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"Consider it done. I'll be more than happy to. You can”
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2024-10-29 19:42:56When I get to Keila's room, I find about three nurses already fluttering around inside. they've got my view obstructed so I can't see Keila. But I hear her
whimpering. "Whats going on?", I ask and one of the nurses turns to me "Oh good, you're here", she says, stepping out of my view of Keila who immediately notices me and stretches her hands towards me. "Mommy, I missed you", she whines and I see that her cheeks are tear streaked, her eyes are wet with tears and her monitors are going haywire. "Hey baby", I say, hugging her. She clamps her arms around me with a strength no five year old should be able to muster. "Where were you? You weren't here when I woke" "Yeah, I'm so sorry baby, I'm so sorry". I hug her tightly, scared of letting go. I cry with her, guilt and shame taking turns to overturn my heart. I can't believe I left her. "You were sleeping so soundly honey, I didn't wanna wake you" "Maybe say goodbye next time? Or at least warn her of your absence. She's been upset since she woke and it’s affecting her, she's not responding properly to her medication", Jade, one of the nurses says and I'm swarmed with more guilt. "I'm sorry. I just, I had an appointment" She nods at me and I turn back to my daughter. "I'm sorry baby, I wont leave you again" "Promise?", she asks "Promise", I assure her, still hugging her as one of the nurses rushes around the bed to sedate Keila. In a few seconds, she's knocked out. Jade ushers me out of the room and I follow. She stops at a corner. "The doctor would be here to see you soon", she says and I nod. "Listen, I know how hard it is for you right now, being a single mother and all. And I know you have to find a job too so if there's anyway I can help out-" I cut her off with a hand on her arm. Jade has become my friend over the years, she's been a constant nurse at Keila's side and she's earned my respect. "I am so grateful for all you've done so far. I can't ask anymore from you." "I was just doing my job", she says "You and I both know that it's not a job to you. You love these kids and that's why I trust you around Keila. The only thing I ask is that you take care of Keila. I might not be around all the time, I have to do some job hunting but I would be happy if I know that Keila is with someone I trust and someone she's comfortable with" She takes my hand in hers. "Consider it done. I'll be more than happy to. You can always count on me" I smile at her, thankful that Keila has her as a nurse. I hear a male voice and Jade and I both turn towards the source. The woman down the hall that lost her child is talking with a tall man that looks strangely like the one I bumped into on my way to Keila's room. "That's Emily", Jade starts. "Poor woman lost her son to a severe kidney inflammation this morning. Kid's been battling various autoimmune disorders for years now' "Just like Keila", I add. "Yeah, just like her...and yet vastly different" "Who's he?", lask, referring to the tall man talking to Emily. "Oh, that's her cousin. Prickly man. He's given us all hell since the beginning, he's even worse today" "You can't blame him, he lost his nephew". I might not have lost a child before, but the thought of it alone makes me really sick. I don't know what I'll do if 1 ever lose Keila, she's everything I live for. "Yeah, we can't blame any of them, and that's why we live with it. We're nurses", she says, turning to leave. "I gotta go. Try not to leave without saying goodbye to Keila next time", she calls out and I smile. The smile fades off the moment I turn back towards Emily and her cousin. He glances at me, giving me the best stink eye he's got before turning back to Emily. I take slow steps towards them, planning to offer my condolences. The moment I stop in front of them, Emily offers me a weak sad smile. She seems nice. Meanwhile, her prickly cousin goes on with the stink eye. He seems rude. "Hi", I say, referring to Emily and mostly ignoring her cousin. "Hi", Emily returns. "Uh, I'm Audrey" "I'm Emily, and this is Luther" "Nice to meet you", I say and she nods in response. I'm rooted to the floor for the next few seconds as we're all enveloped in awkward silence. "I saw. This morning, when I was leaving-", I finally find my voice. "Oh, yeah, you're the one that called the nurse? I didn't get the chance to say thank you" I'm almost moved to tears by her kindness. She thought of thanking me for simply calling the nurse when I didn't even actually help. "I tried to help, I'm sorry it didn't really change anything" "Obviously", her obnoxious