Page 64 of Hidden Desire

“Well, I noticed that she was socializing with everyone at the gala. And many of these names came from that night. So, I can’t deny the fact that there’s a pretty good chance it came from her influence.” She shrugged. “But, however it happened, I’m relieved. I was beginning to think we would never see this day.”

Sage set the list down. “And I would say it’s none too soon because I’m hearing more talks about more benefits being pulled.” Sage groaned. “I’m ready to really kick this into high gear, so we can truly make a difference here.”

“Do you mean that?” Sage looked up as Linda approached their table. Her cheeks were splotchy, and her eyes were red. She had a balled-up tissue in her hand and dabbed her eyes, just before another tear released. “My daughter is having a baby. She’s having this baby alone and she lives in Texas, and I thought I could take FMLA and get away for a little while once the baby is born.” She sniffed, then continued. “I was just informed that I’m no longer eligible for FMLA. I have no vacation time, so that’s out of the question. And beginning next month, my 401K is losing some more money because the greedy SOBs can’t find anyone else to pester, I guess.” She slumped down in the seat next to Sage. Sage put her hand on her shoulder and looked across to Lena.

Lena shook her head. “It’s not right and if we don’t do something now, then I think this whole place is going to crumble, and we’ll all be left under the rubble.

“Well, we could send out a mass email that says starting tomorrow morning, we’re going on strike.”

Linda’s eyes widened. “Could we really?”

Sage swallowed the lump in her throat, from just saying the words. It wasn’t going to be easy but change rarely was. “Lena, meet me at my place tonight. We’ll make signs and tell all those who are ready to make a difference to be here tomorrow morning at six.”

Lena grinned and turned to Linda. “Sage is right. Nothing is going to work if they don’t see that we’re serious about this. We’ll get everyone involved, and together we will make a difference.”

Sage felt hopeful walking back to work, knowing it’d be a while until she was back helping the patients. They might suffer, but there were other facilities that could give them the care they needed. And if things went according to plan, this wouldn’t be forever. She caught Stassi coming out of the records room, and she walked up to her.

“So, be at my place when you get off work.”

Stassi nodded. “I usually am.” She released a soft laugh.

Sage grinned. “True, but tonight is a bit different. Lena just got all the signatures we need, and we’re putting together a picket line. As of tomorrow morning, we’re going on strike.”

Stassi stared at her. Sage couldn’t read her expression, but it didn’t feel like it was filled with excitement. Mostly uncertainty. “Are you sure?” she asked.

Sage laughed. “Of course. It’s what we’ve been working our asses off for.”

“I know, but the patients. Won’t they suffer?” Stassi fidgeted from one foot to the other. Sage would have some consoling to do when it came to Stassi and her fears, but she would make her see that no one would suffer from this. They would all benefit, and the greater good would reign victorious.

“It’s all going to work out,” Sage replied. “You’ll see.”

Sage turned around and held up the sign that she had spent forty-five minutes on. “We demand results,” she said. “What do you think?”

Lena nodded. “I mean, nothing comes across as straight as that. It should get their attention.” Lena held up a sign, and Sage read it out loud.

“What are you hiding?” Sage grinned. “That’s our exact point. They’re hiding something if they haven’t taken two seconds even to consider our side of things.” She slid down to the floor and reached for another sign. She grabbed the gold sparkling glitter and began to outline another poster.

To the right of her, Stassi sat there. She had the same sign in front of her, which she had when they first started. She glanced over Stassi’s shoulder and heaved a sigh. Not one word had been spread across it. Perhaps she was just in thought over the perfect sign. Not everyone could have the words pouring out of them.

Sage glanced at Lena, who was back to making another poster. “The email blast was out there, right?” Sage asked.

“Yep. Sent it to all departments, leaving out the head honchos, of course. We better have a hundred of these babies ready to go.” She giggled and shrugged. “Of course, we could just have lots of megaphones so those that don’t have a sign are chanting, or something.”

“I wonder how many will show up? We have to be realistic and realize that it’s possible that some people may be more comfortable to come on day three or day four.”

Lena shrugged, looked down at her cardboard sign, then looked back up and frowned. “I wonder how long we’ll have to picket.”

“As long as it takes,” Sage commented. She glanced around at the floor filled with blank poster board and the colors that were close by to grab and decorate. “We’re making a difference, and, for that, we should be very proud.”

Sage glanced at Stassi’s still-empty sign. She opened her mouth to inquire if maybe Stassi was just stuck. They could use the same slogan on several signs. No one would care, but Stassi turned and stared at her. Sage closed her mouth and waited.

“Are you sure you’re doing the right thing?”

“Hell yeah, we are,” Lena shot back. Sage turned and glared at her, but Lena wasn’t finished. “How could you say otherwise? Don’t you believe in fighting for a cause, goodwill, and all that shit?”

“Well, yeah, but…” Stassi shrugged and looked down at her blank board. “Guess it’s not for me to say. After all, I have no say. I haven’t even signed the list.” Stassi grabbed a marker and leaned forward, while Sage stared at her.

“That’s another thing…” Lena began.

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