And After that We Didn't Talk

You'll Learn To Love Me

Chapter 22

Instinctively Jakes untied the person closest to him, me.

"Not her," Reynolds said sheepishly. "Powers has requested her presence later tonight."

Jakes' lips curled up into a dark grin. "I guess you're going to be the newest night nurse. Welcome to the team bubble butt." He selected two miscellaneous nurses and rushed the rest of us inside. "I'll accompany these ladies back to triage 1. Reynolds, you're on guard duty."

I don't know if Reynolds did it on purpose, but he forgot to tie my hands back together.

I immediately went to try the door. It was locked from the outside. "Fuck" I said running my hands through my braids.

"I could have told you that Loquita." Gloria was the first to speak. And to my surprise she was not lecturing me on my recklessness.

"Why is everybody so grim? We have hope. That big boobie nurse passed me this." I said taking the scalpel out of my fanny pack. Gloria's Eyes widened when she saw the sharp blade in my hand. "Kisha, you need to put that away ahora. If they catch you with that, it will be the end of all of us. And I told you already I cannot afford to die with your ass. I have to get back to Yasmine, my little nieta."

"What are you talking about? Why would I put it away? Don't you guys want me to cut your bindings? Don't you want to rescue the other nurse? You wanted a plan, that's the plan."

Before Gloria could reply another female patron, Doctor Han, spoke up. "You really don't get it, do you? That 'other nurse'  that 'big boobie nurse' as you so fondly called her ... She has a name....and a family to get back to...Her name was Josephine. And thanks to you Josephine is probably dead."

"That's not true. You heard it. We have another code blue. Josephine has probably found away to incapacitate Powers and is now fleeing for her life. We should be ready just in case she comes this way," I looked around for confirmation none of the doctors or nurses would meet my eyes. My face locked on to Gloria's. She just shook her head saying nothing.

"You're lying." I continued "These men all have guns. If Powers had wanted her dead, he would have had her shot right there. He would have made an example out of her right in front of us."

"Think about it Altagarcia...Kisha - or whoever you are- why would they allow us all to leave, but not her. That gunshot we heard was probably a signal for the rest of those pigs. They are probably going to have a go at her before they... How did Powers say it, "cut out the tumor." As you pointed out she is voluptuous. We all heard the conversation that was happening in the room. Jakes practically flew down the hall to get a piece. Powers is the whole reason we are being held in this hospital. You don't realize how crazy Powers is, but when you start this new job you will find out."

When realization set in my mouth gaped open. "What the fuck, what the fuck" I repeated as I paced. I put my hands to my box braids and pulled hard. The pain I felt was nothing compared to the guilt that washed over me. If what they were saying was true I just sentenced Josephine to a fate worse than death. Nausea filled me like a sudden wind. I wanted to throw up, but my stomach was completely empty. I did the next best thing bent over and began to dry heave. "This was all my fault. I shouldn't have egged Powers on because at the end that son of a bitch would win."

"This is not the time for a meltdown, Loquita." Gloria was at my side. " As women we are all in constant danger of being in the same boat as Josephine."  I thought about it and nodded. She was right. I have been naive and reckless and I couldn't afford to be that way anymore. Sada's disappearance, Ava and Miguel betrayal, big boobie Josephine's situation all could have been avoided...I need to talk less and listen more.