“Good to see you this morning, Chris. We’ll make sure to set up that meeting sooner than later.” They shook hands, and Chris turned and left the office. “Gina, cancel my appointments for the rest of the day. An emergency has come up.”
“But Mr. Benton,” Sage started. He looked up and gave a slight now. “We had a ten o’clock appointment, but I imagine you forgot because it’s ten forty-five, and you haven’t once even looked in my direction.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Hello, Sage. I apologize for the delay, but time got away from me. And clearly, I’m in a hurry so that Gina can set you up for another day.”
He started to turn. “Mr. Benton!” Sage hollered. “You can’t get away just like that. The staff want answers. I have many requests, and they won’t be pleased to hear that you’re brushing us off…again.” He turned and stared at Sage. “If you don’t want your staff jumping ship, I suggest you listen.”
He sighed and glanced over at Gina. “Set up a meeting for next month.”
“Next month!” Sage objected.
He shrugged. “It’s truly the best I can do. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” He turned and headed back to his office, shutting his door, and leaving Sage staring in his direction.
“Shall I set up that appointment?” Gina asked.
Sage shook her head in disbelief but nodded. If that was all they could get, she would have to accept it, but she could already hear the disgruntled sounds coming from her co-workers when she brought the word back to them.
Gina handed Sage an appointment card, unmoved by Sage’s frustrations. “He better not cancel this one. He’s been putting us off for months, and it’s time he really takes note and listens.” Gina shrugged as her phone rang, and she answered, barely making eye contact as Sage turned and left the office.
Three employees stood outside the door. With his ear against the wall, Marcus cleared his throat and jumped back. “So?” he asked. “How’d it go?”
Sage rolled her eyes. “Didn’t you hear? It didn’t.”
“What’d he say?” Rose asked, moving in closer to them.
“Not much,” Sage shifted her gaze. “He was in a meeting and never came out of it until he had to rush to something else. He said an emergency, and I call BS. He’s ignoring us.”
“Again,” Drake grumbled.
“Precisely,” Sage replied.
“I just don’t get it,” Rose replied. “It’s like they don’t give a damn about any of us.” She crossed her arms. “I’m fed up and know I’m not the only one.”
“It’s number ten on my list,” Sage remarked. She glanced at her watch. “I have to get to my floor. Duty calls.” She held up the appointment card. “I’ll try again next month.” She shrugged. “Sooner or later, he’ll have to listen, right?”
She gave them each an encouraging smile but mentally groaned as she rushed to the elevator. She wasn’t sure of anything, especially how little the hospital truly respected them. She fell back against the elevator as the doors closed her in.
Sage had been an Occupational Therapist at LA County Hospital for over eight years. It had become a never-ending cycle as things had gradually become worse. Everyone felt like overtime was necessary because the work couldn’t get done without it, yet overtime was never approved. Therefore, they didn’t get paid for it. Was it disheartening? Absolutely because a body can only take so much. Sage wanted to help her co-workers and friends have a better working experience, but it couldn’t all be held on her shoulders even though Sage wanted to help them. She had to find a way to do it. Somehow someway.
Stassi
“Hey, Dad, it’s me. I texted you a couple of nights ago and haven’t heard back. Just wanted to make sure everything was alright. Call me.” Stassi dropped her phone in her pocket. It wasn’t like her dad to ignore her pleas for money. He was usually quick to load the funds, so when two days passed, she worried that something might have gone awry.
She stepped onto the curb of the small diner. Now, this was heaven. It was a hole-in-the-wall place that was a few miles outside of LA, but a place that offered some of the finer bakery delights. When she wanted the best, she would make her way there. Yet, just one whiff made her feel like she was gaining ten pounds. She usually shrugged it off and dug right in. She spotted a dog hooked up to the bike rack as she approached the door. The leash was dangling, barely holding the dog in place. And the dog seemed oblivious to the fact that one run and he’d be loose.
She snickered as she approached. In just a week, this would be her second dog encounter. It was like the universe was trying to tell her something. She knelt at the dog and tied him tighter to the rack.
“That way, you won’t get free. If you were human, you’d thank me.” He wagged his tail, and she laughed. Maybe dogs were smart enough to speak human tongue. “Your owner should be back out here shortly.” She turned and headed into the diner. A line was formed at the counter, and Stassi waited patiently until it was her turn. She looked over her shoulder and saw that a man, whom she hoped was the owner, untied the dog, and they walked off. The dog didn’t appear to be in distress, so it had to be fine.
“Stassi? Stassi?” Stassi whirled on her heel and hurried up to the counter. They all knew her by name. That happens when you frequent a diner as if you were the primary investor.
“Sorry, Clay. I was admiring the puppy out there.”
He snickered. “Didn’t know you were a dog lover.”
She shrugged. She didn’t know either. “I’ll take a cold brew and a scone, please. Oh, to go.”
“Coming right up.” Clay, the barista, turned and did his work as Stassi opened her wallet and glanced at her cards. She grabbed her debit card and placed it on the counter. She still had a little tucked away in her bank until her dad would finally get her loaded once more.