Graveyard Shift

by Michelle Dorey

  “That should be it until next Thursday, Delores. I’ll check back with you then, and assess if more injections are necessary.” He turned to look at the seventy-four-year-old woman sitting upright in the bed. Already with only four injections she was showing vast improvement in cognition and attention span. She smiled and nodded in reply.

  She actually knew what he was saying now; unlike how it had been at the beginning of treatment. When he’d first met Delores she was one of the patients in this ward who were circling the drain, just waiting to die. The drooling skeleton of flesh he’d encountered when he first treated her was now alert and able to amble down the corridor with the aid of a walker. She even looked years younger.

  “Thank you, Dr. Stone. I don’t know what’s in that needle you keep giving me, but it’s a wonder drug.” She held up a hand which once had been curled with arthritis into a claw. She flexed and straightened her fingers. “It’s been years since I could do that. And the pain is gone!”

  Ryan smiled, “This treatment is still in the experimental stage which is why I personally deliver it rather than the nursing staff. I’m one of a handful of pioneers utilizing it and carefully monitoring the results.” He reached over and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “You, my dear, are my most successful patient to date.”

  Her eyebrows bobbed high while the grin on her face widened. Ryan was silent for a few beats sharing the victory of the treatment program on this, his most prized lab rat. She was one more testament of the efficacy of this wonder-drug in reversing the aging process.

  He personally oversaw everything about the treatment. There was every reason to keep doing so. It was his discovery! Here, in this backwater human warehouse, he was free to explore and document everything. The nursing staff weren’t privy to the procedure and treatment. As far as they were concerned it was a super-charged vitamin regimen that he administered via injection. It was far more complex than that, of course.

  “Well, I’m off to see another patient. Please try to increase your daily exercise and remember—no sweets or salty snacks between meals. Follow the meal plan I’ve given you, Delores.” Without waiting for an answer he turned and left the room, ignoring her assurances that she’d ‘do her best’.

  The good mood he felt seeing Delores’s progress evaporated with the next thought.

  Carmel Turner.

  She’d left a note for him to stop by to see her again. She was becoming a total nuisance with her nagging to be released from the home. He’d release her when and if she lived up to her part of their bargain. For years she had dangled that carrot and he’d followed like a hungry donkey. Well, now that she was on his turf, the playing field was finally level. She’d better come across soon or she’d be a lonely old crone wasting away day by day until she finally croaked.

  He nodded to a couple of nurses he passed in the stairwell. He’d noticed the younger one—Courtney?—giving him a slow smile, even turning her head to watch him as he went by. Hmmm. Of course, he was in top notch shape. That scar crossing his forehead, which once had made him terribly self-conscious, actually added to his attraction. Go figure.

  As for the nurse, she might be slightly vacuous but he wouldn’t kick her out of the sack for that. Another time, perhaps he’d pursue this.

  For now he had to steel his resolve to face Carmel. He entered the West Wing and stopped at the nursing station. A red-haired aide paused in her conversation with an orderly and looked over at him. “Dr. Stone?”

  “Carmel Turner. Do you know if she’s in her room? I heard that she’s requested to see me.” He cast a glance at the dark haired young man who’d been shooting the breeze with the young aide. As expected the young man sidled down the corridor becoming suddenly interested in checking on some patients. Turning his attention once more to the aide, he waited.

  “She was in there twenty minutes ago when I helped her with her bath.” The aid started to rise but a wave of Ryan’s hand gave her pause.

  “It’s okay. I’ll pop down and see if she’s about. If not, I’m afraid it will have to wait until tomorrow.” He turned and walked down the corridor to room eleven. With any luck the old bat was at lunch in the dining room now.

  He planted a small smile on his face before entering the room. Carmel sat in the wing back chair calmly gazing out the window. Without even turning to look at him, she spoke, “Close the door.”

  The muscles in his jaw tightened. How much longer would he have to endure this old bag’s arrogance? His movements were stiff as he stepped over to the door and closed it.

  With narrow eyes she glared at him. “As you can see, I’m still here. Are you purposely trying to kill me, Ryan? That won’t benefit you in the least. You should know that.”

