Perfect Match, page 25
Trevor’s politeness evaporated. “I can’t believe you’d ask a stupid question like that. Are you losing touch with reality? You don’t do science by moving numbers around willy-nilly. It doesn’t change anything.” He blew out a puff of air, raking his right hand across his weary face.
Roscoe keeping his cool said, “I know it won’t change anything. I was just wondering about something that I know nothing about. So…?”
Trevor snatched the papers from Roscoe’s hand. “Let me see if I can come up with a brilliant answer to a ridiculous question.” Although visibly irked by Roscoe’s question, he mentally began reversing the numbers.
Roscoe and Rachel waited…for what, neither knew. Time seemed to be an empty yawning hole.
Trevor’s brow wrinkled. He thumbed through a couple more sheets. He looked up at them. He looked at his watch. “I’ve got to hurry. I’m going to be late.” He spun on his feet and ran from the room.
Roscoe and Rachel heard his shoes pounding down the vinyl hall bypassing the elevators heading for the stairs. They looked at each other in silence.
Selena had finished breakfast and had a spike of energy. She felt good again, almost like her old self, but she knew the see-saw feeling all too well. Feel good one minute, then terrible the next. She’d have to conserve her strength by remaining in her hospital bed, forget about the sunroom, and just work on her novel. She thought, I must have everything in place.
She thought about her restless night last night. The nightmares, waking up in a cold sweat, missing her mom, wishing she could go back home to her small bedroom.
Her mind drifted for a moment thinking of her bedroom and how it had been such a big part of her world the past couple of years. She’d made lots of phone calls to her friends from that bedroom. She’d started her novel sitting at her used desk beside her bed. Her favorite books were neatly lined on the bookshelf her mom had given her for her sixteenth birthday. I love my books. Thank you, Lord, for the joy of reading and writing.
Trevor came off the bottom flight of stairs in a huff. Before entering the hall leading to the lab he tucked in his shirt, and straightened his lab coat. His shirt collar was soaking wet with perspiration.
As he entered the lab, Marilyn, one of the lab techs who had the hots for him said, “Hey there cutie. I thought you were gone. Soo-o-o glad to see you back.” She flicked her lashes at him.
Dreading having to waste time with her, he, smiled and said, “Yeah, well I’m in a bit of hurry.” He quickly scanned the lab for an available computer. All were occupied. Damn! Then he noticed a hand scribbled sign on one of the printers. “What’s wrong with the alpha printer?”
Marilyn giggled. “Started acting up again. Doris said it had been malfunctioning off and on the past few days. You’ll have to use the bravo printer or one of the others, if you can get a place in line. Doris said the lab had been busy all night.”
“Yeah, tell me about it. I was here most of the night.”
Sidling closer to him she said, “What you working on? Something I can help with?” She smiled and wet her lips.
“Uh, not really. Just doing a little extra credit project for my portfolio. Just wanted to double check a couple of things.” Nothing like having to explain every freaking detail to nosey people. He scanned the room again for a vacant computer. Looking at her, he asked, “Who’s up next for their break?”
“Hmm, not sure.” She looked at him a moment. “I’ll take my break early and you can use my computer station, but only if you agree to attend my birthday bash next Thursday at the Rockout Club. Deal or no?”
Trevor was starting to sweat again. “I think…I think I’m free that night. Not sure but I think so. Sounds like fun.” Before thinking he reached out and hugged her.
She clung to him whispering, “Your body feels sexy, Trevor. I’ve got everything you want in a female. Just give me a chance, huh?”
“You’re about to get me addled. I need to think clearly, can’t mess up this project. Thanks for use of the computer.” He laughed nervously, stepping back.
“Okay, I better see you at my party.” She winked at him, swinging her hips as she walked away.
He barely had minutes before the all-seeing supervisor, Alberta Simmons, arrived in the lab. He schooled himself to make no mistakes. Every stroke on the keyboard had to be accurate the first time. He clicked through the layers of security protocol, user id, password, but he also knew a couple of over-rides that he’d learned that would minimize his presence on the network.
