Conflicts of the Heart

by Julie Michele Gettys

  Off in the distance, he noticed a boat with a man and woman frantically waving at him. Even though they had spotted him, he couldn’t make out the new comers. Thankfully, Dana was lying down, barely visible to anyone that far away. He turned up the engine, and without acknowledging the strangers, motored off in a different direction.

  Once in the clear, he said, “Dana,” then thought better of saying anything since the intruders couldn’t have seen her. No need to worry her more.

  “What?” She lifted her glasses and sat up. “Why are we going so fast?”

  “Just trying to find a hotter spot. The fish aren't biting there.” Patrick surveyed the lake. The other boat now a mere speck headed farther away. He let out a relieved sigh.

  “The only time I've seen Michael this happy is when he's with you.” She spread sunscreen over her skin. “I can't deprive him of that for my own selfish reasons.” She paused and glanced over at Patrick. “Every moment of happiness for him is worth anything I might have to go through because of our situation.”

  A wave of relief swept through Patrick. She hadn’t seen the other boat. “He's your life, isn't he?”

  She smiled. “A good part of, for sure.”

  Patrick checked his line and bobbed his pole in an off-handed manner. “If I were going to stay

  here in Ashton, we might have a chance to get to know each other better, but I have to take that job in New York.” He tilted his head, and asked boyishly, “You wouldn't be interested in moving to New York, would you?”

  Dana pulled her sunglasses down her nose, as bewilderment filled her eyes. “Is that a proposal, Mr. Mitchell?”

  He cleared his throat. “I just thought if we had more time together…who knows what might happen.”

  “I have too many things to work out here. Joel would just love it if I moved out of state. That would tighten his case. Patrick Mitchell, you’re something else. You make all the right offers at the wrong time.”

  She scooted upright. “We'll enjoy what moments we have.” She reached out. He took her hand.

  “I got a bite.” He yanked his rod back over his shoulder. Michael started cheering. That broke the mood. Patrick had the first fish of the day on a hook. He yanked again. The line pulled down, hard. The rod bowed. “It's a big one.” He extended his arms to Michael. “Hook your rod

  down under your seat! Come here.”

  Michaelscootedoverand crouchedbetweenhislegs. Patrick placed Michael's left hand on the cork handle, the other on the reel. Together they drew the trout up to the edge of the boat.

  “Wow!” Michael cheered. “Look…big.”

  Dana netted the squirming fish.

  Patrick wrapped his free arm around her shoulder, rocking her and Michael back and forth. They were the only boat in sight.

  He wanted to stay right there for the rest of his life with this woman, her son, the fresh air, and the magnificent surroundings of the mountains and lake.

  Seventeen

  Dana returned to work, her stomach in knots, her job on the line and her future getting bleaker by the minute.

  Everything she'd worked so hard for was falling apart. She felt out of control and falling prey to her friends and loved ones. To survive, she must live her life the way Dr. Lipman had advised when she first left Joel and had a hard time adjusting. “Ten minutes at a time,” he told her, “and you'll make it through.” For the next ten minutes, she glanced at her watch, I'll find out what happened while I was in San Jose. “Ann, please come over to my office,” Dana spoke into the intercom. Ann entered, smiling sheepishly.

  “I wish you’d called me. I could have nipped this in the bud.” She pushed the stack of messages and mail aside, folding her arms on the desk. “I'm pleased you took responsibility for the department, but I expected you to keep me informed if anything unusual happened.”

  Ann planted her hands on her hips. “Don't you want to leave here and know the office will run without you? That's the impression you gave me from the beginning.”

  Already Dana screwed up the first of her ten minutes at a time. Instead of praising Ann for taking the initiative, she sounded like one of those controlling women executives. She never wanted to be that type of manager. “Sorry. You're right. In your shoes, I would have done the same thing.”

  Ann relaxed her stance and dropped her hands to her sides. “Knowing all you were going through, I didn't want to bother you.”

