New York, Chicago

Chapter 34: It's Just for the Weekend

"Is your bag packed princess?" Sighing, I zip the suitcase and place it on my floor. Grandpa, Sharon, and my dad have worked out a schedule for me. I would alternate between my dad and Sharon on the weekends, and stay with my grandpa during the week.

I don't really want to be anywhere but with my grandpa, but I guess I don't have a choice. I did have to spend time with all my family members.

"Yes papa" throwing my bag down the stairs, I see Sharon at the door. Hugging my grandfather, he assured me I will see him Monday afternoon. "Behave princess, or no new break room"

Seeing that the outcome of the new break room falls on me, there probably won't be one.

——

As Sharon drives down the road, Elizabeth tries her best to not turn the radio, or put in her AirPods.

Her maternal grandmother was listening to gospel music, something Elizabeth thought she escaped when she got to Chicago.

It didn't help that Sharon was humming on Friday night either.

As much as Elizabeth loves being with her grandfather twenty-four seven, she knows that he needs a break as well.

It was going to be hard for her not to FaceTime someone from the unit, or text them, but she was.

"Hey Sharon, do you have to work tomorrow?" Praying that she could at least sleep until nine o'clock, her prayers are not answered when Sharon confirms that they have to be a Chicago Med for eight in the morning.

As soon as they pulled up to Sharon's home, Elizabeth grabbed her bag, and Blue-Jays collar. "I went ahead and got some things for Blue-Jay, it's all set up in your room"

Thanking the woman, Elizabeth follows her to the room that has been set up, particularly for her. Telling the dreaded woman that she is not hungry, Elizabeth looks into the closet to see pairs of clothes hanging in there already.

Guessing that Sharon wanted there to be clothed over here, Elizabeth noticed that she didn't need to bring anything from home.

Placing her phone on charge, Elizabeth heads to take another shower before heading to bed.

It was a thing Elizabeth has always had a habit of doing. If she went out somewhere after taking a shower for the night, she had to take another when she got home.

It had only been days since Elizabeth got her hair flat ironed, but she could tell she would need to wash her natural hair as soon as she got back to her grandfather.

Wrapping her hair, Elizabeth places an outfit out for the next day, says her prayers, calls Rio, and falls asleep.

——

Sharon was quick to check up on Elizabeth about thirty minutes after she left the young girl's designated room at her residence. Opening the door to find Elizabeth sleeping peacefully, with her back facing the window, and her front body facing the door, Sharon leaves the young child be.

To Sharon, Elizabeth looked nothing like her, or April. Elizabeth was a spitting image of Hank, and surprisingly, she reminded her of his late wife, Camille.

But, she could tell Elizabeth got her skin tone from Sharon's mother. The light mocha brown skin was something Sharon was positive Elizabeth couldn't get from anywhere else.

——

Walking into the ED the next morning, I was already pissed at the world.

Sharon made us 'dress nicely'. I was wearing an actual dress. I really wanted to call and cry to someone, but my favorite people were unavailable until tomorrow night.

Of course, Sharon had to make conversation with Maggie. Don't get me wrong, I love Maggie; she's been an aunt to me during my whole Chicago trauma, but I want to change out to this ridiculous outfit.

Spotting Will Halstead, he gives me a look, before pointing to the outfit. Mouthing 'help me', Will simply laughs at me, and heads to clock in.

Damn those Halsteads

I notice that Jay and Kevin were here this mornings. Guessing that there must be a case, I try at all costs to avoid them as I walk past them. But of course, luck is never on my side

"Eli?" Turning to face Jay, I get mad all over again at Sharon as she is now talking to someone else. "Hey freckles, hey Kev"

Giving me a response, Kevin asks me "What's up with the outfit Le-Le? You hate dresses, unless it's for a funeral." Getting closer to the guys, "Sharon wouldn't let me wear what I picked out, and Blue-Jay is up in her office. So, if I go on a rampage, it's on her. But, I'm just staying quiet, and counting down the hours that I got until I go home"

Dragging out the home, I walk away from the guys, leaving them both laughing at how silly I was being. Finally making our way to her office, I am reunited with Blue-Jay.

No matter how much I try to tell myself I don't need a service dog, I sometimes lend on Blue-Jay for everything. Finally calming down, I see that Sharon is talking to Brian. He tells me, hello, and of course, I had to get smart with him, "Where's Barry? Tell him I said hello"

Getting a look from Sharon, I shrug my shoulders and lay down on the couch in her office. I'm not sure what it is about everyone having a couch in their office, but I'm not complaining at all.

Getting comfortable, I stretch out and play my Nintendo Switch. I see that Adam is online, but I don't want any type of connection with any of them until tomorrow evening. So, I decline his offer to play together online.

From Johnny Appleseed: let's play together. I need a better partner than Erin

Laughing at Adam, I decided to leave him on read; and I continue to play with random people. It's not that I don't want to play with him, because together we're unbeatable, but I just want to put some distance when I'm with my dad or Sharon.

I don't need them getting mad that I'm not paying attention or or mad over the fact that I'm bored with them and want to FaceTime someone from intelligence.

Shutting off the device, I look over to see that Sharon is still talking to the legal team. I pack all of my stuff up, and walk towards the door. "Elizabeth, where are you going young lady?"

Not missing a beat, "to the cafeteria, then to my appointment with Doctor Charles. I'll inform you when I make it."

Leaving the room, I head straight to the cafeteria. Truth is, I don't have an appointment today with Doctor Charles, my appointments are on Monday and Friday. I only see I'm on other days if there's an emergency.

After finding something decent to eat in the cafeteria, I walk toward the ED. Spotting Will, I see him head my way. Knowing I cannot turn and walk the way I came; I wait for him to reach me. "Le-Le, what are doing down here?"

Telling Will that I'm bored, he gives me a stack of files. "I usually use these on older kids. These are fake files, and these blank documents are for you to write on. Diagnose your patients, and then bring them back here. I'll check it when you are done."

Nodding and telling Will, 'Thank you", Earl escorts me back to Sharon's office.

Back to hell, I guess