The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 109 Time of Death Ford Martin If someone had told me Theodore Cohen was going to die today, I would have never believed him. However, nightmares can turn into reality. “Code Blue. Cohen. I repeat. Code Blue. Cohen.” As I pushed the people aside to reach the VIP suite, a cold dread washed over me. I couldn’t believe this was happening. Theodore was alive and well when I changed his IV bag and gave him his medication earlier. He even complained about the food. He wasn’t supposed to die… he was supposed to be discharged later this afternoon to continue his recovery in the comfort of his home. “G od, save him,” I prayed while I took the stairs two at a time. “G od, help the doctors save Theodore. After giving T Theodore his medication, I roamed the third floor, deciding whether I should accept Liam’s proposal and become Theodore’s private nurse. The pay he was o offering ng was three times my salary and I would have the privilege of living with them at the Cohen Mansion… just like family. It was a great offer, but if I were to accept, it would mean I would no longer be the king of my own palace. Here at St. Elizabeth Hospital… this was my playground. I was King Kong seated atop a throne while the rest were insects I could crush within the palms of my hands. Here, I could stomp my feet, beat on my hairy chest and scream! This dreadful hospital was my kingdom and I could not allow someone else to sit on my throne. Before returning to the nurse’s station, I took a little detour and headed to the office of the nurse

administrator on the fourth floor. I had overheard that Rodney Marshall, a fellow male nurse, was petitioning the female nurses to voice out their concerns at my upcoming evaluation. Although a few agreed, most of the female nurses refused and he was having trouble convincing them otherwise. Rodney didn’t know who he was up against. I had an ace up my sleeve…. 1/7 CHAPTER 109 Time of Death Unbeknownst to him, I had a collection of naked pictures of almost all the nurses employed at St. Elizabeth’s. Out of fear of a scandal, these women would never talk. But still, I had to get rid of Rodney. He was going to ruin me just to protect that new nurse,

Emma Clarke. This job Liam needed filled would be the perfect alternative for Rodney. He would earn the big bucks working at the Cohen Mansion while I could keep my position as the big man at St. Elizabeth’s. I didn’t need money… what I wanted was control. It was a win-win situation for everyone. I couldn’t do this alone though. I needed help from our nurse administrator, Lindsay Hartman, who was an elderly woman nearing her retirement. She was my mother’s aunt and has been working at this hospital for over forty-five years. Since we were related, Lindsay Hartman always took my side. It didn’t matter what it was. In -her eyes. o wrong… colleagues were jealous of that. ed on my grandaunt’s office door, my thoughts went to Emma’s first day here eth’s. Emma, the s tupid cu nt that she was, thought she was doing everyone a eporting back to the administrator. Little did she know, the joke was on her. iced the surprise in Emma’s eyes when I casually walked into the nurse administrator’s ice without even knocking.

“You wanted to see me, Great Aunt Lindsay?” I asked, smirking. I saw Emma close her eyes. when she realized we were related. “Yes, I did, Ford. Please take a seat,” Great Aunt Lindsay said while she pointed at one of the chairs in front of her desk. “Nurse Clarke, please tell Nurse Martin what you just told me.” My aunt looked at Emma, urging her to speak. “Go on, Nurse Clarke. If you can tell me then you can tell the person you’re accusing. I believe everyone should be given the chance to properly defend themselves given the circumstances.” I watched Emma bite her lip nervously. She didn’t expect a confrontation. “I-I don’t like how you touch me,” Emma finally spat out, her chin raised in defiance. “I don’t like the way you speak to me too. You make me feel uncomfortable.” 217 CHAPTER 109 Time of Death “I make you feel uncomfortable?” I asked bewildered. “You practically threw yourself at me, then you accuse me of touching you? I’m sorry, Great Aunt Lindsay, but you can’t possibly believe her?” “What do you mean, Ford?” My grandaunt asked “She’s obviously lying,” I pointed out. “She was flirting with me at the nurse’s station, practically flaunting herself at me. You can’t blame me for misinterpreting her actions.” “I wasn’t flirting with you,” Emma said, boldly denying the allegations. “I was merely introducing myself to you.” “Sure, you were, Emma,” I scoffed. “First day on the job and you’re already creating a me too movement. I bet you do this to all the male nurses you come in contact with. That’s not fair to me or to any of us male nurses.” I moved forward to my grandaunt’s desk to plead my case. “Great Aunt Lindsay, in my defense, I was just being friendly.” I was about to say more, but saw the warning look on my grandaunt’s face and decided to shut up. “Nurse Administrator, if you don’t do anything now, you yourself may face charges in the future for not reporting Nurse Martin’s actions,” Emma argued. “I assume you know what happened to the people