  Dana walked around her desk and embraced Ann. “You did everything right. I'm overly sensitive this morning. I'm grateful you took charge.” She joked, “Since you handled Teal so well, why didn't you answer all these calls?” She pointed to the stack of messages and letters on her desk. “Mail, too, while you were at it?”

  Ann grinned. “Didn't want you to feel I was taking over.” They laughed.

  Dana returned to her seat. “If I don't get a contract signed with PNA soon, you may be taking over permanently.”

  Ann sat. “Have any plans?”

  “I'm meeting with Gil at ten and the board at ten thirty to convince them to give a little for mediation this afternoon.”

  “Think they will?”

  Dana shrugged. “Probably not.”

  “What about Teal?”

  “You tell me. When I last saw her, she almost had enough cards for an election.”

  “She was in the cafeteria both Saturday and Sunday. The house supervisor said she didn't break any rules. Teal's getting a lot of attention. Think she's got a chance?”

  “Could be. Patrick's pushing pretty hard for a closed shop, and a lot of the employees aren’t pleased about that. Not everyone wants to be in the union these days. Gil wants to keep an open shop too.”

  “If Teal pulls this off, things'll certainly be interesting around here.” Dana set her chin. “Too interesting for my blood.”

  The intercom buzzed. “Yes,” Dana answered.

  “Teal DeLuca is here,” Maria announced.

  “Send her in.”

  Ann stood to leave.

  “No. Stay. You might as well see this through with me.” Ann flashed a smile of thanks.

  Teal sashayed into the room, her hair was bundled into a turban, several gold bracelets on each arm clanked as she walked. She acted as though nothing had come down between them.

  “Here.” She slapped a thick stack of election cards on Dana's desk. “Patrick might as well call off mediation and wait for a two eighty-one takeover.”

  Dana picked up the cards Teal deposited on her desk. “Are you formally filing for an election?”

  “That's what the nurses want.” Teal’s expression just missed being a smirk.

  Dana couldn’t believe her ears. The nurses were enamored with Patrick, their Pied Piper. “We'll have to notify PNA. It'll take two weeks.”

  Teal threw her head back in a haughty gesture. “I'm in no rush. I'd like to see the look on Patrick's face when he finds out I'm calling for an election. He's so cocky. He never believed I could pull it off.”

  “You're wrong,” Ann threw in. “When he found out you and Dana were friends, he knew this

  might happen.”

  “I have to meet with Gil in five minutes,” Dana said. “You two'll have to excuse me. Ann would you help Teal file the necessary papers? Have Maria prepare a letter, for my signature, notifying Patrick Mitchell of the election.”

  Teal proffered her hand to Dana. “Still friends?”

  She hesitated. “We'd be better friends if you were more trustworthy.” She didn’t shake Teal's hand. She walked out, leaving Teal with her hand extended and a dropped jaw.

  Gil’s secretary ushered Dana into his office, then left. He sat behind his desk reading Hospital magazine and drinking coffee. He glanced up. “Good morning, Dana. You look superb. New suit?”

  “Just another one from the old arsenal.”

  He straightened. “What'd you think of John Meyer?”

  “I'll tell you after this is all over.”

  “You must feel
terrible. I'm confident you'll beat Joel.”

  “If I don't, I'll be moving back to Palo Alto. He wants joint custody of Michael. At least that's the ploy he's using to get me to drop my suit.”

  Gil shook his head, combing through his silverhair with his fingers. “Any judge who'd give Joel custody of Michael would need his gavel examined. I'm not worried. Now what have you got for the board?”

  “Before we get into that, you need to know Local two eighty-one has enough signatures for an election.”

  “The nurses?” His eyebrows rose in obvious pleasure. “A full-blown raid on PNA?”

  “That's right.”

  He jumped up and clapped his palms together in sheer joy. “You couldn't have brought me better news. If she wins, we can work a sweetheart deal.”

  “You want her in here?” His interest amazed Dana.

  “Wouldn't be bad.”

  “She'll go for the rest of the place once she's in. Two eighty-one’s very strong with clerical and service departments. Patrick's interested only in the nurses.”

