Too Sweet to Die by T. Doyle

Author:T. Doyle [Doyle, T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hen Lit Mysteries
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Ray walked by the nurses’ station, nodded, and continued to the cafeteria. He’d contained his hair under a knit cap, but his beard seemed to want to leap off his face, as if the hairs wanted to avoid the awkward conversation with his parents and were trying to pull Ray in every direction but forward.

More residents filled the hallway, some headed toward the cafeteria to follow Ray, while others took an interest in the activities bulletin board located three doors down from Evie Feeney’s room.

Fifteen minutes later, Ray’s father huffed past my station, his cane snapping against the linoleum. A granite grimace replaced his usual easy smile. He turned into Evie’s room.

I worried about Jenny’s ability to provoke those responsible for her care. Ray’s dad had the legal power of attorney to send Jenny to a long-term care facility far away from Forest Forks. Out of sight, out of exasperation range.

Yelling ensued from Evie’s room, and I learned sweet Evie knew some colorful words, and she became an alto when angry.

Kristi flew past my desk, dressed in scrubs, so she’d come from work. She tossed a wave in my direction and entered the fray in her Aunt Evie’s room. The yelling stopped.

The residents returned to their rooms or toddled to the cafeteria, no doubt to see if Ray could calm his mother as effectively as Kristi soothed her aunt.

I did my patient rounds, checking vitals, and ensuring meds were administered.

Mrs. Almond frowned at me from her bed. “I hate oatmeal.” She pushed the tray away. “Honestly, Charlie, why can’t I eat what I want?” She crossed her bony arms.

“The doctor wants to keep your heart healthy. Would you prefer Cream of Wheat?” I checked her blood pressure, which was running a little high.

“No. I want bacon and eggs. My heart is ninety-two-years-old. That’s ten years older than the average dead person. Could you talk some sense into my doctor? Please, Charlie.” She patted my hand and blinked her watery-brown eyes at me.

“I’ll talk to him.” I picked up her tray, placed it outside, and returned. “What would you like for lunch?”

“Ham and cheese sandwich, with the fruit salad, please.” Her warm smile lit up the room.

“I’ll put your order in right now.” I made a note in her chart and returned her smile.

Back at the nurses’ station I handled Mrs. Almond’s lunch request. I hoped her doctor would understand Mrs. Almond vetoing his low sodium, low fat diet in favor of flavor.

Kristi stomped past the nurses’ station, eyes bugged out and clenched fists. She looked ready to murder, and she was headed toward the cafeteria and Jenny.

I grabbed my lunch bag. “I’ll be in the cafeteria if you need me,” I said to the ward clerk, Eric.

“‘Kay.” The man was a lump of enthusiasm. But when he was present, he answered the phones politely and the nurses’ aides loved him for some reason.

Ray and his mother sat near the coffee bar with a Scrabble board between them.

Kristi pulled a chair next to Ray, leaned over and whispered.

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