Chapter 40

"Babe, I don't get off work until eight," I said into the phone.

"I'll come wait in the parking lot," Dash said.

I giggled. Some of my co-workers stared at me as they walked by. By now they all knew I was in a relationship. I had to schedule a meeting with my best friend because if she learned about this from an outside source Cass would rip me shreds and regret it after I was dead.

"If you do that then I won't focus on my job. Two more hours."

"I can't wait to see you. We're going back to my place."

Yeah because my shower was busted again. The renovations were coming along smoothly but every day a new disaster was discovered. I was just waiting for Dash to pull out of the plans to make my bed and breakfast come alive but he was the driving force behind it all.

"I'm looking forward to it," I said with a smile.

"Two more hours," Dash said.

I hung up and slipped my phone into my uniform pocket. I finished my evening rounds, checking to make sure the patients had their medicine and made sure some were in bed. A small group of seniors had a poker night in the dining hall.

Everything was fine. I had twenty minutes left on my shift when I thought of Mr Dean. He was still in isolation. I hadn't seen Donna around all day.

I pressed my clipboard to my chest, lifted my chin and made a turn to the isolated ward. I poked my head into the forbidden sector. It was cold and quiet thankfully.

I hurried to Mr Dean's room before my luck ran out. I opened the door and closed it fast.

"What?" Came a soft gasp.

I froze. A woman with ginger hair stood from the rocking chair. Her ginger hair fell over her forehead and dangled above her shoulders. She was a slender woman dressed in leather jeans and a leather jacket.

"I… visiting hours are over ma'am. You shouldn't be here."

Her lips parted and her bones went ridged.

"It's time for you to leave," Mr Dean said.

His voice was firm. Even though he lay in his bed with his arms folded on his chest he wasn't pale and stammering. There was life in his eyes.

"You're Zora, aren't you?" the woman said barely above a whisper.

"It's not safe for both of you please leave!" Mr Dean rattled.

"I just wanted to check on you. You shouldn't be isolated," I said.

"It doesn't matter. What matters is your safety."

"Oh, Zora," the woman covered her mouth and gasped.

"Who are you-" I paused and then it registered in my mind. "You're Astra Dean, aren't you?"

A tear rolled down her cheek. Her blue-green eyes filled with tears.

My legs burned with the urge to turn around and leave but I was glued to the spot. I searched her face for signs that she could be my Mother. I looked for similarities but we were total opposites.

"I've only seen you at a distance. You've grown into a beautiful woman, honey."

My head was spinning I needed to get out of here. I turned around to leave but the door opened and Donna marched in.

"You!" Donna spat.

Oh crap.

"You're always causing trouble. You know you're not supposed to be here," Donna yelled.

I rubbed my arm. "Yeah, I know."

"And you! You're not supposed to be here either. This man is in isolation which means no visitors," Donna shouted, pointing at Astra.

"Don't give me that bullshit, Donna. I'm his daughter-in-law. I have more right to be here than you do."

"Oh please!"

"Don't dictate to me. I can take him out of here tomorrow if I want to."

Donna threw her head back and laughed. "You must think I'm an idiot. This man committed himself in here. You can't do anything. Besides, last I checked your marriage ended you have no power to do anything."

"You underestimate me, Donna. Many people do but I love to prove people wrong."

"Get the fuck out before I have you dragged out. Unless you bring this man's son he's not going anywhere."

Astra grabbed her purse from the rocking chair and pulled out a pair of sunglasses. She put them on and lifted her chin.

"See you soon, Donna."

I watched her walk out of the room confidently.

"As for you Zora. This isn't working anymore."

My jaw dropped. "What?"

"I don't want to worry about you snooping. You're fired. I'll send you your last check. Your shift's over leave now."

"But Mr Dean-"

"He'll be just fine with you people gone."

Donna ushered me out of the room. She snatched my clipboard and marched off.

I just got laid off! I messed up now how was I going to help Mr Dean?

***

Dash leaned against his army-green truck. He looked up when I marched up to him. I was sure my face was red with fury and embarrassment. He stood straight when he saw me.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"I got fired! Donna caught me in Mr Dean's room."

"So?"

"I'm not allowed in there. She's hiding something."

"Babe-"

"I messed up Dash. He's a poor old man and doesn't deserve to be treated like that."

"He has valuable information too. Whatever he knows is enough to make him a target."

He pulled me into his arms and stroked my hair.

"It's going to be fine, mate. It's okay."