Nora Ray (Ray Trilogy)

chapter Thirteen

When Nora interviewed for the job at the hospital, again she had to face Mrs. Williams, the Director of Nursing.

“Come right in, Nora. Have a seat,” Mrs. Williams said waving toward the chair.

“So, you have one year of premed classes under your belt now,” she said smiling at Nora.

“Yes, Ma’am,” Nora replied. “It’s been very interesting to study Anatomy. Most of my classes at this point have been basics, but I have spent a lot of time in the library studying subjects which give me insight into subjects I will take later.”

“That’s interesting. Most students play the first year or two at college.”

“No, Ma’am, I would never do that,” Nora denied shaking her head. “I worked too hard to get where I am to not take advantage of the opportunity to study.”

“I heard that you lost your father this year, I’m so sorry,” Mrs. Williams shook her head sadly.

“Yes, Ma’am, it was a terrible blow to receive but not unexpected. His heart has been giving out on him for the last few years,” she explained.

“So, I understand that you want to work here for the summer break,” Mrs. Williams commented. “What I can offer you is a shift from ten in the morning until six thirty in the afternoon. Would that interest you?”

“Yes, ma’am, I can work that shift. Thank you.”

Nora left the hospital, happy that she could work in a job where she could get more experience but also have spending money for the summer. When she got home she called Jamie, “Have you had your interview at the hospital yet?”

“Yes, I work the afternoon shift from three to eleven thirty. How about you?” Jamie asked.

“Just got home,” Nora told her what her shift would be.

“Great!” Jamie exclaimed. “I guess we’ll see each other for part of our shift.”

After getting off the telephone with Jamie, Nora looked around for something to do. I know, I’ll go to the library to study molecular biology. If I know something about the subject, it would be fun to help Jeremy with his research.

The first time Jeremy got the chance to pull his mother aside, he explained that he needed a lab, mostly some space to work with tables and a microscope. If she could, he preferred a space in her work room in the back of her flower shop.

“What are you doing, Jeremy?” Samantha inquired. “Is this a project for school?”

“Yes and no.”

“Well, that makes it as clear as mud,” she stated a little puzzled. “Could you explain a little more why you need this? It sounds a bit expensive, and I would appreciate a little more information. I do use that workroom.”

Jeremy glanced around and decided, “Mom, would you take a walk with me. I want to talk to you.”

They walked around to the back of the house and sat at the table under the canopy in the far back of the yard.

Jeremy sat on the bench at the table and leaned his elbows on his knees, “You know how Dad has always had his heart set on my following his footsteps and becoming an attorney like him. I’m his oldest so he has a lot of expectations of me. I totally understand that. I don’t want him to be disappointed in me. It’s like, if I don’t set the example for the younger boys, they may not be successful or something along that line.”

“I have noticed that. Yes,” Samantha nodded.

“Have you noticed that I have chosen to study Business Law?” he asked.

Again she said, “Yes.”

“Remember sometime back when I told you about Nora telling me that her dad suggested my major being Business Administration with Horticulture as my minor?”

“Uhm,” she stretched out her legs, it looked like she might be here for a while. “I thought that would be a good choice for you to take over my business someday, but you have to make your own decisions.”

“You mean, make my own decisions, providing Dad approves.”

She nodded, “To a point, yes.”

“What do you mean, to a point?”

“You are a young man, not a boy. You will turn twenty years old this summer. In spite of what your father says, it’s your life,” Samantha thought, this is what pushing your child out of the nest feels like.

“I’m not trying to make trouble for you and your dad, but if you look close enough there will be a solution that will work for both of you,” she stated turning around toward him to see if he understood what she was saying.

“That’s what I’m talking about, Mom. Why I need this lab. If you can’t spare a space in your workroom, I need somewhere I can work. I need a very good microscope.” Jeremy began to tell her about his studies and what he had learned about molecular biology, the studies into plant breeding, how he felt that he had an idea. If he could perfect it and present it to his professor that he hoped for a scholarship or hopefully a reward that might help him to be financially independent until he could get out of school.

“That’s a very ambitious for an after work science project.”

“Mom,” Jeremy said indignantly. “Are you taking me seriously or are you treating me like a school kid?”

“At this point I think that your dad expects you to work every day in the law office. Do you seriously think you will have enough time to devote to a project as serious as this?” she asked.

Jeremy stood up in frustration and ran his hands through his hair, “Maybe I can’t accomplish this in one summer or even two, but, Mom, I have to try.”

He walked back and forth a minute with his hands in his pockets thinking, then he blurted out, “I need to be with Nora. This is the only thing that I have thought of that gave me any hope of a solution.”

Again Samantha looked at him knowing that now he was getting to the root of the situation and thought of the old quote, ‘Necessity is the mother of invention.’ She knew that her oldest son was capable of genius, but had never really pushed himself to his potential.

She stood up and gave him a hug, “Of course, I’ll do what I can for you.”

Jeremy sighed deeply returning the hug, “Thank you, Mom. You always come through for me.”

