Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
“Just zapped from the chemo, I think,” Donna says. “It happens. He’ll be back in a couple of days.”
“Okay.” I type the buttons on my screen to cancel Lyndon’s physical therapy session scheduled for this afternoon, and then the meals he won’t be here for through the end of tomorrow. “What else can I do?”
“I know it’s no fun, but since Mike called in sick, I’m going to need you to do the bath assists today.”
I hold in my groan of frustration. I already know the answer to this question, but as a glutton for punishment, I ask it anyway. “Is Tony on today’s list?”
“Mm-hmm,” Donna says, her gaze back on the computer screen.
Bathing Tony is the least favorite job of all CNAs at The Canyons. He’s very large and hairy, and he refuses to do any of the things he could do himself, including move to help us reach his nether regions.
“Okay,” I say, eager to get it done as soon as possible. “It can’t go any worse than it did last time, I guess.”
Last week when I helped Tony with his bath, I worked up a sweat cleaning and drying every skin fold and getting him into a clean gown and underwear when he shit himself, blaming the chili he ate at lunch. The mess was so disgusting I went directly to the staff locker room to shower after cleaning it up.
“I’d do it if I could,” Donna says, “but some administrators will be on the floor this afternoon, and I don’t want to catch hell for doing work a CNA is supposed to be doing.”
“I get it,” I say. “Just know that I may need to shower after this.”
She shakes her head. “That man is just lazy. All the people here who mourn the loss of their dignity, and he proudly refuses to move a damn muscle.”
I scan the bath assist list, finding not just Tony but also five other patients on the list for today, which is more than usual.
“What about my other work?” I ask Donna. “Do I need to do that and the baths?”
“Get your mandatory work done and work in the baths as you can. Second shift can take what you don’t get to.”
Perfect. Tony is going to be last on my list. I swear he was smiling when he announced he’d just shit the bed.
“I’m going to take a five-minute lunch to eat a sandwich,” I tell Donna. “Then I’ll change into my Wonder Woman suit and get as much done as I can.”
“You’re the best, Kylie,” she says, giving me a grateful smile. “Sorry if I’m cranky today; it’s just stress. With Mike out and the brass coming to check up on us, I’m frazzled.”
“It’s okay.”
“You’re an absolute gem. You dive right in and aren’t too lazy to tackle the hard stuff.”
“Thanks. Let me know if you want me to cover you for a quick lunch.”
Donna laughs. “Ain’t happening today, but thanks.”
I speed walk to the break room, where the ham sandwich I packed is waiting for me in the fridge. On the way, I check my phone and see texts from Jasmine and Pax.
Jasmine: Mom, can we get a dog? Please please please please please please!!
Jasmine: If you say yes, I’ll feed him and walk him every day.
Jasmine: I want to name him Moon or Starfish. PLEASE!! I beg you please!!
I sigh at the phone screen, knowing that if I respond she’ll spam my phone with texts the rest of the afternoon. She’s not supposed to use her phone at school, but she often texts me at lunch, and if she really wants to reach me about something, she sneaks in a text other times, too.
I’ll have to tell her no in person later. I open the other waiting message, from Pax.
Pax: Hi. A bunch of us are getting together for dinner at a movie producer’s house in The Ridges tonight. He has a crazy backyard kitchen and pool. Do you and Jasmine want to come with me?
His mention of my daughter gives me pause. I don’t want Jasmine to be part of this fake dating scheme, especially when I’m so unsure if it’s even fake anymore. She’s been through enough, and it would confuse her. I quickly text my brother.
Me: Hey, are you guys going to the dinner thing at the movie producer’s house tonight?
Pike: Yep.
Me: Will there be other kids there too?
Pike: Yeah, everyone’s bringing their kids. It’s a family thing.
Me: Okay, I think Jasmine and I are going with Pax.
Pike: Cool, see you there.
Finding my lunch bag in the break room fridge, I take my sandwich out and quickly scarf half of it while trying to think of how to say what I want to say to Pax without offending him. I decide to just be blunt.
Me: We’d like to go, but…I need you to do something for me.