The Perfect Marriage (11 page)

S
ome things never changed. Denise stood next to her boss, Mr. Hunter, listening to Agatha Bowman rant about absolutely nothing.
Here a whole year had passed since the woman had become a resident there, and still she wasn’t happy about anything. Let her
tell it, everyone who worked at Prescott Manor was a bona fide idiot who never should have been hired in the first place.
Agatha complained day and night, and she was so rude to the nursing staff no one wanted to take care of her. Most dreaded
even going into her room.

Mr. Hunter tried to reason with her. “I’m very sorry about the noise.”

“It’s a pitiful shame for someone to pay as much as I do, only to have some senile old woman screaming at the top of her lungs.
She does it all the time, and I’m sick of it.”

Agatha was referring to a sweet little woman named Mary who everyone loved. Mary did have a bit of a memory problem, and she
did sometimes yell out loud for no reason, but it certainly wasn’t all the time or nearly to the extent Agatha was claiming.
This woman was truly getting under Denise’s skin, and Denise was becoming more and more irritated.

“Again, I’m very sorry,” Mr. Hunter said, “and we’ll see if we can maybe get Mary moved down to the other end of the hallway.”

Agatha glared at him over her reading glasses. “Another floor would be much better.”

“I’m not sure we can do that because each floor is designed to accommodate certain residents with certain needs and illnesses.”

“Well, do what you want, but if I still hear that woman after you move her, I won’t be happy.” Agatha spoke matter-of-factly,
and Denise could tell she was basically threatening Mr. Hunter again. She did this often, and Denise wanted to tell her a
thing or two.

“Is there anything else we can help you with?” Mr. Hunter asked, clearly at a loss for words.

“You can get a stronger backbone. Run a tighter ship. Do your job the way it’s supposed to be done.”

Mr. Hunter kept a straight face, and Denise wondered how he could do that. Because at this point, had it been her…

“And then there’s
that
one,” Agatha continued. “The one standing right next to you. She needs to get a better handle on her nurses and do some real
work for a change.”

Denise took a deep breath and bit her lip, and Mr. Hunter moved slightly in front of her. That witch. How dare she speak to
them this way? Sure, Agatha had a ton of money and was a member of Covington Park’s social elite, but she had no right treating
people like trash. As it was, Agatha tended to work Denise’s nerves almost daily, but today was much different and there was
only so much Denise was willing to take—today Agatha was a lot less tolerable because Denise had left her Vicodin bottle at
home and then realized the bottle she sometimes kept locked in her desk drawer was empty. When she’d discovered this, she’d
nearly cried because the two pills she’d taken shortly after Derrek had slithered home hadn’t done much of anything. Her good
feeling had come and gone in a matter of minutes, and now she needed something else. She also couldn’t stop thinking about
cocaine and how if she could only buy one more bag, she’d be through with it for good. All she needed was just a little more
to help her deal with work, their financial situation, and Derrek’s job dilemma. After that, she would turn over a new leaf
and never do drugs again.

Mr. Hunter tried defending her. “Denise is a wonderful employee who does over and above what is required of her, so I’m sorry
you feel that way.”

Agatha pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows. “Hmmph. Is that right? Well, I guess that’s true if you call using drugs doing
over and above what’s expected.”

A chill plunged through Denise’s body. Why was Agatha saying something like this? Denise was so on edge she felt like exploding.

“Cat got your tongue?” Agatha said to Denise.

That was it. “Look, old woman, I don’t know who you think you are, but I’ve had it with you! Not one person who works here
wants anything to do with you, so why don’t you go somewhere else? Or better yet, why don’t you drop dead!”

Mr. Hunter jerked his head toward her. “Denise!”

“I’m sorry, but this woman is nothing but a troublemaker, and now she’s gone as far as lying on me?”

“Pretend all you want.” Agatha spoke nonchalantly. “But trust me when I tell you…I know a drug addict when I see one. My sister
was addicted to painkillers, sleeping pills, and cocaine for years, so I certainly know the symptoms.”

“What symptoms?” Denise screamed.

“Oh, you walk around here acting as though everything is fine, but it’s only because you’re one of the lucky ones. You’re
the kind of addict who can talk a good game, do what you need to do, and get away with it. You’re what they call a functioning
drug addict, but you’re an addict nonetheless.”

Denise’s heart pounded, and she wanted to strangle this woman. Dear God, how did she know and why was she doing this to her?

Denise turned and walked toward the doorway. “I’m out of here, Mr. Hunter. This woman has completely lost her mind. Crazy
witch.”

Denise stormed away from the room, zoomed past several staff members, and a couple that was probably there to see a resident,
and headed for the elevator. Thankfully, it opened as soon as she pressed the button, and when she arrived at her floor, she
got off and walked straight to her office. When she shut the door, she sat down at her desk.