When Jeremy arrived at Nora’s house that evening she called, “Come in, we’re eating chocolate cake and ice cream”.

Stepping in the door, he said, “Smells delicious. Any left?”

“Sure, what have you been doing today?” Nora casually asked as she got up to prepare him a dessert.

“Slaying dragons and climbing mountains,” he said shaking his head with a smile.

“Well,” Nora laughed, “You should have used enough energy to appreciate this cake and ice cream.”

Laura looked at him puzzled, “Sounds like you had an eventful day. Was it something bad?”

“I was just joking,” he brushed it off. “I’m really curious about Nora’s job? Did you get it?” he asked turning to her.

“Yes,” she answered proudly, “I will be working from ten in the morning until six thirty in the afternoon.”

“That’s good. I’ll be able to visit with you after work,” he said, then thought, “I need to amend that. You will be able to visit with me after you get off work.”

“What do you mean?”

“I will be working at the law office during the day and Mom agreed today to help me set up a lab, so I can work on my project after hours,” Jeremy shrugged. “I’ll be working but I still want you to come by,” he said cutting his eyes over to Nora.

“Sure, Jeremy, I planned to do that anyway,” she answered trying to be lighthearted about it. She didn’t know how to take this serious Jeremy.

Monday morning Jeremy reported to his dad’s law office and received his instructions about what they needed him to research for them. He proceeded to pull out the appropriate books from the shelves to begin his research.

Nora reported to the hospital with new confidence ready to get started. After being introduced to the people with whom she would be working, she walked around to all the rooms in her unit introducing herself to all her patients. She noticed one patient in particular who reminded her of her dad. She noticed the name Bill Blakely. She quickly scanned to see his diagnosis was stomach flu.

Samantha went to the Lumber yard and ordered a portable building to be placed in the back corner of her flower shop lot. I needed a new building anyway she told herself. At the flower shop she placed an order for the most powerful microscope she could find.

Jeffrey stepped into the law office all dressed up; he introduced himself and shook hands all around.

The office workers snickered behind their hands, finally Cindy Lawrence who sat at the reception desk said, “Jeffrey, you know that we all know you.”

“This is the Jeffrey who plans to join the firm and I am here to learn all I can.”

Cindy happily said, “Wonderful, your Dad didn’t tell us that you were coming.”

Jeffrey smiled conspiratorially and placed his hand by his mouth and hoarsely whispered, “I didn’t tell him.”

Cindy formed an Oh with her mouth.

She promptly placed a stack of papers in his hands as she proceeded to explain how to file them. “Let me know when you’re through and I’ll find another job for you.”

Jeffrey stood holding the papers thinking this isn’t going exactly as I planned.

As soon as Cindy saw that Mr. Littlefield was available she slipped into his office to ask about Jeffrey working in the office.

Donald had a big grin on his face by the time she finished telling him about it. “Really? My boy, Jeffrey! Well, I’ll be!” he exclaimed.

He presented a somber face to Jeffrey when he approached him, “What do you mean by coming in here, telling Cindy that you are going to work here?” he demanded.

“Well, Sir, I want to learn about the stuff that Jeremy is doing here and I knew he would teach me what he knows about it. Sir,” Jeffrey said looking cautiously up at his father. “When Jeremy started, he was the same age that I am. So I wanted to learn, too.”

Cindy sat at her desk with a paper in front of her face to help hide her smile, because Mr. Littlefield was raking poor Jeffrey over the coals when she knew he was tickled that his boy wanted to be part of the law firm.

Mr. Littlefield never cracked a smile as he looked at Jeffrey with his arms crossed over his chest. He acted as if he was judging whether Jeffrey was worthy to be part of the team. Finally, he deemed that Jeffrey had squirmed enough and said, “I will let you work with Jeremy, if he wants to teach you the ropes. If Cindy has other work for you to do, it will come first. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Sir,” Jeffrey let out his breath, “You will not be sorry, Sir.”

“Okay, see that I don’t.” Donald turned and walked past Cindy’s desk and raised his eyebrows and grinned at her.

Again Cindy had to hide behind her paper to hide her smile.

After Donald returned to his office and closed the door, Cindy pointed, “Jeremy is right through that door.”

Jeremy looked up surprised when he heard Jeffrey enter the room.

“Whew!” Jeremy shook himself, “Dad just gave me the third degree about being here.”

“Did he know you were coming? I sure didn’t,” Jeremy asked.

“Well,” Jeffrey squirmed a bit, “No. I figured I’d have a better chance if I just showed up ready for work.”

“You know how he can be,” Jeffrey continued. “He might say no, if he didn’t want to mess with me. If I sprung it on him at least he would have to send me home.”

Jeremy raised his eyebrows similar to what his father had done and said, “It looks to me like you did it the hard way, but you did get results.”

“Jeremy, I want you to teach me everything you can about what you do here.” Jeffrey stated. “By the end of the summer I want to be able to do this on my own.”

“That won’t be hard to do. I can have you ready to research this stuff with little assistance in just a few days.”

“Cool!” Jeffrey commented. He sat down and Jeremy soon had him up to speed on what he should do.