  “No matter. I can handle Ms. DeLuca.”

  Dana had never seen him so enthusiastic over unions. He’d never approve Dana's proposals to get a contract with PNA, feeling as he did.

  “With this news, there's no need for you to attend the board meeting this morning. Everything's on hold for now. You go into mediation this afternoon and don't budge on anything. Sit it out until I give the word. In the meantime, help Teal in any way you can without breaking any rules.”

  “I can't do anything for her she hasn't already done.”

  “How long until an election?”

  “The earliest I can put it together is two weeks.”

  “Can you stall it?”

  “Why?”

  “Drag this on. If two eighty-one wins, we're talking months before any changes would be made. Gives us a breather.” He went to the window. After a pensive moment, he turned to her. “Thank God, she doesn't want a closed shop.”

  “You know that?”

  “Rumors.”

  “Who knows what she'll want once she gets her foot in the door.” Dana rose. “I'm surprised you're so enthusiastic about a new union coming in. Even if it does give us some time, the changeover is going to be horrendous.”

  “For you, but not for the hospital. Once the dust settles, you'll find it a lot easier dealing with two eighty-one than with PNA. They're not nearly as strong.”

  “Don't count on it.” Local 281 might not be as strong, but at least with Patrick, she knew whom she was working with. “You don't know Teal DeLuca like I do. She'll stoop to any level to get what she wants. I've seen her in action. I was thinking you'd want me to file charges against her for soliciting on-duty employees.”

  “I thought you were friends.”

  “Were friends is right. This little dolly is tough.”

  Gil walked over and laid an arm around Dana's shoulders. “This is just what we need right now. Use the time to get your personal problems resolved. Give Ann more responsibility. She did surprisingly well while you were away.”

  “I know. She learns fast.”

  He winked. “She has a good teacher.”

  On the way back to her office, she thought about Gil's change in attitude regarding Local 281. What triggered his interest in another union in Templeton? This could destroy Patrick’s future plans in New York. They might send him elsewhere. Why should she worry about him? He knew how to handle the likes of Teal DeLuca.

  In the anteroom, she heard Teal laughing in Ann's office. Maria had the letter ready for Patrick. Dana signed it at Maria's desk. “Have it hand delivered this morning.” That ought to put a new slant on the mediation session this afternoon.

  “I'll take care of it.” Maria got up and left for the mailroom.

  Two lines lit up when Dana got to her desk. She pushed the button on line one. “Please hold a moment.” Then she answered line two. “Personnel.”

  “Dana. Is that you?”

  Damn, why would Joel be calling now? She took in a quick breath, like someone about to plunge into icy water. “Yes.”

  “Answering your own phone these days?”

  “The secretary is out of the office, and my assistant is busy. Hold on a moment.” She went back to the other line. “Thank you for waiting. May I help you?”

  “Dana, Gil here. Come on down. The board wants you to come in and talk about mediation. They're not as enthusiastic about two eighty-one as I am. Bring your proposals.” He hung up.

  A hard fist of fear grew in her stomach. He wouldn’t put her in the middle of the raid. What did Joel want now? She reluctantly pressed line two.

  “Yes, Joel.”

  “I don't think I like the tone in your voice.”

  “It's the best I can do under the circumstances. Is something wrong?”

  “Not at all. I called to ask if you'd mind sending Michael over this weekend.”

  Her adrenaline level rose. “This weekend? Why?”

  “I have a friend who wants to meet him, and I want to see if his coming over is going to work out before we go back to court.”

  You SOB. “I…I can't this weekend. We have plans.” She needed to call John Meyer for advice. She wouldn’t budge without his consent. “Let me call you back after my board meeting.”

  “Fine. Get back to me today. I'll be here. You know the number. Nothing's changed.”

  Who was he kidding? Everything had changed.

  Dana headed downstairs to the boardroom next to Gil's office. Her heart clubbed. Why call her down now after saying he wanted to handle the meeting?

