Carmel’s eyes lit up and she clapped her hands together. “Good! I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to that!”
TWENTY FIVE
LINDA WAS ONLY A FEW MINUTES LATE for her shift at seven that night. She took a long slow breath exhaling steadily as she walked through the door to enter the ward. In all the years she’d worked there never once had she been late. It didn’t matter that she’d only had an hour of sleep taking this last minute shift. She had a spotless record that this bullshit shift change had broken.
“Hi Linda. I’ll be just a few minutes. Maria Cordeiro buzzed for help.” Angela Washington looked over and then continued down the corridor to assist the resident.
Setting her handbag in the bottom drawer of the desk Linda took a seat and pulled up the notes from the day shift. She skimmed the part regarding Dr. Stone’s request for private full time care for Carmel. She already knew about that, thank you very much. With any luck Amanda and the ‘pet resident’ would stay in room eleven for the entire shift so she wouldn’t have to see them.
The door which led to the dining room opened and Carmel and Amanda walked into the ward. Her grip on the mouse clicking through the file notes tightened while she glared at Amanda. At least the little fool had the sense to look away and she seemed to hurry the old lady down the hallway a little faster.
Good.
She continued reading the notes for any changes in medication or anything worth mentioning regarding the other residents. When the buzzer went off for Myrtle’s room she lumbered to her feet and went down the hall to see what the old lady wanted. As she passed room two the snores coming out of there made her pause. She looked in and saw that Jane was back but out cold at the moment. At least the poor woman was close to the nursing station not back in that room with that evil little woman and her sidekick.
Myrtle was pacing the floor when Linda entered the room. She stopped and looked over at Linda, “You have to stop the racket coming from that old bitch’s room. I’ve been trying to read my book but the banging in there the last hour has given me a headache. What the heck is she doing?”
Linda’s head pulled back as she looked at Myrtle. “The last hour? Are you sure? I just saw Carmel returning to that room.” The old lady had a hate on for Carmel since the episode with Jane. She was probably exaggerating the length of time.
“Of course I’m sure! It was just after six when I returned from dinner. I sat down to read but with the thudding against the wall I couldn’t concentrate. I’ve put up with it as long as I can. You’re going to have to tell her to stop because I’m not going anywhere near that old witch, not after what she did to Jane.” Myrtle folded her arms across her chest defying Linda to argue the point.
“It’s quiet now but I’ll pop in and see what’s going on.” It was the last thing she wanted to do but if it would appease Myrtle so she could be quiet the rest of the night she’d better do it. Linda let out a long sigh and stepped out of the room.
She stood for a few beats staring at the door to Carmel’s room. It was more than the fact she disliked both Carmel and Amanda. Something about Carmel jangled her last nerve. But she’d promised Myrtle, just a quick peek.
The room was quiet as a tomb when she entered. The old lady laid on the bed with her eyes shut while Amanda sat in the wingback chair sketching in some kind of spiral notebook. The young woman looked up and her mouth set in a hard line seeing who had entered.
“What do you want?”
Linda walked across the room and stood looking down at Amanda. “There was a complaint about noise coming from this room earlier.”
Even as she said it she felt her cheeks warm. The two women hadn’t even been in there for Myrtle’s complain to be valid.
“Oh? Couldn’t be. We were at dinner.” Amanda barely raised her head to reply. Amanda looked down continuing her drawing, “As you can see, Carmel has fallen asleep and I’m just sitting here. No noise.”
But there was something in the tone of the young woman’s voice that rang hollow. She couldn’t even look Linda in the eye when she answered. What the hell were these two up to? Linda looked at the window to see if perhaps they’d left it open and a breeze could have caused something to bump and disturb Myrtle, but the window was shut tight.
The fact that Amanda continued to ignore her riled the older nurse. She stepped over to look down at the sketch that Amanda was penciling. Her eyes went wide at what she saw. “Why are you drawing that thing?” It came out as an accusation more than a question.
