A Nurses Secret

Episode 3

I was so right about not being dressed for this place, but Betty didn’t mind. I shrugged and went along with it. She grabbed my wrist and pulled me through the crowd to sit at the bar top, there, a young man caught her attention and she was off to flirtville. It was beautiful. The bar was made with glossy mahogany, shelves lined infront of a wall sized mirror having bottles of every alcohol known to man on each shelf. The lighting was warm and dim as it shinned off the bottles. I looked down and caught my own reflection. I considered myself to be fairly attractive. I had dark red hair that curled to my mid back, pale olive-green skin, and light grey eyes. I wasn’t tiny by ant means either, I was a curvy woman. In my years apart from my ex, I gained a little pudge. I didn’t mind though. I just gave up on trying to look like a model. Plus, no matter what I did, I would always and forever have a double chin.

            I sighed and flagged the bartender down. She was platinum blond with poofy curls framing her face. Her skin was dark, eyes were blue, and it was clear she was wearing a pound of makeup. She flashed a bright white smile.

“How can I help y’all ladies?” Her southern ancient was thick. She wasn’t originally from here. That was way obvious. I smiled back.

“Can I just get a class of rose, please?”

“No!” Betty was all of a sudden paying attention to me and not her new guy friend. “Shots!” She grinned the biggest smile and patted the table with both hands. She looked like a kid in a candy store getting a sugar rush from just seeing it. I closed my eyes and sighed. I was going to get wasted to night. Finally, I opened my eyes to the young bartender raising her brows looking between me and Betty. She had grabbed four shot glasses and was holding them above the counter waiting on my approval. I nodded and shrugged. She gave me a wide smile.

“Mind if I take a shot with y’all? It looks like a girl’s night!” She giggled.

“Sure! Join right on in!” Betty was always down for more friends. She was a social little butterfly; I give her that. The bartender clapped her hands and went to grab the first liquor of the night. She messily poured the glasses to the brim and winked at me.

“Bottoms up!” Betty called out, raising her first shot in the air. The bartender raised hers and I followed along with the new guy. Our glasses clinked and the bartender let out a “Yee-Haw!” Oh, most definitely not from here. I laughed and threw the shot down my throat in one gulp. It burned going down.

“Ahh!” Betty smiled at me before looking at her new man. “I knew you would pick a good one!” Oh, guess he was the man of the month. Picking out alcohol and all. I’m starting to wonder if I’ll be staying in the hospital staff room tonight. I twirled the empty shot glass in my hand, checking out the many angles on the outside. It’s been how many years since Marvin’s cheated on me. I know I should have moved on by now. But I can’t help but be afraid of the pain again. He might as well have torn my heart from my chest with his bare hands. It would have hurt less. I remembered that day like it was yesterday. I had just gotten home from my last deployment.

I glanced up when I saw a bottle pour into my cup. The bartender looked up at Betty and then at me with a sympathetic smile. I took it she had a feeling I needed it. I smiled and raised a glass to her. She gave me a toothy smile before walking off to help others. I glanced down at the honey colored liquid in my cup. I knew it was this one that I would start to feel. I shot this one down as well, huffing out a gasp.

“Wow.” I said under my breath. This one seemed so much stronger than the last one. The night continued and I kept taking shots. I started getting toasted after about two more shots. I stood up to go pee and it hit me.

“Fuuuuuuck.” I bent down a bit, looking at the floor. I shook my head lightly trying to clear my blurred vision. I let out a slow, deep breath before standing straight up. The walls were spinning slightly. I stubbled my way to the bathroom, pushing the door open. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten this drunk this fast. I grasped the sink with both hands and looked at my reflection in the mirror. I took a few deep breaths before going to the restroom. I flushed, stumbled y way back to the sink and washed my hands. I was not feeling good. I wanted to go home. I rubbed my forehead as I stubbled out. I glanced at the bar and my heart dropped. Where was Betty? My eyes scanning the area as best as I could. I caught the bartenders gaze and practically tripped over my own feet the whole way there.

“Wheerreessss Bessy?” My speech was slurred. She smirked.

