A Time For Love (A Time For Love Series-Book 1)

Trouble

LENA POV

"You are NOT authorized to take a patient from this hospital, Lena! That is not something you do! What if something happened to her?! We'd be looking at a lawsuit!" My boss Adrian yells as Nurse Donna stands off to the side, eyeballing me, and I just want to smack the absolute shit out of her. I knew she loved seeing me get my ass chewed out because she was just dying for me to lose my job, the asshole she was.

"I got permission from her brother, who also agrees she needs to be exposed to outside. Stef also expressed to me how bad she wanted to just go around the block, and quit frankly she needs it. It's not good for her to be cooped up in this hospital for months like this. Months, and no one takes her out except on the cafeteria balcony. How is she supposed to remember anything or get used to being outside if she's not exposed to it?" I say, keeping my cool as I glance back over at Nurse Donna, who rolls her eyes at me.

"Lena, you are looking at a suspension here. That's how serious this is. Only her occupational therapist can take her outside like that, and if it's only on hospital property. That outside thing you did triggered a seizure! Two seizures, might I say. And believe me, if I wasn't so short staffed, and if her brother Michael Foster had not come to bat for you, I'd suspend you right here on the spot with no pay. I would! I also thought Nurse Donna made it clear that it wasn't wise for Stefanie Foster to be around Francesca." She says as I laugh now and shake my head.

"Stef is not a threat to her. At all. She cares a great deal for Bird."

"Lena, she is unpredictable. I would strong discourage that little girl from being around her."

"Listen, I understand that you are my superior. I really do. I respect this hospital and the rules. I always have. Adrian, I do understand that there are going to be certain things and events that may possibly trigger a seizure for Stef. This is her life now, but if she's not taught how to handle it or be aware of it and is not exposed, how do we plan on transitioning her back into society. How?" I ask completely ignoring her ridiculous opinion about Stef being dangerous for Bird. That was something I refused to even acknowledge or addresses because I planned on doing no such thing.

"Lena, with the injuries she has sustained, Stefanie Foster most likely won't ever work again. If I am honest she will not walk in the way she ever did or go about doing things on her own. She will need help for years to come, and even then, she won't be back to what she once was. That is the reality. She is lucky to even be alive, and it is a miracle she has recovered as much as she did so far. But Lena, you are her physical therapist, not her occupational therapist or psychologist. She has a team of people who are helping her. You are just one small part of it, and you need to stick to YOUR part before I find another PT to replace you. I do not want to do that, but I will. Now, return to your office and finish up your patients for today. That's the end of this discussion." She reprimands as I'm so furious right now, so livid that I can't even see straight.

However, I do not make a scene, for I don't want to lose my job as I head straight back to my office and toss my clipboard onto my desk.

"I don't know why she's chewing you out. You're the only one helping that girl." Duke says, closing the door behind him and sitting on my desk now.

"I thought I was."

"You are. Hell, can you be an occupational therapist and PT at the same time? Stef's OT does the bare minimum because your girl screams at her."

"Well, I'm doing both, Duke. I'm trained in both. She needs to be exposed to the outside and begged me to go outside because she's sick of being in here. Of course, I feel awful she had two seizures, I feel terrible, but how will they expect her to transition? She has to have a handle on all these things while transitioning. I can even help her try to prevent one when she feels it coming on. This is what I did at the sports rehab. And she can and wants to. Ridiculous staff. I'm telling you."

"Girl, it's not you. They are all in a tizzy and stressed out about that floor. All of them." He says as I rub my temples even more. Hell, maybe I was more on edge because of my uncle, but the last thing I wanted was for Stefanie Foster to have a seizure because of something I did. "Speaking of which, I checked on your uncle. He's resting and told me he doesn't want you going back to see him."

"Excuse me? That's not happening because I will. How can he say that, Duke." I say, looking at him with even more frustration.

"Because he doesn't want you seeing him like that, honey."

"Well, that's just too damn bad because I will. I will see him. And how did you get down there? The last time I went, they refused to let me in, and I had to go back later on disguised as a surgeon."

"Eh, I have my ways. But you really don't want to go back down there, Lena. I know you love your uncle. If anyone gets it, I do. But that floor is death. I know you don't want to hear that, but it's true. He was pretty adamant about you not going to see him, though."

"Well, he can be as adamant as he wants because that's not happening. I will go see him whether he likes it or not."

"I know, and I think deep inside he wants to see you, honey. Listen, your job is safe. You didn't do anything wrong. That girl needs to get outside before she kills us all from being trapped in here." He says as I laugh now and shake my head. "Bird, okay?"

"Yeah. Won't say much. I'm hoping to skip out and get the tree either today or tomorrow. Something for us to look forward to. Especially since they are insisting I keep Bird away from Stef. It's ridiculous."

"Oh honey, no one can keep her away from Stefanie Foster. And visa versa. Bird has been sneaking into her room since they got here. PLUS, you will be her foster mother shortly, so what YOU say goes."

"You're correct, and I won't listen to that nonsense. Oh, do you have your essay ready?"

"I DO! I finished it up this morning. It's very easy to write a glowing recommendation about you, by the way." Duke says, smiling as I gently grab his hand and hold it.

"Thank you. I appreciate all your help, Duke. You have no idea. And with helping me find an apartment. There is just so much to do in such little time."

"Oh honey, it's easy to help you. Now, go take care of your people and remember you didn't cause Stef's seizure. DO NOT TAKE THAT ON. Even Michael said you didn't. She needed to be exposed to the outside, and we have no idea what memories were triggered. But, don't you dare take that on or let those crazy people make you believe that. Because I'm sure she appreciates you taking her outside."

"Yeah. Thanks, Duke."

"I got you, girl. Now, let me go get your letter so you can finally get approved to foster that little one. She needs ya. We all need you!" He says as I laugh now, shaking my head as he gets up to leave.

All I can do is try hard not to feel guilty about what happened to Stef today, but I do, I feel terrible, and I most likely will for some time.