170 - Case

*Case, take care of my family. Watch over my Molly. – Becks*

Case looked around the office that had been hers for the past three years and made sure that there was nothing left on the shelves. The only things still in the room were the boxlike desk, an uncomfortable chair, a half dozen pens that were missing their caps and the floor mat. Her computer, ever present tablet, printer and trashcan with shredder had already been turned over to the office manager.

Her employment with Dr. S was now day to day and her only patient was Becks Lowery. When she started working for her seven years ago, Dr. S promised that the young nurse would have a lot of experience when she left. Case remembered laughing at her boss and told her that planned to stay there until she retired.

Now as she closed the door to the office, she realized that the good doctor knew what she was talking about when she said that her office had a high turnover rate. And an even higher burn out rate.

For seven years, Case had worked with the highly recommended doctor as she treated cancer patients with miniscule chances of survival. The past three years she had been the head nurse. She had been at the side Dr. Jessica Sakova for tests, diagnosis, treatments, surgeries and the loss of patients.

When David Sakova died of a sudden heart attack, Case had been the one to close the office for a week. Appointments were rescheduled and treatments moved to associate doctors. Surgeries were handled by other surgeons.

But just as promised, Dr. S came back the next week as if nothing had changed. She treated her patients the same as she always had. Only Case knew that at the end of the day, the doctor locked herself in her office to fall apart and cry.

“I’m no longer going to be your boss,” Jessica reminded Case as they embraced in the hallway, “but I’m still going to be your friend.”

“Thank you, for everything.”

“You’re very welcome. Are you sure about this?” Jessica stepped back and looked at the younger woman. “Not leaving, you’re about three years late on that. But moving?”

“I need to get away from Boston. Even if it’s only by an hour.”

“You need a new hair style. Every new beginning starts with a new hair style.” She gently tugged on a strip of hair that was currently vibrant purple. “Don’t take any job that won’t let you play with hair colors.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Call me if you need anything.”

They hugged one more time and Case promised to keep in touch. The other two nurses in the practice also gave her hugs on her way out of the office. Another round of hugs was exchanged with the office staff and then she was out the door and partially unemployed.

She wasn’t sure what her future held, but she was ready to embrace it with both hands. For the last time, Case went to her assigned parking spot and climbed into her four-door Wrangler. The boxes that held her personal belongings filled the backseat and the trunk space. Not that there was much.

For the past ten years, she had rented a room from an old widower. Technically the basement was a fully furnished one bedroom apartment. But she ate most of her meals with Henry, spent her evenings watching whatever sports game was on and did both of their laundry. At the beginning of the month, Henry went to an assisted living center.

His kids opted not to renew her lease. Instead, they were going to sell the house to the highest bidder as quickly as they could. His daughter-in-law had stood in the apartment and made sure that Case did not take anything that was not hers. Henry was right, the woman gave *fucking bitch* a bad name.

Case had planned to take the old man’s cats, Grumpasaurus and Sir Sourpuss, with her. The empty pet carriers in the front seat made sadness wash through her. Followed immediately by intense anger.

The Bitch had taken the two exotic shorthair cats to a shelter and refused to tell Case which one. She didn’t know if they went to one in Boston, a private sanctuary or one outside of the city. When she had found out what had happened, she immediately called the city animal services. They did not have the two orange cats.

She had already tried to go by and see Henry before leaving the city only to find out that the family listed her as *persona non grata* with the facility. Starting the engine, she pulled out of the slot and headed towards Monroe.

Cranking up the radio after going through a drive-thru, she belted out the songs along with Taylor Swift. She was a closet Swiftie. But that closet door was covered in Taylor Swift posters, stickers and memorabilia.

Her GPS gave warning for the exit, and she sang about bad blood as she turned onto a much smaller highway. The blue H signs directed her to the hospital, and she saw the hotel that Tammy had told her about. She had seen it before on her other trips out here but had never paid attention to it.

It was not as extravagant and elaborate as the ones that catered to the tourists. But it was not the brick box that she had expected. It backed up to the river and sat high on the ridge that gave the city across the river its name. The brick and clapboard façade should not have worked together. But it gave an old world feel to the small town.

She found a parking spot and then headed inside, pulling her coat tight around her as the cold wind blustered around her. She had lived in Massachusetts long enough to know that a storm was coming. And she had been an oncology nurse long enough to know that this assignment would not be long.

Inside the hotel, the high ceilings and large windows were contrasted by the roaring fire and large plush furniture. Before she even reached the check in desk, a man wearing a cut like Molly’s that made her think of a frog approached her.

“Case?”

“Ribbit.” Her eyes widened before she squeezed them close and pursed her lips tightly as she cursed herself internally. When she reopened her eyes, it was to see the man chuckling at her. “I’m so sorry.”

“I have to say, that was a first. I’m Toad.”

“Oh, sweet Jesus.” She looked up at the ceiling and bit back her comments.

“I’m a Saint, but not that kind.” He chuckled.

“Again, I’m sorry.”

“You think I don’t know how they came up with my name? I’m just lucky that a wonderful and beautiful woman looked at this frog face and said he’s mine.”

“Ha!” a redhead said as she approached them. “I needed a green card.”

“You were living in England when I met you.” He pointed out.

“We don’t discuss your mistakes, and we don’t discuss mine either.” She extended her hand to Case. “I’m Siobhan.”

Case took her hand. “Shiv-han? But not spelled that way?”

“Exactly.” Siobhan said with a small laugh.

“Case, spelled exactly like it sounds. And yes, just like the tractor.”

“Great,” Toad said as he looked over at several men that walked into the hotel. “Let me have your keys and my guys will get your stuff.”

“Okay….” She pulled the keys out of her pocket and handed them over.

“These are our prospects. They are at your Becks and call until they are told otherwise.”

“Really?” his wife said looking at him. “Becks and call?”

“It’s one of her favorite puns. Don’t make me retire it.”

“I married a fucking idiot.”

“At least I’m not a blathering idiot.” He told her as he walked over to the three prospects.

“No, he’s a blathering idiot,” Siobhan said. “Come on, I’ll take you up to your room.”

“I haven’t even checked in.” Case objected as the older woman linked their arms.

“It’s already been taken care of. The second floor of the east wing has been rented out for Becks, her family and nursing staff.”

“Oh. By the foundation?” she asked as they entered the elevator, and the second-floor button was pushed.

“By the club. Everyone has really rallied around the Lowerys.” She sighed heavily as the door closed. “Molly and Becks have been through a lot of shit. To be honest, I don’t know if he’s going to make it out of this. I know he won’t be the same without her.”