  He took a seat on the edge of the bed next to her. Leaning closer to her, with his best bedside voice, “Carmel. I know this isn’t easy but if you can hang in for just a little while longer we can get you—”

  “Isn’t easy! You’re a master of understatement, Ryan. Every night I spend here is a living hell! They torment me, tearing my bed covers off, clawing my arms and legs! This place is evil, I tell you!” She placed a hand mottled with age spots on his arm. “I won’t survive much longer here. Get me out! Today!”

  Ryan looked into her eyes and recognized real fear in them. But instead of pity all he could feel was scorn that it had come to this. If she was scared, it was her own fault. “There is nowhere else for you to go, Carmel. Your home is gone.”

  “I could live with you. You know you’ve always been like a son to me. We’ve known each other a very long time. It wouldn’t be permanent. We both know that.” Her chin lowered, and she sighed.

  “Carmel that isn’t possible. Even if I had room for you in my apartment, you need round the clock care.”

  The lie dripped smoothly from his tongue. He had three bedrooms and could hire a full time nurse. Hell, Carmel could afford full time private nursing care. He rubbed her hand as he continued, “I’m working on a solution that will help you. But it takes time. You know, there was something you promised me a long time ago, you said you would give me. If you keep that promise then...well.”

  Carmel snatched her hand back. Her blue eyes were flint when she spoke, “Now we’re getting to the meat of it, aren’t we. How convenient for you that I suffered a bout of forgetfulness leaving the stove on and burning my home to the ground. You’ve got me right where you want me. But don’t get too cocky, Ryan. I know the skeletons in your closet, dear boy.”

  Ryan rose to his feet, staring down at her. He pointed a finger at her. “You’re old now, Carmel. Dementia is taking hold on you.”

  “I just get forgetful once in a while!”

  Ryan scoffed. “No, you’re wrong. You’re at Stage Four right now, and are heading into Stage Five pretty damn quickly.”

  “I am not!” Her hands rose like claws at him. “How dare you! I’m in full possession of my faculties!”

  “Really.”

  “Yes!”

  Ryan crossed his arms. “What day is it?”

  “It’s…” her voice faded and her mouth hung open. She took a breath. “Who would know, living in this awful place?”

  “What did you have for lunch?”

  Her lips pressed together for a moment as she stared at him fiercely. Her breath quickened as her eyes darted from side to side. “What I always have.” She made a small wave with her hand. “The usual.”

  “You never went for lunch, Carmel.” He almost felt sorry seeing the look of defeat on her face. Her eyes clouded with tears, but before she started crying he squatted beside her and put a hand on her shoulder. “It doesn’t have to end like this, Carmel. I would like us to still be friends. Just keep your end of the bargain and all will be well. You’ll be free of this place and me.”

  “I’ll tell, Ryan! Get me out of here or I swear to you, I’ll tell everything!”

  He snorted. “Do you really think that anyone would believe anything you say? You suffer dementia.�
�� He bent forward, staring in her eyes. “And to compound matters you’re developing a schizoid paranoia, seeing things that aren’t there. Ghosts? Really Carmel.” He tsked before straightening.

  Sliding his hands into his trouser pockets, he rocked back and forth from heel to toe gazing at her with more than a tinge of smugness. “Think about what I said, Carmel. All you really have to do is keep your end of the bargain.”

  When he turned to leave the room he delivered a parting shot, “Don’t expect me to come running anymore when you summon me. The next time you want to see me you’d better give me what was promised. Failing that, feel free to die.”

  THIRTEEN

  AMANDA CREAKED AN EYE OPEN when the alarm on her cell phone buzzed. She picked it up from her nightstand and clicked it off. Three forty-five. Kelly would be home from school in fifteen minutes. She tossed the comforter aside and yawned as she rose from the bed. Sleep had been a long time coming and when she’d finally drifted off, the dreams had been unsettling. She shuddered, recalling the sunroom where she’d been trapped where some humongous creature stalked her. Ugh.

