The Darkest Night

Chapter 2

We pulled up in front of our apartment, Michael parking neatly in one of the guests spots. I clambered out of the car and stretched my arms up high to ease the stiffness out of my back. I was not looking forward to my shift tonight, but I'll get through it. The door closed behind me with a soft thud as my sister got out as well. I walked up to our apartment and climbed the stairs to the second story. I unlocked the door and walked in, heading straight to my room to get changed. I heard the door open as I was pulling my blue scrub top over my head. I could hear Michael and Cynthia's voices muffled through the door. Sounded like they were in the living room. "There's a bottle of champagne in the cupboard above the fridge!" I called out to them, knowing they would still be wanting to celebrate. My sister called out her thanks and Michael confirmed that he had found it. I knew sneaking the bottle I had found from a liquor store would come in handy. I finished getting dressed and started hunting for my work shoes. The non-slip black shoes were the most comfortable pair I've ever owned. Not finding them in my room, I walked out to the living room to see if maybe I had left them out there. I saw Michael and Cynthia curled up on the couch together cuddling, each with a glass of champagne in their hands. "Any chance you all have seen my work shoes?" I asked, looking around, to see if they were out in the open. Sis nodded to the corner of the room and I could see the black shoes poking out from under a blanket that was thrown causally over my reading chair. I walked over to my reading chair and grabbed my shoes. Slipping them on, I walked over and hugged my sister, briefly wishing them a good night.

"Oh, I made you some coffee." Michael said, pointing to the counter where my favorite travel mug sat with small wisps of steaming coming out of the top.

"Michael, you are too perfect to be real. You know that, right?" I said as I took a sip of pure bliss. He laughed good naturally and wished me a good shift. I closed and locked my apartment door behind me. I walked down the stairs and headed to my green Camry. A breeze caused goosebumps to appear on my arms as I walked across the parking lot to my assigned parking space. The full moon was low on the horizon, peaking in between the clouds. This whole night just felt weird and off. I got into my car and started my pre-work playlist. As the first song started, I rolled my shoulders and set aside any thoughts that weren't work-related.

The drive was a good forty-five minutes with light traffic. I pulled into the hospital's employee parking area and parked. Steeling myself for the night ahead, I grabbed my badge, bag, and coffee and went in. "Evening Liz." I turned my head to see Andrew, one of the radiology techs waving at me as he headed to his department. I smiled and nodded at him as I headed to the time clock. I clocked in and put my stuff away in my locker and downed what was left of my coffee. Sighing, I headed to the nurses station that I was assigned to and started my shift.

The night was hell. Utter hell. We had over thirty admissions and several codes all night long. I lost two patients and found myself in the break room on the floor crying at the end of the sixteen-hour-long shift. The only thing that I felt I accomplished was turning in a formal complaint about Brittany calling off so many times. I leaned my head against the wall and covered my eyes with one arm as I sighed deeply. Pushing myself up and getting to my feet, I stretched the long shift out. I was looking forward to a long bath and an even longer nap. I started walking to the door when one of my coworkers stopped me to let me know our supervisor, Bianca, was looking for me. Groaning with mild frustration, I headed to Bianca's office.

I knocked on the door and waited for her to say I could come in. Once she told me to enter, I turned the handle and walked in to see Brittany sitting in one of the chairs and the head of HR in another with Bianca at her desk. Shoot, this isn't going to end well. I thought as I took a seat in the last remaining chair.

"So Elizabeth," Bianca started. "I hear you have been slandering Brittany in the break room. We are all here to figure out exactly what happened"

What the actual...? I couldn't believe what I had just heard and was in shocked silence just staring at Bianca. I glanced over at Brittany, and she had a smug little smirk on her face. The lazy B planned to set me up to get me written up. The HR lady just observed all of us calmly. I collected myself and met Bianca's eyes steadily. I would be damned if I was going to let Brittany of all the people mess with my career.

"I have never talked about Brittany in the break room, except to ask if she was on shift." I stated as calmly as I could. " Is this retaliation for filing a complaint about her calling out of her shifts so often with no consequences?" If nothing else, I wanted the possibility of this being retaliation on file. Bianca shifted a little uneasily in her chair trying to hide her emotions. I guess I was correct and this was retaliation after all. I internally groaned. Of course, it would be my luck that the girl I didn't get along with at work was friends with our supervisor. Brittany still had that gloating grin on her face which made me want to slap her. The HR lady looked at Bianca critically and asked if this was retaliation.

Ahem. Bianca cleared her throat. "No, this is not retaliation. Brittany has complained about you creating a hostile work environment for a week now where as your complaint was filed late last night." She glared at me over her glasses. "Not to mention that I have some written statements from others about what you have said." She patted a stack of maybe five papers on her desk. Great. I don't know who they got to lie and say whatever they said, but it just got me into a world of trouble. I closed my eyes briefly trying to reign in my emotions before I exploded into rage. I hate being falsely accused of things, always have.

"I don't know who said what, but I have never slandered nor talked about Brittany except to ask if she was on shift. You can ask anyone in the break room." I kept my voice steady and as calm as I could.

"That being said, Elizabeth, we are going to put you on administrative leave while we investigate these claims. If nothing is found, you will be allowed back to work with no consequences, and we will pay you for the time off during the investigation." Her words hit me like a slap to the face. It was an inane lie and everyone in the room knew it. This was them firing me with extra steps. Tears of rage pricked at my eyes as I tried desperately to stop them. After five years of working here and trying so hard every damn day, they are going to throw me aside because someone doesn't like me. Brittany's face was set into a gloating smile. The HR lady just sat there nodding along to Bianca's words.

"Well, that's that then," I said while standing up. My reaction must have startled them all, since each woman jumped a bit as I stood up so abruptly. "I'll go clear out my locker then, and I'll hear from you whenever you get around to calling me."

I left the room quickly and made my way back to the locker room. I cleared out all my belongings that I don't normally take back and forth with me. Slamming the door of the locker was the only hint that I let out that I was upset. I said goodbye to my coworkers and made my way to my car. I got in and closed the door, leaning my head back against the headrest. I let the held back tears roll down my face as I took one shuddering breath after another. I kept my eyes closed, refusing to acknowledge any of my coworkers that might have passed by. Once I regained some semblance of composure, I started my car, put on my music and headed home.

I tried to think of what to tell my sister about what happened and settled on a white lie of me going on vacation for the next week or two. That will give me enough time to find a new job. One good thing about being a nurse is that they are always hiring them everywhere. Maybe I'll even take this as an opportunity to change directions in my career to something a little less strenuous. I put the keys into the lock and opened the door to my apartment and walked into chaos.