Finding Love (GxG) -completed-

Chapter 12- Decorating

Sleepily I reached over and pressed snooze on, “Rise up,” by Andra Day. So tempting to go back to sleep, but it was downright inconvenient not to have money when the bills came due. I was on a pretty strict budget so I could focus as much of my time and attention on college as possible until I graduated. Then after graduation I had to focus on passing my NCLEX. I would love to get a paid internship through work after I graduate, but there are only so many slots available each year for new graduates. That being said, I need to do as well as I can in college and at work to make a good impression and get an internship. Slowly I sit up, throw back the covers, and head down for some coffee. Phone in hand, I see a message from Mom and a couple from Evie. I drink one cup of coffee, after I added just enough cold water so it was bearable, fill the cup again and head up to my bedroom to get dressed for work. Andrea sees me walk by her door, “Where the heck you been? We live together but I still rarely see you.”

I did my best to give Andrea a sleepy smile as I backed up to her doorway. “I know… it’s been hectic with work, clinicals, home work, classes. You know the drill. What time is your dad’s appointment on Thursday? Can we just ride together or should I drive myself?”

Andrea’s face scrunched up, “Well, actually Dad said he would prefer no one else comes along. He wasn’t happy I had told anyone he may have breast cancer. He said it makes him feel less of a man.” Andrea looked sad, but quickly recovered and grabbed Elise’s free hand before continuing, “But I cannot thank you enough for offering to come with. It sounds like it could take up to a week to get results from the biopsy anyway, so there really isn’t much reason for anyone to come. If you are here before work Thursday, maybe we can talk then?”

Elise smiles in return. “I understand your dad is feeling insecure. It’s probably not a feeling he is used to since he usually seems larger than life.” Elise squeezed Andrea’s hand because the sad look had returned before attempting to lift her spirits, “I have to get ready for work now, but… I’m off Friday night, are you busy? Maybe we can hang out or catch a movie then?”

Andrea smiled, swung their arms back and forth and said, “It’s a date! Let’s order take out and live stream some movies. Then we can talk and laugh as much as we want. I don’t have to worry about anyone complaining I’m being too loud when we are being silly. Say 5PM Friday? I’ll meet you in the living room. Be there or be square!”

Elise laughed at Andrea’s corniness, one of the reasons she loved her so much. Andrea always knew what to say to make her laugh. Elise gave Andrea a hug, “I gotta run or I’m gonna be late. I’ll keep you and your dad in my prayers. Love you!” Elise ran upstairs and finished getting ready for work before filling her travel coffee mug and running out the door. Usually she would have ridden with Gwyn, but she had started early today due to a call in, to help make up for the shift she missed the other day due to her doctor appointment.

Using her blue tooth, Elise called her mother on the drive to work. Minnesota allows conversations via cell phone, only if it’s hands free. Elise has always tried hard to follow the rules so that some small infringement wouldn’t have major consequences and prevent her from being able to work in healthcare. Before her father’s illness, Elise had considered being a grade school teacher, but after his passing, nursing seemed like the only option. The nurses had made such an impact on Elise the two weeks her father had been in the hospital, that she knew she wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. Elise was not naive enough to believe being a nurse was an easy career choice, but it still stunned her how shook up she was about her seriously ill patient declining at her clinical. This was certainly something Elise would need to give some thought to, and maybe even check in with the college counselor for some ideas on how to put her personal grief aside when dealing with issues at work. Elise wanted to make a real difference as a nurse, not just  punch a time clock and collect a paycheck. Although, money comes in handy too. 

The night at work was busy, but thankfully one of the most enjoyable nights in a while. Recreational Therapists were working with patients to decorate the facility for the upcoming Halloween holiday. Halloween always brought children trick or treating and generally made people smile. Anticipation of all the children that would see the decorations come Halloween had the atmosphere alive with chatter. The days were getting shorter, but that was just par for the course. The weather was still reaching 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and usually in the low 40s at night. Great sweatshirt and bonfire weather. 

Elise finished her shift at 11:00PM and drove home. Still no word from Kam, but maybe she had been busy with work and life. Elise didn’t expect to take up every second of her thoughts, but she was hoping to hear from her soon. Not wanting to seem like a needy, clingy woman, she opted to wait it out and see how long it would take for Kam to call or text her. After all, Kam was the one that asked to see her again, so she would just wait until she asked her out again or called to make plans. Why did waiting have to be so hard?

The drive home went quickly because Elise was deep in thought most of the way. Pulling into her parking spot, she grabbed her back pack, slipped her shoes off inside the door, locked the deadbolt, and headed up to her room. Gathering pajamas and underwear, Elise took a brief shower. Before falling into bed, Elise readied her supplies for her morning routine so she didn’t have to rush quite so much in the morning. This was something Elise had done since she was in kindergarten. Like the saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”