“Drawing what? It’s just doodling, nothing really. Why do you care? I’m just putting in time watching over Carmel while she sleeps. Isn’t there somewhere else you should be right now? I’ve got this covered.”
Linda snatched the notebook from Amanda’s hands to take a better look at the sketch. A chill shot up her spine at the familiar image. She stared at Amanda, “Do you even know what this is?”
Amanda made a swipe to grab the notebook back but Linda held it higher. Finally with an angry sigh she answered, “It’s a Christian symbol, a cross grounded with an eternity symbol. Not that I’m religious but it’s kind of—”
Linda threw the notebook into Amanda’s lap and hissed, “It most definitely isn’t a Christian symbol, young lady!”
Amanda’s mouth was a hard line as she sprang to her feet. “Let’s take this outside, shall we? Carmel is asleep and needs her rest. You’ve got a problem with me so let’s have it out.” Without another word, Amanda stormed from the room clutching her notebook to her breast.
Linda was right on her heels. The stupid little...Her teeth grit together so hard they hurt. When she was out the door she checked the hallway to make sure they were alone. There was no need to disturb the other residents.
Amanda spoke first, “You have no right coming in Carmel’s room with some cockamamie story about noise. And furthermore if I choose to sit there drawing to fill my time, it’s not your business. I’ve been hired to do private duty nursing by—”
“That’s a Satanic symbol you were sketching, you fool! Who told you it’s a Christian one?” She shook her head barely able to keep her voice level when she continued, “I don’t think it’s a good idea to draw this kind of thing, not here, not ever!”
“Satanic! And you would know this...How? Oh yes, you lived in Haiti I’ve been told. But it’s Christian not Satanic.” Amanda’s eyes narrowed as she leaned into Linda, getting right in her face.
“Who told you that? The same one who told you I’ve lived in Haiti, I’m guessing. Carmel, right?”
Amanda’s lips parted while her eyes grew wider, “Yes. But you’re wrong. She has this symbol tattooed on her stomach. She told me what it represents.” Once more her expression became belligerent, “Why do you hate her so much, Linda? I can understand why you hate me—you’re jealous. But her? She’s just an old woman.”
When a resident came out of her room ambling by them, Linda grabbed Amanda’s arm and led pulled her to the end of the hall. Her voice was a fierce whisper, “I was a Catholic Sister in Haiti.”
“A ‘sister’? You had a family?”
Linda took a deep breath. “I was a nun, you fool! I was in a religious order!” She jabbed a finger at Amanda. “I know all about the local Vodou there. That symbol is evil, Amanda. I don’t know who Carmel is but one thing I can tell you—if she’s got that symbol tattooed on her body, she isn’t Christian.”
For a few moments Amanda was silent watching Linda. But then she straightened stepping back from the older nurse. “She told me the same thing about you, Linda. You’re the one making trouble for her here, causing her to be so upset. Dr. Stone is finding another residence to get her away from here, all because of you!” She took a few steps away and then turned to face Linda, “Stay away from her and stay away from me. Do your job, if you’re capable!”
It was all Linda could do not to reach for Amanda and shake some sense into the little idiot. The old woman was playing Amanda like a maestro and s
he was swallowing it whole. Now that she knew about Carmel’s tattoo, things fell into place. She’d been in Haiti and had probably dabbled in Vodou. She might even be some kind of Mambo there.
Linda had tangled with a Mambo only once and it had cost her. She shrank back recalling the horror of that time, again recalling the sadness when Lucien had paid the ultimate price in that confrontation.
Stone was getting the old witch transferred to another facility. It couldn’t happen soon enough. In the meantime she’d give the old witch a wide berth.
Amanda was on her own dealing with that shit.
TWENTY SIX
WILL GLANCED AT THE TIME on his cell phone. It was almost nine o’clock. Kelly would probably be ready to be picked up from Neil’s house. Besides which, he was almost out of gas after skipping his nap that day. He sidled up to Father O’Connor and tapped his arm. “I’ve got to pick up my daughter.”