cousin murmurs from beside me. Emily looks at him in warning before turning back to me. "Still, your help got him medical attention, even if it was too late" "About that, I want to offer my condolences. I can't claim to understand your pain at the moment but I can imagine what it feels like to lose a child" "At the end of the day, your imagination doesn't even come close", her cousin mutters again. "Luther, please", Emily begs tiredly. "I'm sorry, do you have a problem with me?", I ask. "No, but I have a problem with what you're insinuating. You really think your petty imaginations could come any close to the actual pain?" "No. that's not-" "Have you ever lost a child?" "That doesn't-" "Have you ever lost a child?", he asks again, cutting me off. "No, I haven't but...Wait, I this because I bumped into you earlier? If it is then I'm sorry" He scoffs. "She thinks the world revolves around her", he says under his breath as he walks away from us. Suddenly, I feel stupid. I feel like I went about everything the wrong way. "I'm sorry about that. He's extra prickly today", Emily says, pulling me from my self depreciating thoughts. "Maybe I shouldn't have come. I'm sorry if I upset you" "No, it's okay. Thank you for coming at all, and for this morning too. Your help means a lot, even if you doubt it" I want to say more to her but I keep my thoughts to myself, in fear of ruining things even further. "Again, I'm sorry", I say, turning back to Keila's room.Related chapters
Redemption’s Sweet Surprise "I love you okay? Promise me you wont give the nurses a hard time"
Yesterday was a lesson and I don't plan to make the mistake of leaving the hospital again today without saying bye to Keila. Sure, it makes me stay till after dawn so I don't have to wake her from sleep. It definitely eats into my free time today but I don't plan to waste any chance I have to be with my daughter."Hey mommy", she greets the moment she wakes from her sleep. I was worried she'd sleep in till noon since she was stressed out yesterday."Hey sweetie. How do you feel?""Kinda tired, but better since you're here", she says, giving me the cheesiest smile ever."You little cornball", I tease, tickling her as much as is considered safe. That earns me some of her adorable giggles."Keila?" "Yeah?""Mommy has to go out today. Been waiting for you to wake up so I can say bye. I didn't want to leave like yesterday""Oh, okay", she agrees, even as her expression gets gloomy."I love you okay? Promise me you wont give the nurses a hard time""Okay, 'll try not to", she says, a mischi
Redemption’s Sweet Surprise "Hey Audrey. Are you here yet?"
I'm tempted to run in the opposite direction if it wouldn't be so obvious. Emily stops right In front of me."Hey", she greets and I nod in response."Hi. What are you doing here?". Her cousins walks away just as I finish my question.Emily sighs, smiling apologetically. I smile back, hating that she always has to apologize on his behalf when he's the obnoxious prick he's always been."I had to sort out a few things here. How are you?""Great. How have you been you know, coping?""I mean, how else do you cope when you lose a person?", she asks with a sad smile."I'm sorry", I reply shamefully."It's fine. I'm done with my business here. Do you want to go for a walk? You look like you need it" I nod, because she's right, I do need it.For the next hour, Emily and I walk around the hospital premises. Not too far, so l can still get to Keila in time. We talk about her, her son before he died and her life after she lost him. She tells me how it's been difficult accepting that his death wa
Redemption’s Sweet Surprise "What happened to your last job?"
Emily walks past Luther and comes to stand in front of me. I on the other hand can't take my eyes away from Luther and his persistent glare."Hi", she says. "Welcome"I finally pull away from Luther's gaze to face her."What is he doing here?", I ask, aiming for a whisper, but end up talking loud enough for Luther's ears."About that. I forgot to mention that he's the one you'd be working for""What?", Luther and I exclaim at the same time."You can't be fucking serious. Her?", Luther queries, looking disgusted."What is that supposed to mean?", l ask, affronted. I don't want to work for him either but he's looking at me like a stain beneath his shoe."Emily, this isn't what you told me", he says to Emily, pointedly ignoring me and my question."No, what I told you was that I had someone that would be great for the job you wanted. Here she is""No", he says simply, walking away without a second glance. I immediately turn to Emily."Em-", I start but she cuts me off."Listen, I'm sorry
Redemption’s Sweet Surprise "Why can't I stay there too?"