  With a snap of her head, the secretary signaled Dana to go in. That meant Gil wouldn’t be in his office to coach her. He must have run into trouble with the board. Now he wanted her to bail him out of it. As if she didn't have enough to worry about.

  Inside, the twelve-man board surrounded the long, oak table. Gil sat at the head with a seat vacant next to him. No women on the board. No one of color. Archaic. The blue, gray, and brown-suited, narrow-tied, narrow-minded community leaders--each with a vested interest in Templeton--glanced up when she walked into the large, dimly lit room. A few craned for a better view, setting her nerves on edge. A mixture of expensive men's colognes pervaded the room.

  “Thank you for coming.” Gil stood to pull a chair out for her. “The board has some concerns about Local two eighty-one coming in. I told them that you’d answer any questions.”

  He tapped her knee with his. Did he want her to tell the truth or support him? Now she had an opportunity to take a stand for what she believed and at the same time help Patrick. Then again, she could shade the truth and make her boss look good. That might kill Patrick's chances of getting a contract and the job he wanted in New York. This was conflict of interest at its worst.

  Cardinal rule: support your boss.

  He smiled, edging her on with a nod.

  “There are two sides.” Using carefully chosen words, she explained all the options, trying not to take sides. She played up Gil's position, yet tempered it with possible consequences the board must weigh before making their decision. She sat back when she finished, her shoulders slumped while they chatted among themselves.

  Peter Sorenson, the president of Senya Bank, a big, florid man, waved a pen in front of him. “I heard you were friends with the woman who represents two eighty-one.

  “That's true. We went to school together.”

  “When Benson was here, she couldn't get her foot in the door. Does that mean something?”

  “I was away when she started her drive. She has the right to have an election if she gets enough support. She has it. I had nothing to do with it.” Dana worked diligently to keep her voice calm. No room for defensiveness here.

  “I hope not,” Sorenson added. “So how do we get out of this mess? We can't afford a strike.”

  Gil’s and their philosophy didn’t match. What had changed? She didn’t want to advise the board. The consequence
s could be devastating.

  Gil laid a hand on her wrist. “I’d prefer Ms. Claiborne not take a position. We discussed this matter briefly before this meeting.” He glanced at her, raised an eyebrow, then turned to the board, pausing a long moment. “She advised me to support PNA.”

  She felt relieved he backed her. That should dispel any thoughts they may have had about her helping Teal.

  “It was my decision to encourage two eighty-one in its efforts to win an election, for the reasons I covered earlier.”

  “Why do you want PNA to remain?” Carter Givens asked Dana. The most senior board member had a stiff demeanor, a judgmental expression on his wrinkled face.

  She cleared her throat. “Their focus is on the nurses. Local two eighty-one, once in, I believe will go for the whole package. They specialize in clerical and technicians. Ms. DeLuca would love to organize the entire hospital.”

  “Are they strong enough?” Givens hunched over the table. “That would depend on us?”

  “Right now, yes. If we were to set up a better incentive program for raises, improve some of the benefits…. just enough to keep abreast of the community, the employees might not want to make any changes.”

  Givens leaned back. “You've been after these things since you started negotiations.” He glanced at Gil, weariness in his steel-gray eyes. “It’d be easy to get a contract if we gave them everything they wanted.” His gaze returned to Dana. “We understood one of your talents was your ability to negotiate a lean contract.”

  “What do you mean?” Gil asked.

  “Just what I said. I had a feeling something was amiss when we were forced to go into mediation.”

  Dana gripped the edge of the table. Her face grew hot with humiliation.

  Sal Morton, a young man with high cheekbones and large eyes, the newest board member--came on a month after Dana--waved his hand. “Excuse me, gentlemen. Aren't we the ones who've tied the lady's hands? Seems to me, correct me if I'm wrong, you can't get a new contract by taking things away, and not adding anything to the pot.”

  Givens pushed himself away from the table and rose. “Gentlemen, I think we should excuse the lady and talk about this amongst ourselves.”