  When she stepped into the adjoining bath her eyebrows rose seeing a white paper bag laying on the lid of the toilet seat. A handwritten note with what looked to be Will’s loopy scrawl was taped to it. Picking it up, she read,

  I know you don’t want to jinx this but I couldn’t resist. I’ll pick up a pizza on my way home. See you at five. Love, Will

  She couldn’t help but smile as she opened the bag. Sure enough. There was a home pregnancy kit inside. That crazy man was as excited about having a baby as she was. For all of two seconds she deliberated on doing the test. What the hell. After opening the box, she read and then followed the instructions to the letter.

  Five minutes later she held the plastic gadget up and her mouth fell open seeing the two bars indicating that she was indeed pregnant. A positive! Oh my God!

  She gripped the side of the sink to keep from floating up to the ceiling! This was wonderful! Will would be over the moon too!

  The front door opening and then banging shut broke through the state of awe. Kelly was home from school. She heard the girl’s footsteps going into the kitchen. Slipping the plastic wand back into the paper bag, she stashed everything into the vanity.

  Forcing her breath to even out, she whispered at her reflection in the mirror. ‘You’ve been through this before. Don’t get your hopes too high.’ Another part of her mind chanted a wishful mantra. ‘Just get through the first trimester. It’ll be different this time.’

  ***

  Freshly showered and dressed in yoga pants and a comfy sweatshirt, Amanda knocked on Kelly’s bedroom door. “Kelly? Can I come in?”

  When she received no answer she opened the door to find Kelly sitting on her bed, thumbs flying over the keyboard of her phone while the cord from her ear buds draped over her shoulders. Her daughter looked up and yanked one away. “Hey, Mom.”

  Amanda walked over and sat across from her on the bed. “How was school? Did you talk to your science teacher about a make-up test?”

  Kelly nodded. “She’ll let me write one next Wednesday after class. I’ll need a ride home that day.” She went back to finishing the text message she’d been writing.

  Amanda watched her silently for a moment more. That phone was part of the problem. It was a constant distraction garnering most of Kelly’s attention. Amanda tapped Kelly’s knee, “That gives you more time to study for it. And as it happens, I’m on a short day shift Wednesday. If you walk to the nursing home you can catch a ride with me.”

  Kelly’s shoulders drooped, “That means I’ll have to wait for almost forty minutes till you’re through. Can’t Dad pick me up?”

  Amanda plucked the cell phone from her daughter’s hand and smiled, “No. Now how about we talk about what you want to do this weekend. I thought we could do something together, just the two of us.”

  “Can I have my phone back?” Kelly made a swipe with her hand but Amanda’s arm shot high in the air keeping the phone out of reach. She scowled at her mother. “I was gonna hang out with Holly. She has to babysit her brother tomorrow evening.”

  Amanda kept her face passive despite the sinking feeling in her gut. “I’m not sure that hanging out with Holly Reid is such a good idea, Kelly. Since she moved here you don’t spend as much time with your other friends. What about Cynthia or Rosie or even Neil? When was the last time you had any of them over to watch a movie or go biking?”

  Kelly’s eyes narrowed, “You don’t know Holly. You look at the way she dresses and base your opinion on that. If you got to know her, you’d find that she’s pretty nice. But you won’t give her a chance.”

  Amanda straightened looking at Kelly. “She gets a lot of detentions in school is what I know. When she first started school here, you told me that yourself! You went from thinking she’s weird to now she’s your best buddy?” She smiled, “I thought Neil held that spot.” Thinking of Neil took her back to when she’d given birth to Kelly. Their neighbor at the time had been pregnant and had given birth to Neil just hours after Kelly. They’d been almost like brother and sister growing up. But when Kelly entered grade seven she’d began hanging with other friends.

  Kelly ‘hmphed’ an angry sigh bringing Amanda back to the moment. When her daughter turned her head to stare at the window, Amanda continued, “I’m sorry you didn’t check with me about the weekend before you made your plans. But you and I are spending the day and evening together. We can go shopping if you like, and then take in a movie.”