Yesterday, after getting the job with Luther, I had a long talk with Louis and Katie. I needed all the help I can get with taking care of Keila. My job contract states that I'm going to be a live-in caretaker, which means I have even less time with my daughter.I have only little leisure, grocery shopping every Tuesday, and then time off on weekends, I plan to utilize my weekends properly. Keila would be staying at the hospital for care and supervision for the next few months. Katie and Louis would visit her alternatively. It is a great way to allow them both time for other things, and also because Katie hates Louis guts.I already explained to Keila that I have to work to earn money for her stay at the hospital and that she would be seeing me a little less. She didn't like it, but she understood. She knows we've always been short on money and knows how much I have to work to take care of both of us. I hated making her sad but it was necessary.I start work today, and I hope to talk t
Redemption’s Sweet Surprise “Good, I’ll like to have breakfast now”
Luther doesn’t look impressed. He runs his grey eyes over my form for a few seconds, not saying anything. The look in his eyes convey his disgust. He’s never liked me, even made his dislike for me obvious. Before now, he honestly had no reason for that but right now, I hate that I gave him a reason to actually dislike me. I hate that I’m proving his point and feeding his stupid ego.I expect him to scold me, or even fire me at the spot. Surprisingly, all he does is to grumble out a firm “you’re late”, then he walks away, not giving me any more attention.I hurry towards him, his strides are long so it takes me a few seconds to catch up and then when I do, it’s hard to keep up with his steps. He must notice my struggle because he stops walking and turns to face me.“What are you doing?”, he asks, seemingly unhappy about my skittering around him.“I, uh, nothing”He runs that uncomfortable gaze over me again, making me self conscious, then he turns around to face me completely.“Listen,
Redemption’s Sweet Surprise “Just remember that it’s all for Keila”
Keila looks frailer, but at the same time, she looks happy to see me, and that’s enough.“Hey mommy, aunt Katie got me a lollipop and new toys”, she reports happily. I frown. Unlike other kids, Keila has strict restrictions on her diet so no matter how much she craves the snacks, sweets and outdoor games other kids play, it’s imperative that she’s only permitted to them once in a blue moon.I’m happy she got to have a lollipop after so long, but I’m also angry at Katie for giving it to her. Sure, she was being thoughtful and only wanted to make my daughter happy, but I’m still really worried.“What did you say to her?”, I ask, instilling manners even at the height of worry. She smiles, her little teeth on display.“I said, Thankyou aunt Katie, I hope you break the rules for me again next time”. Her response is accompanied by a cheeky smile and a mischievous twinkle in her eye. I laugh, unable to scold her and just generally happy that she still maintains this side of her.“Okay, okay,
Redemption’s Sweet Surprise Get it out of my sight
The next day, I’m looking through Luther’s diet and restriction list in awe. There are so many things he’s not required to eat and then there are more foreign foods here than normal. I wonder if he has allergies.I get to work immediately, not willing to piss him off so early in the morning. The dish is fairly easy to prepare, the recipe simple. The only difficulty is working with strange ingredients but I somehow figure it out. Thankfully, I get it done nicely and finish up in time. Salad already showed me where Luther eats. In the mornings, he stays in the dining room for breakfast and sometimes if Emily is around, they have breakfast together. During lunch, he takes his food in his office. Dinner is mostly in his office too, with a few times that he chooses to eat in the dining if he finishes work early.When I get to the dining room, I see Luther already seated and reading a newspaper.That’s very ancient of him.I set the food down in front of him with a subtle smile. Luther take
Redemption’s Sweet Surprise “What are you doing here?”
I haven’t seen Luther since breakfast. He’s been in his office since. I video called Keila immediately I left his office earlier. She looked very happy to see my new room and kept asking me when she can visit, I couldn’t break her little heart by telling her they don’t know I have a daughter and so I can’t bring her over, so instead, I told her she can come when she gets better enough to be discharged. She agreed. Hopefully, by then I would have earned enough for her surgery and would be out of here. I wasn’t going to tell her that though, the goal was to protect her precious heart from breaking.We talked for a while before I let her go so she can take a nap. I took my own nap too almost immediately we ended the call.When I woke up, I went to continue about my duties. I’m required to do Luther’s laundry and also clean his room. He’s anal about the positions of items in his room and how regularly it should be cleaned so I’m expected to make his expectations.He’s still working so thi
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Redemption’s Sweet Surprise “When are you having the surgery?”
