Chapter 2
Blood rushes to my cheeks, and heat prickles along my scalp. Dr. Reed recovers quickly, looking away from me and continuing on with what he was saying as if he didn’t just try to murder me with his eyes. I chance a glance over my shoulder to see if there is someone behind me, or if his death glare was actually meant for me. Yep, it was for me. What the hell? I have never seen this man in my life. What was that all about?
He finishes his little speech, and quickly exits out the same side door he came through without sparing me another glance. But not so quickly that I don’t notice his hands balled into fists. He hides it well, but I have years of practice spotting the minute signs that someone is upset– and he is pissed. Actually, that might be putting it too nicely.
I come back to the world around me, and notice Jason looking at me oddly.
“What was that about?” He asks me, echoing my thoughts.
“You noticed that?” I’m not sure if I am more relieved that it wasn’t just in my head, or freaked out that this stranger must actually hate me.
“I think everyone noticed,” he chuckles awkwardly.
“I have no idea,” I admit. “I have never seen him before in my life. I just moved here a few days ago. I literally don’t know anyone.” Luckily, he seems to accept that answer.
“Well, you know me now! And lucky for you, I don’t hate you for no apparent reason.” He shoots me a wink, and I can’t help but let out a small laugh.
“Come have lunch with me. You can help me find the cafeteria, since I got lost twice on my way in here. This place is huge.”
Despite the heaviness of the moment before, a small laugh bubbles out of me. Okay, maybe I’m not totally immune to his charm. He’s just so self-assured and comfortable that I can’t help it, and I nod in agreement. A woman about my age on Jason’s other side leans around him and chimes in.
“Oh, can I come too?! I don’t want to sit alone like a loser.” She has an easy humor in her voice, and I don’t want to sit alone either.
“The more the merrier.” I give her a small smile. She smiles back, and I find a small part of myself wondering if I might actually find friends here. If maybe this move really could be a fresh start for me, after all.
“I’m Jamie, by the way,” she tells us.
“I’m Bree, and this is Jason.”
Introductions made, I stand and we follow the others out of the conference room doors, finding our way back to the massive main corridor. After sitting in a darkened conference room all morning, the fluorescent lights burn my eyes, causing them to water. Blessedly, there is a huge sign pointing to the cafeteria about halfway down the hallway, so we manage to find our way without getting lost even once, which, considering the size of this place, is a definite win.
The hospital is providing those of us at this orientation a free lunch today, which I am thankful for since I wouldn’t be eating lunch otherwise. I spent the last year hoarding every spare dollar I could without being noticed, and spent almost every last penny on the deposit for my tiny studio apartment, and furnishing it with a single thrift store dining table and a mattress on the floor. It was still better than my previous situation, though, and I was grateful.
As we round the corner into the cafeteria, I look around and my jaw drops. I was expecting a normal, crappy hospital cafeteria. You know, a salad bar with wilted lettuce, maybe some bland mac and cheese on a good day. This looks like it could be a five-star restaurant, though. There are chefs making Mongolian barbecue bowls behind one counter, a short-order grill behind another counter. I also see pasta, sushi, and what I am pretty sure is a made-to-order sandwich bar.
My shock spills over, and I can’t help but to whisper, “What the hell is this place?”
“I know, right?” Jamie giggles at me. “I have been trying to get hired here for years.”
“Same here,” Jason commiserates. “I think I applied a dozen times before I even landed an interview.”
I choose not to share that I applied here only because I applied to every open nursing job on this side of the Mississippi. Or that I got a call back the very next day, and was officially hired less than a week later. I had no idea that this was such a desirable place to work. I’m not sure what twist of fate made them decide to call me, considering my resume is mediocre at best. I just assumed they were desperate for staff like every other hospital in the country.
Jason, Jamie, and I all want something different to eat, so we agree to split up and meet back at one of the tables in the dining area. I make my way to the mongolian barbecue counter, and start filling my bowl as high as I can with noodles, veggies, and meat. If I play my cards right, I can eat this for lunch, and at least two more meals. Thank you, hospital gods. I get to the end of the line, hand my bowl to the man behind the counter, and choose a spicy peanut sauce for him to add while he cooks it. He directs me to step to the other end of the counter to wait for my food.
I lean against the counter, and slip my phone out, checking it out of habit. Of course, I don’t have any missed calls or texts because this is a new phone and no one has this number yet, apart from my landlord and this hospital. I slide it back into my bag, and opt to people-watch while I wait instead. Like any hospital, there are some tired-looking patients’ family members, but they lack the normal heaviness I would expect to see. I also notice the staff members here look relaxed and well-rested, which is seriously unheard of. I mull over what my experience will be like here, until the hair on the back of my neck stands, and I feel a prickle along the back of my scalp.
Someone is watching me.