  Kelly folded her arms over her chest but she at least looked at her mother. “Compromise? Isn’t that what you always preach? How about I go shopping with you in the afternoon but I go over to Holly’s in the evening. There’s nothing good on at the movies anyway.”

  Amanda looked into her daughter’s brown eyes and felt her heart twist. She hated coming down on her about Holly but it was in her daughter’s best interest. “Tell you what. You can go to Holly’s house after dinner but you have to be home by nine.”

  Kelly’s mouth fell open but her eyes narrowed, “C’mon. That’s—”

  “No that’s the deal. One more word from you and you won’t go at all. Now. Get up. Let’s get our bikes out and go for a ride. Just a half hour or so. We could both use the fresh air.” Amanda stood and grabbed Kelly’s hand, pulling her up off the bed.

  She set the phone on Kelly’s dresser and led the way to the garage door. Behind her Kelly muttered, “Slave driver. It’ll probably rain before we get back if you plan on biking to the conservation area.”

  “So what? It’s not like we’ll melt or anything if a bit of rain hits us?” Amanda held the door, watching Kelly as she passed through it. There was a sparkle in the girl’s eyes even if she didn’t want to admit it.

  What Amanda wouldn’t give to be able to spend more time like this with Kelly. Amanda smiled. Especially now that there was a baby on the way. In nine months Kelly would have to share her parents with a newborn. Best to get on a more solid footing with her daughter before that happened.

  As she pushed the button to raise the garage door a flash of Carmel shot through her mind. The old woman had been right about the baby. A chill gripped her chest at the next thought. Carmel had also warned her about ghosts at the nursing home. She’d been seriously shaken in the sun room when the lights had gone off and on by themselves. And then there was that dark specter she’d glimpsed.

  “Mom? Are you okay?”

  The concerned look in Kelly’s eyes jolted Amanda back to the present. Without even thinking about it, Amanda’s hand drifted over her stomach and she smiled. “Yes. Just thinking of something at work. But I’m free for four days, so let’s go!” She strode over to get her bike from where it leaned against the wall.

  As she rode behind Kelly she tried to focus on the fresh air and the autumn foliage. But Carmel’s words kept sneaking into her head, warning of danger at the nursing home—danger to her and the baby. />
  FOURTEEN

  THE LIGHT RAPS ON THE DOOR FRAME in her hospital room jerked Jane’s attention from gazing out the window. Despite the dull pain and grogginess of the drugs she’d taken, a wide grin spread over her face seeing her younger brother, Mike. He looked like he’d slimmed down a bit and his color, normally a florid reddish hue in his cheeks, looked better too.

  “Hey Sis!” Mike stepped over to the bed and planted a kiss on her cheek. He took a bouquet of flowers he’d hidden behind his back and presented them with a flourish. “Carnations. Your favorite.”

  “Mike! That was thoughtful. There’s a glass in the bathroom that you can fill with water and put them in. I love red and white. Thanks so much!” She watched him as he went to the other room. “How is Hilda? She didn’t come?”

  Mike emerged from the bathroom carrying the flowers to the large window sill. “Someone has to mind the business, Jane. She sends her love and best wishes.” He pulled a chair close to the bed and sat down. “How in the world did you manage to break your hip? Are you going to be okay?”

  Jane winced when she attempted to sit higher in the bed. “They did surgery and replaced it. They tell me I’ll be up walking in about four weeks. Hard to believe.” She settled into a more comfortable position facing him. “It was my new roommate at Serenity. The woman is horrible. I swear she pushed me out of a sound sleep in my bed. She was the one who broke my hip.”

  Mike’s eyebrows bunched, “Now, Jane. That’s a pretty serious accusation to make. Why would she do that? You must have had a dream and ended up falling out of bed. Hilda tells me that my legs sometimes thrash about and I even talk when I’m asleep.”

  Jane shook her head from side to side. “No. I felt her push me. I’m a light sleeper as you know. Remember the times you tried to sneak in at night when we lived at home? Mom and Dad never heard you, but I did, even though you moved like a cat.” Her hand gripped the rail of the bed, leaning closer to him, “It woke me, Mike. As soon as she touched me I woke and I tell you she pushed me.”