His data was on his flash drive. He inserted it in the USB port, made some quick double checks. Everything was in order or it had better be. No second chances. The clock was ticking and the damn supervisor was probably locking her car heading for the building entrance. The most on-time woman he’d ever known.
He hit the print button, and began exiting from the computer, backing through the security layers, and pocketing his flash drive.
By the time he got to the printer, Meg, a lab newbie was collecting her print job. She was looking through her sheets, noticing that she’d picked up additional pages.
“Sorry about that, Meg. You beat me to the printer.”
“What is this stuff anyway? Hey, I’ve seen that kind of chart in one of my textbooks last year. Transplant stuff. Who’s up for a transplant?”
“Oh, no, nothing high tech like that. Just a little side project I’m working on for extra credit.” His laugh made a quacking sound.
“I thought you were through with classes.”
“I am but I’m toying with a couple of ideas for next year. Got to keep building my portfolio so I can get me a job like you’ve got one of these days.”
“Don’t patronize me, Trevor.” She stomped off.
The lab supervisor was coming through the door heading for her corner office. Trevor folded his printed report twice, jammed it into his lab coat pocket, and sauntered for the door leading to the hall.
The supervisor walked toward him. “I wasn’t aware that you were scheduled for work this morning.” She stared waiting for an answer.
“Oh, hi, Mrs. Simmons, I just dropped by to get my…my pen.”
“You forgot your pen?” Stern probing tone.
“Yes ma’am. Is that a problem?”
“The pen isn’t a problem, but your forgetting is a problem. We’re not running a kindergarten here. This is a very serious place to work. Forgetting will not get you very far in this world. Are you aware of that, Trevor?” She scowled as she had been doing from birth sixty years ago.
“Yes ma’am I am, and I thank you for reminding me. I do appreciate your helpfulness. You’ve really been a good supervisor. I’ve learned so much from you.”
She preened at his comments. “I try, Trevor. I try. Your continued appreciation of good management leadership will take you far in this profession. Don’t you forget that.”
“Yes ma’am. I’ll remember.”
She turned looking out across the lab area at the technicians hunched over their work stations. “I’d better check and see what kind of shenanigans these worker bees have been up to overnight. Dear me, there’s always a ton of work waiting for me to straighten out.” She walked off, as if she’d never had a conversation with Trevor.
He was grim-faced as he left the lab and headed to the staff restroom for men through another doorway down the hall. He stepped inside, quickly noticing that no one was in the bathroom. He walked over to one of the sinks, looking at himself in the mirror. He literally looked like death on legs. He ran the cold water splashing it on his face several times, before drying off with paper towels.
He finally let out a deep breath of air, as he thought about a change of career. Something like a forest ranger living fifty miles from nowhere and no damn nosey people pounding you with frivolous questions. Maybe Selena would come live with me as my wife someday. If only… His eyes watered thinking about her.
Rachel was completing a patient report when her phone rang. “This is Rachel Johnson.”
She listened, and then said, “I can meet you in his room in about thirty minutes. Any problems?” She nodded.
As the call ended, she sighed with a silent prayer. She finished her report but had to double check it because her thoughts had drifted off task. A no-no for a nurse of her experience and caliber.
After nursing for twenty-five years, and the long days on her feet and the demands of nursing were beginning to take their toll. But retirement did not seem to be an option anytime soon. She had a grown son and daughter living back home with her while they looked for work, and her grandson had daycare and other needs. The burden was hers.
Rachel made her rounds to her other six patients, ending up in Roscoe’s room. He was standing at his window watching the activity on the sprawling front lawn of the hospital campus. He also noted the darkening overcast sky. Strong thunder storms were forecast for overnight.
He was dressed in khakis and blue short-sleeve shirt. He’d slipped on his casual loafers. He turned at the sound of Rachel entering the room. “Heard anything yet from Trevor?”
