really have seen her picture someplace.” Suddenly he snapped his fingers. “Hey,” he said, “I’ve got it. There’s this friend of mine who’s a resident at Mt. Mercy hospital. He’s got her picture on his dresser. I swear it’s her, younger maybe, but it’s her.”

  Merry shook her head and said firmly, “It can’t be Agnes. She came from Ohio and she’s only been in California for six months.”

  Arch shrugged. “Maybe,” he said. “Most brunettes look alike anyway, just like blondes.” He glanced around the living room. “Where’s this table you want me to set?”

  Merry showed him how to pull it out from the wall. “It’s going to be a little cramped,” she said. “It’s not meant to seat five people.”

  He grinned at her. “Who cares when the person you’re cramped against happens to be a beautiful gal?” He looked at her. “Hey,” he said, “I’ve just got a whale of an idea. Do you know how much residents make? Peanuts. I’ll bet old Harvey hasn’t taken a girl out in years. I mean really out, and I’ll bet he hasn’t put his teeth into a steak since the last time I treated him to one, and that was six weeks ago. Let’s invite him tonight. It’s not right for you and Tammy to have a guy to admire you, when Agnes has no one. How about it?”

  Merry’s first inclination was to shake her head. “I don’t know,” she said. “Maybe we should ask Agnes first.”

  Arch shook his head. “And have her say no? Women always say no. It’s protocol or something. And listen, this guy can use a good meal. You know how they work residents in those city hospitals.”

  “Well…” Merry said, still hesitant.

  “Fine,” he said, “I knew you’d agree. It’ll raise the poor guy’s morale to see three beautiful girls walking around on their own two feet, healthy and everything. You know how it probably is with him, some gal’ll come in swooning and say ‘Oh, doctor, I’ve got this pain here and here and here.’ I mean how can you get romantic about a girl who has to stick her tongue out first thing so you can get a look at her throat or intestines or something?”

  Merry laughed helplessly. He dropped a kiss lightly on top of her head. “I’ll pick up another steak and then drop by for Harvey. Residents don’t own cars, you know. They can’t afford the upkeep on either cars or girls. I guess that’s why they charge those giant-sized prices when they finally get to be doctors. It’s revenge for all of the years when they couldn’t afford anything.”

  Merry made a face at him. “It’s not really as bad as you’re making it sound.” She shooed him towards the door. “Well, scoot if you’re going,” she said, “and let me get ready.”

  * * * *

  Merry changed into a tan sheath and slid her feet into matching high heels. She kept casting surreptitious glances at Agnes, who had decided to wear her most unbecoming dress.

  The dress was a dark print with matronly lines and did absolutely nothing for her.

  She bit her lower lip and said, “Why don’t you wear that green dress tonight, Agnes? It’s sleeveless and it’s going to be awfully warm eating, even with the fan going…”

  Agnes shook her head. She said, “I’m going to have my dinner on a tray here in the bedroom and read and enjoy myself. I’m not even going to put on stockings or a girdle.”

  Merry said quickly, “Oh, you can’t do that.”

  Agnes looked at her, surprised. “Can’t do what? Can’t go without stockings and a girdle? My dear Merry, I hurry to inform you that I…” Suddenly her eyes narrowed on Merry’s flushed face. “What’s this?” she said. “Exactly what’s going on, and where do I fit in?”

  Merry said, suddenly miserable, “Arch said he had this friend who’s a resident at Mt. Mercy, and he never gets steaks to eat, and since you didn’t have a date…”

  Agnes cut in icily, “So he thought he’d be real nice to old Agnes, and find her a date.” Her voice tightened, “Well, he needn’t have bothered.” She looked straight at Merry. “Why didn’t you at least ask me first? If I were interested in having dates, don’t you think I’d have had some before this? Or don’t you think I’m capable of getting dates on my own? Or of managing my own life?”

  Merry didn’t answer. “I deserve this,” she told herself. “I had no right to interfere.”

  “Agnes,” she said, but before she could complete the sentence, Tammy came dancing into the room.

