SINKING SHIPS

Return to Work

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain

 Bella drove up to the hotel. She had been there for about ten years.  It was a nice property.  It felt like home for her.  She was comfortable and good at her job but no longer felt challenged.  She hoped to be the Hotel President one day. Bella stopped by the human resource office first thing.  She needed to fill out the paperwork for time off to help Aunt Bonnie.  She could not believe how much paperwork was required to get some time off.  She proceeded to her office.  She was relieved to hear her assistant had been able to keep up with everything.  No fires to put out. She would dive into her e-mails and messages. She always handled everything from the corporate office first.  While reviewing everything from the corporate office she came across an announcement for a new hotel.  The hotel was in her hometown.  Bella looked through their website and photos.  It appeared to be a nice hotel.

Abigail was up early. She was working in the emergency room today.  She would be working a sixteen-hour shift.  She would have to find some time today to put in her paperwork for the time she would need to care for her mother.  She had made up her mind that she would take enough time off to see her mom through everything.  She would need someone with her after the procedure and until she was better. Abigail had been working at the hospital for a long time.  She did a rotation that put her a week in the emergency room every month.  She hoped one day to either work at a smaller hospital or at a private facility.  After a long first half of her day, Abigail took a break. She sat down at the computer and got her paperwork for time off completed. She had a few minutes so she went to the break room.  She sat down and decided she would read her hometown paper online.  As she browsed the paper, she came across an ad from the local hospital that registered nurses were needed.  She had not seen the hospital in years.  She wondered if it was nice.

Calista walked into the diner.  She had been fortunate that the owner had hired her with no experience.  They had been understanding of her schedule changes to be there for her boys.  She hoped that they would continue to be understanding when she tells them she will need time off to help her mother. It was a good job until she could figure out what she wanted to do. The hustle and bustle of the diner was in full force.  She hurried into her apron and began waiting on customers.  At the end of her shift, she let the owner know what was going on.  He was supportive as always.  She sat down with some lunch and started to go through her mail.  A letter from child support.  Her court date was set.