A Brand New Ending

Chapter 18

Braeden



With my hand propping up my head, I attempt to read what's on the page, but my eyelids protest, drooping constantly as every second passes. I have been at work for 15 hours now, a part of me wishes I hadn't agreed to this double shift. But another part of me doesn't want to be anywhere else but here. My mind shifts to her as it frequently does now, thinking about the moment I gave Phoenix that necklace. The smile on her face was indescribable! It felt f*cking incredible to give someone that much joy. I couldn't care less if I got fired. That smile alone would be worth it. Shaking my head, I try to pay attention to my book again.

"F*ck," I mutter to myself. "I've read this sentence seven goddamn times."

I let out a heavy sigh, slamming the book shut and pushing it away from me. I only have a little over a week left before school starts up again and let's just say I haven't done much of my winter break reading. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. Medical school isn't what I would call easy and it doesn't come as natural to me as it did for my father. But now I couldn't see myself doing anything else. When my mother passed, I knew exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up. Not too many eight year olds know what they want to be, but I did. I wanted to save people. I never wanted anyone else to feel the pain I did when my mother took her own life. Pushing my chair back I stand up, I stretch my hands up over my head, letting out a large yawn, knowing I have to get back to work. I shift to look up at the clock on the wall. Nine a.m.

Most of the patients should be up, breakfast currently being served. I exit the break room and head into the nurses' station, trying to remember what duties I have left. Just as I am about to start, I feel a tap of my shoulder. I turn around to see who it is.

"Braeden, I need to speak to you," he says, flicking his finger in motion for me to follow him.

I set the clipboard down, my stomach doing flip flops. Had he found out? I follow behind, reaching his office door in seconds. He pushes it open, letting me enter first. I sit down in one of the chairs opposite his desk. He walks around the length of it, sitting down in his large, brown leather chair, his hands folded in front. I can feel my heart racing. I know this can't be good. The look on Victor's face is as hard as marble. We both remain silent for a second, his body shifting in his chair, the silence eating me.

"Braeden," he starts to say. "How are you feeling?"

I furrow my brow.

"Fine, sir," I respond. He continues to stare at me.

"You know that I don't like to meddle in people's affairs, but when it comes to our patients and our aides…" he says.

Here we go. We both fall silent again. He lets out a sigh and pulls out a chart, reading through it. The room is so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"I see that we had an incident last night?" he asks, almost as a rhetorical question.

I swallow. "Yes."

"Do you mind explaining that to me?" he says harshly.

I sit up in my chair. "I felt that a patient was at risk," I say sternly. "Is it not my job to protect them?"

My anger is starting to rise.

"There is no need for an attitude," he states. He continues to read the chart, not responding.

"And what about the mother?" he asks.

I don't respond, eventually making him look up.

"I asked you a question," he says harshly. I become nervous, feeling as though we are prying in someone else's business.

"I suspect only the step father has caused her physical pain," I say in a monotone.

"And what makes you suspect that?" he asks.

"The look on her face when she saw him," I mutter.

He narrows his eyes a little. "And my father also suspects," I add quickly. "He was actually the one who suggested that he be removed."

He looks down at the chart again. I can feel my fingers becoming twitchy, wanting to read that chart for myself. I know whatever she has told the doctors and psychologist would be in there. But I could never invade her mind like that.

"I have noticed you have become close with…" he looks down at the chart again. "Miss Harper."

My heart skips a beat. I can't lie. Nor do I want to. I just nod. He doesn't respond and the room falls silent again.

"It's today isn't it?" he asks.

"Excuse me?" I ask, not understanding.

"It's today's date right?" he says softly, his hard expression changing.

I look at the paper calendar on his desk. How could I have forgotten? A lump in my throat greatens. I nod.

"Thank you, Braeden, that's all I needed to know," he says, waving me off.

Getting up from my chair, I exit his office, closing the door behind me. I stretch out my hand, then close it again; realizing they were clenched the whole time. And just as I'm about to be lost in my own head, a faint sound of laughter echo's down the hallway. I don't need to second guess whose it is. Following the sound, I find myself walking by the recreation area, my eyes instantly finding her. She is laughing, a wonderful sight that quite nearly breaks through my sullen mood. I notice that she's wearing makeup, her long hair flowing down the curvature of her back. She is facing me, her eyes finding me quickly. She is still smiling, and as much as I want to return one, I can't.