Chapter 24: Under His Protection

The hospital board met in a room with a long oak table and a tray of stale pastries.

Boone waited in the parking lot with his arms crossed, because I had told him this part was mine.

I sat at the end of the table in clean navy scrubs.

Across from me sat the chief of nursing, a lawyer for the hospital and my supervisor.

"Ms. Dorsett," the chief of nursing said. "The board has reviewed the video, the statements and the police report."

"Thank you."

"The clip in our staff chat was posted by your stepbrother, who is now charged with conspiracy."

"I know."

"We are removing the conduct review from your file," she said. "We are paying you for every day of the suspension, with interest."

"Thank you."

"And we would like to apologize for how long it took."

I looked at my supervisor.

She had her hands folded in her lap, and she could not meet my eyes.

"I should have believed you the first day," she said.

"You should have," I said. "Thank you for saying so."

"Will you come back?"

"Monday," I said. "Days. Not nights."

The chief of nursing smiled.

"Done."

I walked out into the sun with a signed letter in my hand.

Boone was leaning on his bike, and he straightened when he saw my face.

"Well?"

"I have a job."

"You always had a job."

"I have a job and back pay and an apology in writing," I said. "Your woman is very employable."

He laughed out loud, and a woman crossing the lot turned to look at him.

That afternoon, we went to see Hank.

He was propped up in a bed on the surgical floor.

He had a tube in his side and a paperback on his lap.