The gray haired man smiled at Will, “Go. The meeting is wrapping up anyway so you won’t miss much.” He turned back to watch the young priest at the front of the room.
Will threaded his way through the crowd of people who had come out for the evening of fellowship. Like him, many had drifted from the church but now were trickling back into the fold. He was lucky in many respects. He’d been struck with an illness through no fault of his own while most of the other people present were going through addictions. But they all shared one common element—the knowledge that a higher power was there to help them.
His chest was tight as he left the building picturing how Amanda would react if she knew he’d gone back to the church. She’d probably be angry. When they’d first gotten together so many years ago it had been a bone of contention between them until finally he’d given up and quit going to mass altogether. But when he became sick, he’d turned to the one source that had never let him down.
So far, it was working. He had more energy and joy in his life than he’d felt in a long time. Sure he was still sick, despite praying for recovery. But Amanda was expecting again; that prayer was answered, right? He’d trade off a miraculous recovery for the miracle of life any day.
Before starting the car he clicked Kelly’s number on his cell phone. When she answered he spoke, “Kelly, I’m on my way now to pick you up.”
“Okay. I’ll wait by the door.” Her answer was followed by hollow silence when she ended the call.
He sighed as he started the car. When had Kelly become so distant with him? They’d always been close when she was younger. Hell, so many times it had been just the two of them making dinner and watching TV while Amanda was at work. The teen years were supposed to be a challenge but so soon? He missed the little girl who had once made him smile and feel so much pride.
But at least she was with Neil and not that Holly kid. That girl was heading down the path to either getting arrested, knocked up, or on drugs before she finished school. Neil was a good kid from a nice family. Things could be worse.
He turned the corner and stopped in front of the small bungalow where a bare bulb shone over a small stoop. The door opened and Kelly came out, sliding the strap of her knapsack higher on her shoulder. A breeze caught a lock of her hair and lifted it to spread over her cheeks as she strode along the walkway. In this light he caught a glimpse of the woman she would someday become—strong and capable with a sure step.
The door opened and she slid onto the seat plunking her bag down next to her feet. “Thanks for the ride. It’s getting pretty chilly out to walk home.”
“No problem. I feel better picking you up anyway.” He pulled a U turn and when he was once more on the way back, he glanced over at her, “So it’s just you and me for maybe a week, Kelly. This is the longest stretch ever for us roughing it without your mom.”
Kelly stared straight ahead silently for a few beats. “What’d you do tonight?”
Will’s gaze flitted over to his daughter while his grip tightened on the steering wheel. Her voice was flat, kind of like an accusation. Keeping a casual tone he replied, “Not much. Just killing time till you were ready to come home.” He hated lying to his daughter as much as he did deceiving Amanda.
She turned to look at him, “When are you going back to work? Mom is spending too much time at that nursing home. She’s not even getting a break between shifts now.”
His face warmed and he sank lower into the seat. After swallowing hard he replied, “Soon, I hope. The doctor thinks that if I continue this rate of —”
“Where do you go at night when Mom is working? You say you’re sick with this chronic fatigue but you manage to go out every week. How does that work?” Kelly turned her head after this shot to stare out the side window away from him.
His heart thumped faster as his mind raced trying to find the right answer. If he told her the truth it would get back to Amanda and all hell would break loose. She’d be disgusted and call him superstitious to say the least. But the lying had to stop, especially with his daughter. What kind of Christian would he be if he was afraid of the truth? Truth was supposed to set you free.
He wheeled the car into the driveway and took a deep breath before turning the engine off. She was about to open the door but his hand on her arm stopped her, “Wait, Kelly. It’s not what you might think, that I’m going out and having fun while your mom works. I’m trying to get better, believe me.”
Her eyes were narrow as she hissed at him, “I don’t see how you’re trying all that hard. You could go back to work if you wanted. It’s not fair to Mom.”
“I’ve turned to God, Kelly. That’s where I go whenever I get a chance. At one time I went to church a lot. But your mom...she doesn’t believe in all this religion stuff.” It was hard to breathe now that it was out. His palms were sweaty as he pulled the key from the ignition.
