Finding Love (GxG) -completed-

Chapter 26- It Pours!

                                                                                        Elise

Elise stumbled out of Hazel’s room and down the hall to the staff bathroom to gather herself. Leaving early was seen the same as not coming at all. Elise had to finish this clinical. Kenny had messed with her past life enough, she refused to let him mess with her future as well. Elise sat on the stool with her head down near her knees and focused on slowing her breathing. Out with the negative and in with the positive. She repeated this mantra inside her head as her counselor had taught her. Elise also focused on feeling the hard floor and stool, the hum of the lights, and anything else that reminded her where she was. Within a couple minutes she was feeling back in control again. Elise quickly used the facilities, washed her hands and face, and dried them. One last deep breath while looking in the mirror, she told herself, “you can do this,” out loud, and headed back to her patient.

Of course she couldn’t be lucky enough for Hazel’s family to have left before she returned. Nope. Elise turned the corner and there stood Kenny next to Hazel’s bed, holding her hand but staring at the door as if waiting for her to return. Of course Kenny smiled when she walked in. Two can play at this game. Elise put on her best fake smile and re entered the room to stand next to Jeremiah. “You okay now?” Jeremiah whispered. Elise nodded with the fake smile still plastered in place. Jeremiah looked at her skeptically, but trying to be professional, let it go for now. 

Of course Hazel had noticed Elise walk back in and had been anxious to introduce her to her family. Hard to believe this sweet lady had such creeps for a son and grandson. They let everyone in Mankato know they are wealthy and because of that, they feel they are above everyone else in town. She wouldn’t be surprised if Kenny actually thought his $hit didn’t stink. 

“Elise dear,  please come here so I can introduce you.” Reluctantly, Elise steps next to Hazel on the near side of the bed since Kenny was on the far side by the window. Hazel pointed everyone out as she introduced them. After introducing the more mature adults, Hazel said, “and this is my youngest grandson, Kennith. Kennith has always been my favorite, but don’t tell your siblings or cousins,” Hazel whispered loudly while looking toward Kenny, and then laughed. “Everyone, this lovely young woman Is Elise. She is my student nurse today. The gentleman behind her is Jeremiah and he is a Registered Nurse.”

Kenny had the nerve to put his hand out to shake with Elise. No doubt, Kenny figured he would be putting Elise in a pickle because she wouldn’t want to lose her professionalism in front of a patient or coworker. “Nice to meet you. Elise was it?” 

“Yes. Unfortunately Kennith,” she said with a slightly mocking tone, “I’m afraid I haven’t washed my hands yet, so don’t dare touch people or... things. . Hazel, thank you for introducing me. It’s a pleasure to meet your family.”

Kenny’s mother (Kristine) pipes up, “thank you both for taking care of mother. Our family would be lost without her.” She actually wiped an imaginary tear from her eye. Who the h*ll does that?  Kenny’s father has looked at his Rolex at least three times since I arrived, like he cannot wait to get out of here. Or worse, like he has somewhere more important to be. Wow… no wonder Kenny is such a douche with parents like this. Jeremiah and I looked at each other and he raised a single eyebrow at me before we both simply nodded in response. No doubt this family will throw Mom (Hazel) in a long term care facility as fast as possible so they can have control and access to her money. Kenny appears to care, but then he showed me how well he can ‘pretend to care’ too. Okay, snap out of it Eli; it’s not your place to judge as a nurse, only care for your patient. 

As expected, Keith and Kristine Kowalski did not stay long. Kenny and his uncle Kevin and wife Blair, stayed longer. Jeremiah and I made ourselves scarce when there was not something specific we had to be in the room for, to give Hazel privacy with her family. Considering her newly improved condition, we didn’t go far. At 1:45PM, I made my last rounds, thanked Hazel and Jeremiah, and left for my post clinical meeting. 

Thank the good Lord I don’t work tonight. The way my day has done, it would no doubt be a $hit $how.