I take Luther’s breakfast to his office and watch as he takes the first bite.“You approve?”, I ask immediately he swallows.“Yes”, he says. “I obviously have to, I basically made it”Asshole. I don’t comment though, I need to be on his good side to ask for what I want. “So, uh, I wanted to ask you about something”“What is that?”, he grumbles out as he keeps eating. Not really bothering to look at me. “I was wondering if I could be paid in advance?”That pauses him in his eating and he looks up at me, pensive.“May I ask why?”“I need to pay off some bills”“The bills can wait”“They really can’t”, I say and he ignores me.I sigh. “It’s an emergency”“What do you need the money for?”“Like I said, bills”“Not good enough”, he says gruffly, going back to his food.I try to come up with a way to convince him without letting it slip that I have a daughter stashed in the hospital somewhere.“I might need to get an urgent hysterectomy and I need the money for the procedure”He freezes for
Redemption’s Sweet Surprise “Add a little more water”
“Less salt”, Luther instructs from behind me.“It’s less than a pinch already”, I complain.“Reduce it”. He’s not budging so I obey and reduce it as he instructed.It’s been a week since the last breakfast I made him and we’re currently in the kitchen and I’m preparing his breakfast after I took the first meal to him and he told me to toss it away, then dragged me here to supervise me as I make a new plate. The past twenty minutes has been hell with him breathing down my neck and criticizing my every move.“The pot is too hot”“Reduce the fire”“Wrong spatula”“Not enough butter”These are a few of the many things he’s corrected. Some were honestly unnecessary and simply petty if you ask me, but yes, let’s indulge the embodiment of pettiness that is Luther Chapman.We’re on the sauce now and I’m quite surprised that we managed to get here. I somehow expected that we’d be here till night with him micromanaging my actions.I pick up the pepper and I’m about to sprinkle some in when his
Redemption’s Sweet Surprise “What are you doing here?”
I haven’t seen Luther since breakfast. He’s been in his office since. I video called Keila immediately I left his office earlier. She looked very happy to see my new room and kept asking me when she can visit, I couldn’t break her little heart by telling her they don’t know I have a daughter and so I can’t bring her over, so instead, I told her she can come when she gets better enough to be discharged. She agreed. Hopefully, by then I would have earned enough for her surgery and would be out of here. I wasn’t going to tell her that though, the goal was to protect her precious heart from breaking.We talked for a while before I let her go so she can take a nap. I took my own nap too almost immediately we ended the call.When I woke up, I went to continue about my duties. I’m required to do Luther’s laundry and also clean his room. He’s anal about the positions of items in his room and how regularly it should be cleaned so I’m expected to make his expectations.He’s still working so thi
Redemption’s Sweet Surprise Get it out of my sight
The next day, I’m looking through Luther’s diet and restriction list in awe. There are so many things he’s not required to eat and then there are more foreign foods here than normal. I wonder if he has allergies.I get to work immediately, not willing to piss him off so early in the morning. The dish is fairly easy to prepare, the recipe simple. The only difficulty is working with strange ingredients but I somehow figure it out. Thankfully, I get it done nicely and finish up in time. Salad already showed me where Luther eats. In the mornings, he stays in the dining room for breakfast and sometimes if Emily is around, they have breakfast together. During lunch, he takes his food in his office. Dinner is mostly in his office too, with a few times that he chooses to eat in the dining if he finishes work early.When I get to the dining room, I see Luther already seated and reading a newspaper.That’s very ancient of him.I set the food down in front of him with a subtle smile. Luther take
Redemption’s Sweet Surprise “Just remember that it’s all for Keila”
Keila looks frailer, but at the same time, she looks happy to see me, and that’s enough.“Hey mommy, aunt Katie got me a lollipop and new toys”, she reports happily. I frown. Unlike other kids, Keila has strict restrictions on her diet so no matter how much she craves the snacks, sweets and outdoor games other kids play, it’s imperative that she’s only permitted to them once in a blue moon.I’m happy she got to have a lollipop after so long, but I’m also angry at Katie for giving it to her. Sure, she was being thoughtful and only wanted to make my daughter happy, but I’m still really worried.“What did you say to her?”, I ask, instilling manners even at the height of worry. She smiles, her little teeth on display.“I said, Thankyou aunt Katie, I hope you break the rules for me again next time”. Her response is accompanied by a cheeky smile and a mischievous twinkle in her eye. I laugh, unable to scold her and just generally happy that she still maintains this side of her.“Okay, okay,