It seemed like minutes before she finally said something, but was probably more like seconds...long seconds. “Church? You’re going to church? That’s it?” Her voice seemed to crack at the last words. She blinked a few times, gaping at him.
“Church.” When Will nodded silently, she said, “Like God stuff?”
“Yeah.”
“Mom says that’s all bullshit, Dad.”
He flinched at her language, but she was in fact, quoting Amanda. “I know.”
Kelly sighed. “So what is it?”
“It’s not bullshit, kiddo.”
“Mom says it just a bunch of weak people, lighting candles, singing songs an’ croaking about stupid stuff all together.”
Will let out a long sigh. Sure was accurate. Kinda. He took a breath and held Kelly’s gaze. “We’re all weak, hon; not just churchgoers. Candles help as a reminder that we’re not alone in the dark. And we don’t ‘croak stupid stuff’...we pray together in congregation.”
Kelly’s lip twitched and she looked out the window. “Well, Mom says different.”
“Mom’s entitled to her opinion, Kelly. She’s been to church, and made up her mind. You on the other hand...”
Kelly looked back sharply. “What?”
“Your opinion’s not based on experience, just on what other people said.”
“So?”
“Well, that’s like gossip, isn’t it?”
Kelly snorted. “Gossip! Like scandals?” She shook her head slowly. “Well, if church going is what’s taking you out of the house, I’m relieved.”
“Well...ya. What did you think I was doing?” Now it was his turn to stare her down. Oh my God. She must have thought that he was...Oh no. No wonder she was so pissed. “I love your mother, Kelly. I love you! I wouldn’t do anything to hurt either one of you! I’m really trying to get better. I pray for it. I want to be the man I once was, providing for my family. Be the dad you can be proud of.”
Her eyes welled with tears and she reached for him. “Dad! I’m so sorry. I know you love us and you’re trying. I feel so awful that—”
His finger crossed her lips shutting off further comments. “It’s over. You know the truth now.” He st
roked her hair before lifting her chin to look him in the eyes. “I’m glad I told you Kelly. I’ll tell your mother once she’s back home from this crazy private duty stint. No more secrets. But this...my faith is something I’m not going to change ever again. I’m not hiding it anymore either.”
Kelly rolled her eyes and then grinned, “You’re a closet Christian, is that what you’re telling me? You’re out now?”
He gave her cheek a little pinch. “Smart ass. Ya, I’m outed. You got me.” He let out a long sigh, happy that he’d finally come clean with all this. “Let’s go inside. You’ve got school tomorrow and I really am bushed.”
Kelly nodded. “Ya.” When she walked beside him going up the walk to the front door she was more like the Kelly he’d raised. “Think I’m too old to go out for Halloween? I was thinking of going out one last time with Neil.”
He opened the door and smiled looking down at her as she passed by, “I think that’s a great idea. You two were always good buddies. Your last time should be with someone you really like.”
The smile she flashed at him warmed him to the marrow. Things were going to be okay now. The truth gave his daughter back to him.
TWENTY SEVEN
WHEN AMANDA WENT BACK INTO CARMEL’S ROOM AFTER THE CONFRONTATION with Linda she was shaking with fury. How dare the old bat try to turn the tables on Carmel, making it sound like Linda was the innocent one? Carmel was the one being attacked, not Linda!
Her footsteps must have disturbed Carmel because the old lady’s eyes fluttered open and she tried to sit up. “Amanda? What’s wrong?” Her gaze took in the entire room before settling on Amanda.
“It’s nothing.” When Carmel’s chin dropped and she gave a pointed look to Amanda, she continued, “It was Linda. She came in here and saw my drawing. I was doodling the tattoo you have on your stomach. She said it’s evil, a sign of the devil or something.”
“Of course she did. She’s trying to throw you off, now that you know the truth. Don’t believe anything she has to say.” Carmel eased forward, shifting her legs off the side of the bed so that she could get up.
Graveyard Shift Page 12