“She said she was going home. She took that fine man with her, too! Someone is gunna get lucky tonight!” She giggled and walked off. Of course. I sat down, crossed my arms on the table and dropped my head on my arms. I didn’t realize it but I had passed out.

            I awoke to my body shaking. Why am I shaking? No. Someone was shaking me. Why are they shaking me? I’m tired. Leave me alone.

“Miss….” I heard a foggy voice in the distance. I couldn’t care less if it were the f*****g president himself. I was tired. Why did my back hurt though? Groggy, I raised my heavy head and turned to look toward the person calling me. I blinked, getting use to the light.

“What?” I asked in a grumpy slur. Blinking, I began to see a handsome man. Dark black hair, tanned skin, a sharp jaw. I jumped out of my seat and fell flat on my ass as the world spun. A hand appeared in front of my face, gesturing to help me up. I took it. His warm hand was a bit rough. A working man’s hand I thought to myself.

“Thank you.” I muttered. I gave a slight smile as I quickly checked him out. He was wearing blue jeans with nice shoes and a plain white t-shirt. I could see his defined muscles through his top. I blushed and looked away. I glanced around the bar and realized it was closing. I looked for the bartender, she was sweeping behind the bar, ready to close.

“Guess its time to go home….” I trailed off remembering there was a man in my house with Betty. I didn’t want to walk in on that. Not at all. I shuddered at the memory of accidently walking in on a naked man rummaging through my fridge.

“Yeah, you’ve taken a good nap there.” His voice was husky and low. I glanced back at him.

“Weren’t you at the hospital today?” I blurted out. He shrugged.

“Yeah. I had business to do there.” I nodded. I didn’t want to pry. I patted my pockets looking for my phone. Nothing. I began to panic looking around on the floor.

“Looking for this?” He held up my phone and wallet. I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Yes. Thank you.” I took my things and went through them. Have to make sure everything is still there, ya know? I glanced up at him, wondering why he had them.

“Some dude was trying to feel you up and steal from you. I took the honors of escorting him out. I was pretty sure you didn’t want someone feeling you up without you knowing.” I gasped and my blood began to boil.

“WHO!?” I glared at the man. He threw his hands up in defense.

“Hey there little thing. I was just helping you out!” He defended himself. I huffed.

“I just want to know who I’m castrating next time they come into my hospital.” I stated. He chuckled.

“Boy, I would NOT wish to ever piss you off!” He waved to the bartender.

“Thank ya’ Xander!” She called to him, waving. His name is Xander, hu? I glanced at him and he waved his hand gesturing for me to walk out in front of him. I slowly made my way to the door. As I was reaching out, he grabbed the handle, opening the door for me. I paused and looked back at him. I thanked him and smiled. He returned my smile. I could feel my face get warm and heart race.

“Would you want to join me for breakfast?” I asked. “I’m starving!”

            We ended up at Dennys near the hospital. We sat in a cold booth and scooted in. The waitress brought us coffee and took our order. I grasped the hot mug with both hands, warming them. I smiled at my little cup of coffee.

“You must love coffee.” I glanced up at him as he took a sip.

“Its like my blood.” I smirked as I explained. “As a night shift nurse in intensive care, its practically gold.” The waitress drops off our food and the sweet aroma of banana and strawberry pancakes fills my nose.

“Mmmm…” I moan as I shove a piece in my mouth. It melted like butter on my tongue. The sugar hitting me just right, slowly easing my hang over.

“You recover quickly.” He pointed out. I  was use to people being shocked at how fast I recover in general. I shrugged.

“I guess I got good tolerance.” I said between bites. I noticed he got a full plate of meat. I raised brow.

“Looks like you like meat.” My comment made him laugh. He covered him mouth as he finished chewing and swallowing his bite. He was nodding his head as he took a sip of coffee.

“I am a carnivore after all!” He said, forking a sausage and biting into it, shaking his head lightly to mimic a wild animal. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“So,” He went on, “why a nurse?” His question caught me off guard. My brows furrowed.

“What do you mean ‘why a nurse’?”

“Lemme clarify.” He set his coffee on the table, propped his elbows on the table, weaved his fingers into each other and set his face on his hands. He looked deep into my eyes. His deep brown eyes were endless like the night sky.

“What made you choose to become a nurse, Miss Waters.”