Redemption’s Sweet Surprise “Good, I’ll like to have breakfast now”
Luther doesn’t look impressed. He runs his grey eyes over my form for a few seconds, not saying anything. The look in his eyes convey his disgust. He’s never liked me, even made his dislike for me obvious. Before now, he honestly had no reason for that but right now, I hate that I gave him a reason to actually dislike me. I hate that I’m proving his point and feeding his stupid ego.I expect him to scold me, or even fire me at the spot. Surprisingly, all he does is to grumble out a firm “you’re late”, then he walks away, not giving me any more attention.I hurry towards him, his strides are long so it takes me a few seconds to catch up and then when I do, it’s hard to keep up with his steps. He must notice my struggle because he stops walking and turns to face me.“What are you doing?”, he asks, seemingly unhappy about my skittering around him.“I, uh, nothing”He runs that uncomfortable gaze over me again, making me self conscious, then he turns around to face me completely.“Listen,
Redemption’s Sweet Surprise "Why can't I stay there too?"
Yesterday, after getting the job with Luther, I had a long talk with Louis and Katie. I needed all the help I can get with taking care of Keila. My job contract states that I'm going to be a live-in caretaker, which means I have even less time with my daughter.I have only little leisure, grocery shopping every Tuesday, and then time off on weekends, I plan to utilize my weekends properly. Keila would be staying at the hospital for care and supervision for the next few months. Katie and Louis would visit her alternatively. It is a great way to allow them both time for other things, and also because Katie hates Louis guts.I already explained to Keila that I have to work to earn money for her stay at the hospital and that she would be seeing me a little less. She didn't like it, but she understood. She knows we've always been short on money and knows how much I have to work to take care of both of us. I hated making her sad but it was necessary.I start work today, and I hope to talk t
Redemption’s Sweet Surprise "What happened to your last job?"
Emily walks past Luther and comes to stand in front of me. I on the other hand can't take my eyes away from Luther and his persistent glare."Hi", she says. "Welcome"I finally pull away from Luther's gaze to face her."What is he doing here?", I ask, aiming for a whisper, but end up talking loud enough for Luther's ears."About that. I forgot to mention that he's the one you'd be working for""What?", Luther and I exclaim at the same time."You can't be fucking serious. Her?", Luther queries, looking disgusted."What is that supposed to mean?", l ask, affronted. I don't want to work for him either but he's looking at me like a stain beneath his shoe."Emily, this isn't what you told me", he says to Emily, pointedly ignoring me and my question."No, what I told you was that I had someone that would be great for the job you wanted. Here she is""No", he says simply, walking away without a second glance. I immediately turn to Emily."Em-", I start but she cuts me off."Listen, I'm sorry
Redemption’s Sweet Surprise "Hey Audrey. Are you here yet?"
I'm tempted to run in the opposite direction if it wouldn't be so obvious. Emily stops right In front of me."Hey", she greets and I nod in response."Hi. What are you doing here?". Her cousins walks away just as I finish my question.Emily sighs, smiling apologetically. I smile back, hating that she always has to apologize on his behalf when he's the obnoxious prick he's always been."I had to sort out a few things here. How are you?""Great. How have you been you know, coping?""I mean, how else do you cope when you lose a person?", she asks with a sad smile."I'm sorry", I reply shamefully."It's fine. I'm done with my business here. Do you want to go for a walk? You look like you need it" I nod, because she's right, I do need it.For the next hour, Emily and I walk around the hospital premises. Not too far, so l can still get to Keila in time. We talk about her, her son before he died and her life after she lost him. She tells me how it's been difficult accepting that his death wa