Looking a little puzzled she said, “He called and I told him I’d meet him in your room about now.” She glanced at the wall clock. “Didn’t he call you?”
He shook his head. “Did he say anything about…?” His voice faded.
She shook her head and stared at the floor.
Roscoe walked to his door peering up and down the hall. He turned and got his smartphone on the small bed stand, hitting one of his speed dial numbers. He left a voice mail. He hit the next speed dial number, leaving another voice mail. Sighing, he hit the third speed dial. After the message played he said, “Trevor, this is Roscoe. Just wondering how things are going. Please give me a call ASAP. Thanks.” He clicked his phone shut. “Don’t know why he’s not answering at any of his numbers. He raked his hand through his thick black hair, feeling helpless.
His room phone rang. “Yes? Yes, this is room 405.” He paused. “Lunch? You want me to order lunch?” His head rolled back, staring at the ceiling, and then the wall clock. “Uh, yes I’ll order. Let me have double orders of fresh fruits, apples, bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, raisins, two cups of yogurt, three packs of peanuts, and three containers of cranberry juice. That ought to do it.”
Rachel said, “Well for a man with an ailing foot you surely have an interesting appetite. I noticed as you walked I didn’t detect even the slightest limp, and yesterday you were really in major pain. Tsk! Tsk! My, what a quick recovery, Fallington.” She chuckled. “You’re not even a good actor.”
“I’m practicing getting well, since you’re going to throw me out of the hospital tomorrow.” He raised an eyebrow. “Any chance of delaying that release?”
She snapped. “Don’t ask any more favors of me. I’m so far out on the limb now I’ll probably end up getting fired because of all this…this crazy idea of yours. Trevor probably got caught doing something unauthorized, and is being fired as we speak. This is a damn mess, all because of you, Fallington.” She knew she’d vented too much toward a patient, but Roscoe had tried her patience to the nth degree. Hell, the devil wouldn’t even want his aggravating soul, she thought.
“Now, Rachel, just calm down. You’re not going to lose your job. You’re too good a nurse. Cobalt needs you.” He paused a moment. “If it’s worth anything, I need you. So any chance of delaying my release?”
Rachel gave him a penetrating glare, and then wheeled around and stalked from his room.
Roscoe thought a moment. That means she’ll see what she can do.
Lunch came. Roscoe feasted on his assortment of fresh fruits, nuts, and juice. Still no call back from Trevor. Where was he? Maybe he did get fired. Okay, he needed to eat. Maybe he had an accident. Maybe he had some class work. He did mention being a double or triple major. Maybe he just didn’t want to be involved with this situation. The questions kept banging around, but Roscoe had no other option except wait.
He reached for his Tablet again going through his plans that may never materialize. He’d never had to worry about plans working or not. In his past life it didn’t matter. He always had the safety net of wealth ready to catch him after any blunder. With that who needed a plan? But now his plan either works or he falls flat. Hell, I don’t even have a backup plan. Wonder if that’s what it feels like a hundred miles offshore in a rowboat without a paddle, radio, or life preserver?
He mentally went through his plans again, and then again. He reclined the adjustable sitting chair, closing his eyes to give his brain a brief rest.
He awoke two hours later with Rachel tapping his arm. “Fallington. Wake up.”
He was confused coming out of his sleep. “What? What’s going on?”
She chuckled. “I’m glad to see that some people can snooze when they want to. Some of us have to work whether we want to or not.”
“Oh, sorry about that. I don’t know what happened. Last thing I remember, I was doing some computer stuff.” He shrugged.
“I wanted to let you know Selena asked if you would come to her room.” Her face was blank.
“Is she okay?”
She shook her head. “Don’t be surprised when you see her. She’s very pale.”
Roscoe moved quickly to get in his wheelchair. They headed for Selena’s room. Two other nurses were finishing up. One had just given her some additional sedative; she’d been agitated and restless.