  “Hey,” she said, “Where’s everybody? Where’s Arch? I thought I’d smell steaks burning the minute I got in the hall.” She turned from Merry’s burning face to Agnes’s cold one. “What goes?” she asked.

  Agnes said, her voice icy, “Your boyfriend, with Merry’s cooperation, went to round me up a date for the evening. I’m quite sure he feels very sorry for me and considers this his civic duty.”

  Merry said, “Agnes, it wasn’t that way at all. You don’t even have to consider him a date. Just a guest Arch invited to eat a steak he bought.”

  Agnes said, “Now you’re trying to make me feel ashamed of myself, and I’m not ashamed.” To herself, “Why am I making such a fuss about this? Merry meant well, and I suppose I don’t have to consider him a date.” She pressed her lips together, afraid that if she let them relax, they’d tremble. “I’m afraid of men,” she thought. “Will I ever get over being afraid? Do I want to get over it? No,” she answered herself. “No, to both questions.”

  Tammy unbuttoned her uniform. She said to Merry, “Jeff is coming, but I suppose you already know.”

  Merry said wryly, “I didn’t know until Arch told me.”

  Tammy grinned at her. “We’re traveling in the very best of company. Who knows? Maybe Mai Hinge will mention us in her column one of these days.”

  Merry said, “If she does, it will be with her typewriter dipped in poison.”

  Tammy said gaily, “From the way you talk, one would gather you don’t think the lady likes us very much.”

  Merry laughed. “She isn’t too fond of me. I declined to give her any information about Mr. Webb, and today I chased her out of his room so that he could get dressed. And on top of everything else I’ve refused to take her warning about Jeff Morrow.”

  Even Agnes’ head swiveled around to look at her. Tammy asked, her voice eager, “What kind of warning did she give you about him?”

  Merry said carefully, “She warned me he was Natalie Pries’ private property.”

  Tammy eyed her with awe. “You’re competing with Natalie Pries and coming out on the winning side?” There was reluctant admiration and envy in her voice. “Honey,” she said, “you must have lived right all of your life. You don’t ask, and still it comes to you in big bucketfuls.”

  Merry was sorry she’d told Ta
mmy. She said quickly, “I shouldn’t have said that. Don’t bring it up at dinner tonight, Tammy.”

  When Tammy didn’t answer her, she said, her voice sharp, “I’m serious, Tammy. I don’t want you to repeat this to anyone.”

  Tammy looked crestfallen. “Not to anyone?”

  “Not to anyone,” Merry said firmly.

  Tammy sighed and began rummaging through her closet. “Okay,” she said, “if you’re going to be difficult about it. But boy, I wish I had your luck, that’s all I wish.”

  She pulled out a two-piece black and white linen. “What do you think?” she asked, holding it up. “It’s just going to be dinner at home.” She heaved a sigh. “And of course dishes afterwards. Who ever heard of doing dishes in a really glamorous dress?”

  She flung it on the bed and saw Agnes’ dark, somber print. “Hey,” she said, “you aren’t going to wear that one, are you? It looks awful on you, Agnes. Only a friend will tell you the plain, unvarnished truth.”

  Agnes, unperturbed, shrugged. “I didn’t invite this man Arch is picking up for me. He didn’t ask me if he could come. I don’t even have to be polite to him unless I want to be. If he doesn’t like the way I look, that’s his problem, not mine. I couldn’t care less.”

  Tammy said slowly, “Has it occurred to you that you just might enjoy yourself?”

  Agnes shrugged again. “I always enjoy steak, especially when the price doesn’t come out of our budget.”

  Tammy, rolling a nylon carefully along one slender leg, muttered, “I don’t understand you. I don’t understand you at all.”

  She fastened the stocking, pulled on the other one and scowled at Merry. “I don’t understand you either, in case you’d like to know.”

  She stood up, sliding the black skirt over narrow hips and pulling the top carefully over her head, trying to protect her hair.

  Stepping over to the mirror she smoothed her hair, and then, pleased with her reflection, turned to look at Agnes. “Who knows, this guy could step through the door and something might click between you two that you never expected at all.”