who were responsible for covering up Larry Na ssar’s sexual abuse. They were sued by Na ssar’s long list of victims.” I stared at Emma, stunned she was using the term sexual abuse. “I have never abused anyone sexually. All my sexual encounters WOTD with consent. And who is this Larry Nas sar anyway and what does he have to do with any of this when there has. been no abuse?” I asked angrily. She was really pushing it. “He was an orthopedic doctor who worked for the USA Gymnastics Organization and is currently incarcerated serving over 3 life sentences. His victims, gymnasts of the national team, were all accused of lying… just like what you’re accusing me of doing right now. But it was proven that his victims weren’t lying,” Emma pointed out. “I’m not lying, Nurse Administrator Hartman and despite what Nurse Martin has said, I can distinguish friendly from harassment.” Ford, I want you to apologize, my grandaunt suddenly said while she studied Emma through her glasses. “Apologize for what?” I asked her. “I didn’t do any of the things she’s accusing me of doing!” “It’s her first day at work. Ford. Please understand she doesn’t know you like I do lu CHAPTER 109 Time of Death can keep the peace, I need you to apologize to her.” Great Aunt Lindsay lowered her glasses, gesturing with her eyes for me to apologize. I fell back on my chair and crossed my arms in front of chest like a petulant child. “I’m sorry, Clarke, I mumbled under my breath, my apology insincere. I glanced at Emma and found her smiling smugly at me. My apology was like an admission of guilt. However, her small victory was short-lived. Ha! “As for you, Nurse Clarke, never in my life has anyone accused me of covering up a molester. I can assure you, Nurse Martin is a smart, charming young man who was raised by G od- fearing folks. Any woman would be honored to have him shower her with attention,” Great Aunt Lindsay said, peering at her th rough her bifocals. “I don’t know how they do it where you’re from, but here we treat our

supervisors with respect. If you ever come into my office again telling me I’m just as bad as a rapist, I will call the Sheriff and have you thrown in jail.” Emma’s widened in horror. “You can’t do that!” an. Here, in New Salem, we know our place. You should learn yours,” Great y said before opening a folder. “Both of you… get back to work. I don’t want to d for the rest of the day.” out of Great Aunt Lindsay’s office that afternoon feeling vindicated while Emma d an important lesson… I was a hard man to bring down. ter witnessing how my grandaunt put Emma in her place, I knew she could help me. If anyone could convince Rodney to become Theodore’s nurse, it was her. I fixed my hair before knocking on her door and waited for her to let me in. “Good morning, Great Aunt Lindsay,” I greeted her enthusiastically. She was wearing a light. blue business suit with a white silk blouse underneath. Her short salt and pepper hair was neatly styled while a string of large pearls adorned her neck and bronze framed eyeglasses rested on her weathered face. She appeared to be reading something on that large tablet of hers before I interrupted. “Ford, what do I owe the pleasure?” She asked as she curiously looked at me over the lens of her bifocals. She gestured for me to sit in one of the chairs in front of her desk. “I was hoping to talk to you about someone,” I replied before I seated myself. 4/7 CHAPTER 109 Time of Death “Sure. What’s on your mind? Great Aunt Lindsay asked, putting her tablet down and giving me her undivided attention. “You know Rodney Marshall, right?” I asked her. “Of course, I know Rodney Marshall. I’ll be promoting him soon, she answered. “Promoting him?” 1 croaked.

“Yes, Ford. Promoting him. I’ll be retiring soon and I need a replacement. I had initially wanted you to take my place, but there is no denying your inappropriate behavior. I even took the time to speak to your mother about this, but the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it? Your mother is the same way, always canoodling with that collegiate boyfriend of hers,” she scoffed disapprovingly as she mentioned my mother’s current beau. state of “Are you promoting Marshall to be your replacement?” I managed to ask despite mys an you do this to me, Great Aunt Lindsay? How could you betray your own shock tongue, Ford Martin,” she scolded me, her face turning red with fury. “I didn’t do you. Whatever is happening is your own doing. Did you think the board wouldn’t our behavior? That the doctors would turn a blind eye? Did you think Rodney or any of the other nurses wouldn’t go against you?” She suddenly chuckled, finally ing why I wanted to speak to her about Rodney Marshall. This is why you’ve come to me. You want me to fire Rodney Marshall for you. I’m sorry, Ford. It’s out of my hands.” “Actually, I wanted you to offer Marshall a job working for the Cohens. Liam is willing to provide three times the pay and free board and lodging at the Cohen Mansion on Prairie Hill,” I said, showing her the sheet of paper Liam gave me earlier. “Why don’t you take it?” She asked. “I would rather stay here and become the nurse administrator,” I said, smiling. She laughed and shook her head at my answer. My smile quickly disappeared. Even with Marshall gone, I still wouldn’t be considered for the job? “Grandnephew, I submitted three candidates to the board and you were rejected outright. Marshall was their first choice and Pamela Reese was their second. It’s a shame, but it was based on merit, and you Ford, lacked the necessary credentials. For now, Rodney Marshall will become my junior administrator while he trains under me. When I retire, Pamela will then take the vacant junior position and work under

his tutelage,” my grandaunt explained. 5/7Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.