He rolled up to her bedside. Pale was an understatement. He spoke softly. “Hi, Selena. What’s going on?”
She responded weakly, “Rough night and rough day. My typical roller coaster ride.” A weak smile spread across her teenage face.
He reached for her left hand. She gave his large hand a weak squeeze. “Thanks for coming by. Her right hand reached inside her worn messenger bag, bringing out a blue flash drive, placing it in his other hand. “This is my completed novel, Roscoe. You’ve really been supportive of me in the short time I’ve known you. For some reason I’ve come to trust you like no other.” Her bottom lip quivered. “I don’t feel like I’m going to see my novel published, so I’d like you to see if you can get it published someday.” She took a deep breath. “If not, I’ll be happy just knowing that you and my mom have read my romance story.”
Roscoe’s heart was pounding. He’d never been this emotionally affected by the experiences of another person. This was unchartered territory for him.
Selena looked up at Rachel standing behind him. “Rachel, make sure he follows through with this. You know he can be stubborn sometimes.” Her mischievous grin flashed briefly.
He said, “Listen to me, Selena. I’m expecting you to see your book published. I’m feeling very hopeful that something good is going to come off that transplant list. I want you to hang in there and fight with me. Okay?”
Her voice growing weaker and sleepy, she said, “You’ve turned out to be a pretty good optimist. I like that…you’re a special… Her eyes closed.
Roscoe looked around at Rachel. “Is she…I mean…
Rachel placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a warm squeeze. “She’s fine. She just drifted off to sleep.” Rachel had been eyeing the monitors. “Her vitals are becoming stable. That’s good for her. The sedative will help her body calm down and rest.”
As Roscoe and Rachel headed back to his room, Trevor came around the corner of the hallway, walking briskly, but with a blank expression. Something inside Roscoe told him not to be angry with Trevor, just listen.
Once in the room, Roscoe stood alongside Rachel and greeted Trevor. “We were worried about you. Everything okay with you…any problems?”
Trevor’s face was sad. “I owe both of you an apology. After my session in the lab I had to check one of my notebooks in my car. Saw something leaking underneath, so I ended up having to take it to repair a brake line. My phone was dead, and I didn’t have my charger…left it in my lab desk…had to squabble with the repair shop…nothing has gone right. I’m really sorry I didn’t get back in touch with you.”
He paused, and then pulled the lab sheets from his lab coat. “I cross checked everything and ran the data again, and this is what I got.” He gestured with the sheets.
He paused a moment.
“Roscoe, you’re a perfect match as a living donor for a kidney transplant for Selena.” Trevor smiled the first time in thirty-six hours.
The three reached for each other and hugged in a circle. Rachel’s shoulders were shaking as emotions loosened. Roscoe patted her and Trevor. They stepped back.
Roscoe said, “How sure are you, Trevor?”
“Completely. One hundred percent.”
Silence reigned briefly.
“I triple-checked all my work. No mistakes. A malfunction with one of the printers caused a reverse print of that row of data you questioned.” He looked at Roscoe. “How did you know to question that?”
“I didn’t. I have no idea where that question came from…no idea.”
Rachel spoke up, “Now what?”
Trevor jumped in with, “What about Selena? Is she okay?”
“Stable, resting.” She looked at Roscoe. “So?”
He glanced at the wall clock. “Can you tell me the schedules for the transplant teams for the rest of the day?”
Rachel walked over to the computer terminal and entered her ID and password. She scrolled through several screens. “How do you know about transplant teams and schedules?”
“I’ve been doing my homework, been all over the internet and Cobalt’s website. And while you’re checking, tell me who the best ones are?”
She peered over her shoulder. “Well look at you, sounding like a hospital administrator.” She continued scrolling.
Trevor said, “Roscoe would be better than the stingy administrator we’ve got now. We’ve got more malfunctioning equipment than any hospital I’ve ever heard of.” He shook his head. “And I’m one of the backup techs for tonight.”
