He regarded me for a split second. “Like what, if I may ask?”
“It’s quite personal, Sir. I can’t share the details with you. I really do hope you understand.”
He leaned back into the seat, tapping his temple with his index finger. “Hmm…”
I interfered with his train of thought. “Sir, I tried not to let emotions get in the way of discharging my duties with due diligence, but I guess it’s not working.
I know it’s unprofessional, and I am ready to receive whatever disciplinary action you deem appropriate. But, I can't be Mr. Brown’s home nurse anymore.”
I set the ball rolling, but I had no control over where it would go. I sincerely prayed that there would be no repercussions to my decision.
But if at the end of the day, it boiled down to losing my job, then I would gladly bear my cross. Besides, Gramps had left me his fortune and a whooping trust fund that I had barely touched. I had nothing to lose.
Dr. Shepherd looked baffled and deep in thought, but there was no way I was going to tell him in plain terms the reason for my resignation.
That I'm a coward, who was trying to run from my feelings, and hoping against hope that it doesn’t catch up with me.
“You are on the morning shift, right?” He asked, breaking into my thoughts.
“Yes, Chief,” I replied promptly.
“Great. So, I will page you before the end of your shift. I really need to think this through, but I can assure you that no sanction will be meted out to you. We all have things that we can't stand at the end of the day.”
He must have figured that whatever personal reason I had, that necessitated the resignation, was valid enough.
“Okay, Sir.” I stood up to leave. “Thank you for your time.”
“You are welcome.”
True to his words, the Chief paged me during my recess. His conditions were very clear. I had to find a replacement for myself as soon as possible; only then would he accept my resignation.
It was not going to be a difficult task, though… Melony would be over the moon to take my place.
***
“Can you handle it?” I asked Melony, with a plea in my eyes, as we ate our cheeseburgers and chips at the cafeteria. I had stayed behind until she came to work so I could talk her into accepting to be my replacement.
She always claimed that she wanted to trade places with me in administering care to Kevin, but right now, she didn’t look excited at the offer.
“Wait, Licia. If you don’t mind me asking again, why exactly are you resigning?” She queried thoughtfully.
“Didn’t you hear me earlier? It's for personal reasons.”
“Did he make any sexual advances at you? Is he a predator?” Her eyes widened as she made the allegations.
“No… Melony! Geez, it’s nothing like that. He is really a chill guy.” I defended him, wondering why Melony had to think of him in that light.
“Don’t blame me for assuming the worst. You didn't leave me a lot of options to choose from. If he is a cool dude, and hasn't made any inappropriate advances toward you, so what is it?”
“You don't give up, do you?” I hinted.
She giggled, “you know me too well. So, tell me. No more games.”
I had to think fast. “I think I'm beginning to nurse feelings for him in my heart, and I can’t keep at it. I don’t want to be heartbroken in the long run.” At least this much was not entirely a fib.
She squinted, pursing her lips, “I don’t believe you. For all the years we have been working together, you have barely paid attention to any guy, not even Corbin who has a serious crush on you, and now out of the blues, you have feelings for Kevin Brown?”
“Seriously though. I am not kidding.”