“Gosh,” she said, already regretting her words to Agatha, even though Agatha certainly deserved to hear them. Denise could
only imagine what Mr. Hunter must have been thinking, and she knew it wouldn’t be long before he paid her a visit. If she
could take her words back, she would, but it was much too late for that. But why had Agatha gone as far as making such damaging
accusations? Sadly, they were true, but how had she’d known? What had Denise done to give herself away? Because not even Mr.
Hunter had pulled her aside to question her work, nor had he suspected she was taking anything. She was good at her job, and
unlike Derrek, she never missed any days. She was on time, and she got along with all the women and men who worked for her.

Now, Denise
desperately
needed her Vicodin. She was in an uproar, and without even realizing it, she tore through her drawers, looking for some like
a madwoman. Yes, she’d already searched earlier that morning, but she was hoping she’d somehow overlooked it. She prayed she
could find at least one or two, but she couldn’t.

Then it came to her. Lula’s doctor had prescribed her some Vicodin about a month ago because of the leg pain she sometimes
suffered with. She was still one of Denise’s favorite residents and no matter how long she’d resided at their facility, she
still never made any waves, she still never complained even when maybe she should have, and she loved everyone. Denise thought
back to the day one year ago when Lula’s vitals had dropped pretty low and they’d sent her over to the hospital. She’d been
diagnosed with pneumonia and had ended up staying there for more than two weeks. At one point, her physician had wondered
if she would make it, what with her being in her eighties, but she’d soon gotten better and been returned to the nursing home.
Denise had been very happy to see her again, and now she needed a favor from Lula. She needed some of her medication, and
there was only one way she could think to get it.

When Denise arrived back up on the second floor, she walked a few steps, turned the corner and saw Pamela standing in front
of her pill cart. She was preparing to pass meds to a resident whose room was two doors down from Lula’s.

“So how’s it going?” Denise asked.

“Busy, but good.”

“Have you even taken a break yet?”

Pamela chuckled. “Please, what’s that?”

“I know the feeling, so why don’t you take one now?”

“The other nurses are all tied up with their own residents.”

“I know, but I can handle this. You only have what three or four more to go?”

“Pretty much. Are you sure?”

“Of course. Plus, it never hurts for me to get some hands-on experience, anyway.”

“I owe you,” Pamela said and then explained a few of the medication dosages and some that had recently been changed.

“Got it,” Denise said. “Now go ahead.”

“I’ll be back in twenty minutes.”

When Pamela was out of sight, Denise moved the cart farther down the hall and then parked it in front of Lula’s room. She
wasn’t sure exactly when Pamela might return, so she wanted to make sure she saw Lula as soon as possible, and then she would
pass meds to the others. Before she walked in, though, she found Lula’s blood pressure medication and her Vicodin bottle.
She took a deep breath, pulled herself together and finally entered.

Lula sat in her leather recliner and smiled when she saw Denise. “Well, this sure is a nice surprise. So they’ve even got
the boss working on the floor today, huh?”

“Yeah, I guess so. How are you?”

“Can’t complain. Doin’ just fine for an old lady.”

“So you’re not feeling any pain right now?”

“Not really. Actually, it’s not bad at all.”

“Do you want a pill just in case?”

“Nooooo. Take too much of that stuff as it is. I think I can make it until tonight or tomorrow.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yep.”

“Okay, then, here’s your amlodipine for your blood pressure.” Denise passed her pill to her, along with a cup of water.

Lula placed the pill in her mouth and swallowed all the water.

Denise took the cup and tossed it into the trash can. Then she went into the bathroom to wash her hands—and also so she could
open Lula’s Vicodin bottle and take what she needed. She poured three of them into the palm of her hand, wrapped them in a
paper towel and slipped them into her pants pocket. Then, she closed the bottle and walked back into the room.

“Okay, well, I’d better move on to the next person, but you let us know if you need anything.”

“I will, and it’s always good seeing you, sweetie. I’m always so proud when I see you running around here managing things.
And you have a kind heart, too.”

“Thank you for saying that, Lula. You know I feel the same about you. You’re one of the nicest people I know.”

“I’ll see you later, honey.”

“Take care, Lula.”

And you have a kind heart, too.
Denise wasn’t so sure Lula or anyone else would continue thinking that if they knew what she’d just done. To be honest, she
couldn’t believe it herself. She’d stolen medication from a resident. Literally taken something that didn’t belong to her,
meaning she’d broken the law. But the thing was, she’d needed that Vicodin. Now more than ever, and she prayed God would forgive
her.

Although, at the moment, she had to turn her focus to something else because as she rolled the cart toward the next room,
Mr. Hunter walked up to her.

“Denise, I need to see you. Now.”

M
r. Hunter sat straight up in his chair behind his desk. “I’m not even sure where to begin.”

Denise started right in. “Mr. Hunter, I really don’t know what came over me, but I am so sorry for speaking to Agatha the
way I did. It was extremely unprofessional, and it will never happen again.”

“I know Agatha is a handful and that she’s been nothing but trouble since the beginning, but I’m terribly disappointed in
you. This isn’t your normal way of handling things, Denise, so I’m a little shocked about your behavior.”

Now, Denise wished she’d taken the three Vicodin while she’d been in Lula’s bathroom, because not only were her nerves racing,
she felt agitated and physically exhausted. She was a total mess, and she couldn’t wait to flee Mr. Hunter’s office.

“But I have to tell you,” he continued, “right now I’m more concerned about Agatha’s comments about you. She made some very
serious accusations.”

Denise’s heart beat faster. She hated being confronted and interrogated this way, especially when Mr. Hunter knew what kind
of person Agatha Bowman was. He knew she didn’t like Denise or anyone else for that matter, so why would he even bother questioning
her?

“I’m not sure why she said the things she said, but she’s lying.”

“But she sounded so sure about everything. I know she’s a cruel woman, but she sounded pretty convincing.”

Denise’s frustration turned to outrage. “So you’re going to believe that bitter old woman over me? The person who has worked
her natural behind off for you? You’re going to take the word of Agatha Bowman over mine? Wow!”

Mr. Hunter gazed at her, seemingly unmoved by her theatrics. “There’s no need to get loud, and I guess it’s time I level with
you. It’s not just Agatha’s comments that have me worried. It’s my own thoughts and observations. I was hoping that maybe
I was mistaken, and that’s why I hadn’t said anything, but Denise, I’ve wondered for a while now if something was wrong. It’s
hard to explain because your performance here at work is still top-notch, but there are times when you seem distant or like
you’re overly happy. Then there are times when you seem tired and like you haven’t had much sleep.”

Denise wasn’t sure what to say.

“I’ve felt this way for a while, and it wasn’t until Agatha said what she said that I knew it was time I sit down with you.”

“That woman is a liar,” Denise said matter-of-factly. “She’s never liked me, and now she’s trying to get me fired.”

“Maybe, but I just feel like something’s wrong. I know it’s not my business, but is everything okay at home?”

“Everything’s fine,” she lied. “And the only real problem I have is the stress from this job. It’s worse than ever, but I’m
handling it.”

“But why has your stress gotten worse when we’ve been fully staffed for a long time now?”

“I still have a lot of responsibilities.”

“Then, do we need to consider hiring an assistant director of nursing for days and then split up the number of nurses that
report to you?”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying. I’m fine with things just the way they are.”

Mr. Hunter was quiet.

“And just for the record,” Denise said. “I would never use drugs. Not for any reason.”

“I hope that’s true because after you stormed away from Agatha’s room, she suggested I have you tested.”

Denise tried swallowing the huge lump in her throat but couldn’t. What in the world was she going to do if Mr. Hunter listened
to that crazy woman? “So you’re actually going to force me to do a drug screen? All because of Agatha and her lies?”

Mr. Hunter leaned back in his chair, seemingly sighing of frustration. “I really don’t want to, Denise. Believe me I don’t.
But if I notice anything else out of the ordinary, I’ll have no choice.”

“Oh…my…God,” she said, narrowing her eyes and trying to sound as innocent as possible. “You can’t be serious?”

“I’m sorry but I’ll have no choice except to do the right thing.”

Denise stood up in a huff. “Is that all?”

Mr. Hunter looked at her and nodded.

She took that as a yes and left his office. She hurried down the hall, onto the elevator, and up to her office again. She
immediately shut the door behind her and couldn’t make it to her desk fast enough. When she did, she snatched the bottle of
water sitting near a photo of her, Derrek, and Mackenzie, pulled the three Vicodin from her pocket and took them. She’d rarely
taken three at a time in the past, but lately two just didn’t seem to be cutting it. She also hadn’t had a morsel of food
to eat so far today, so she sat down, leaned back, crossed her legs, closed her eyes and did her usual—she waited.

She did think about Derrek, mostly because she’d called him a few times and he hadn’t answered, but right now he was sort
of the least of her worries. It wasn’t as if his so-called friend in corporate America actually existed, anyway, and could
get him a job, and that was the only reason she’d even bothered contacting him—that and also to ask him how soon he was going
to start contacting headhunters and sending out résumés. There was no telling what he was up to, but regardless, she wasn’t
happy with him about staying out so late. Although, it was like she’d just been thinking, Derrek was pretty much the least
of her worries, and she wasn’t about to let her thoughts of him, Agatha, or Mr. Hunter ruin the rest of her day. Her Vicodin
would be kicking in soon enough, and life would be good. She’d be as content as always.