Page 7 of Captivated

“Oh, just back east,” I offer.

“Emerson Falls, Oregon sure is a long way from back east. What brought you all the way out here?” Jess presses as we take two seats behind a computer while a voice comes over the speakers asking for a patient to return to the front desk.

“Just ready to spread my wings and make something of myself.” I figure that’s a safe answer, not one that invites too many questions.

“I can agree with that. Hell, my parents weren’t happy when I moved down here from Portland, but the money was good and I was ready to work. Once you pass that NCLEX, it’s like hearing the bullet signaling the start of the race for employment, am I right?” She chuckles, turning to me so I can see the playfulness in her green eyes.

“Absolutely. I was ready, and this place just seemed like the perfect town to settle down in.” I remember seeing Emerson Falls on the map when I was researching jobs back in Denver, clicking on the job posting and wondering where the hell a place named Emerson Falls would exist. And when I did some research and noticed how quaint, quiet, and homey the town looked from the pictures and articles from newspapers I read, I knew it was the perfect place for me to go—it was also about as far away from home as possible, and that’s what I needed—distance.

Jess shows me the ropes of the hospital—where supplies are located, how to log-in to the computer and access files and where to input information, and I shadow her for the next few patients while I get the hang of everything. I’m a fast learner though—and after following her movements for two cases, she lets me fly solo on the third. Before I know it, we’re closing in on the end of my first twelve-hour shift.

“You impressed me today, Piper,” Jess says, pulling my attention from the computer in front of me.

“Thanks. Today was pretty easy, though. Ear infection on the little boy, heartburn for the guy that thought he was having a heart attack… not too bad for a first day,” I wink at her.

“I think you’ll fit in great here. We need strong nurses. It’s hard to find stable employees in a small town like ours that are worth their weight in gold. Frankly, there aren’t many people to choose from. You know what it takes to become a nurse and the hiring pool is slim in a small town.”

I think back to the long hours of studying, the years of schooling and then clinical hours, not to mention studying and passing the NCLEX. It was grueling and exhausting, but I loved every minute of it and wouldn’t change my dedication to it for anything. Heck, even my mom knew from a young age that I was destined to take care of people—fix the broken, as she would say. I once nursed a baby bird back to health that fell from a nest, and when my best friend Rachel broke her arm, I was the one that fastened a splint out of my shoelaces and cardboard until we could get back home from the park we were playing at down the street from our houses. Taking care of people is ingrained in my soul, and it feels surreal to finally be in a position to do so.

I just never imagined I would be single, alone, and three-thousand miles away from my parents—in Emerson Falls, Oregon—when that dream became a reality.

“Well, the truth is I need to be here as much as you need me, so I think we’re all winning,” I say, but instantly tense when I realize I may have said too much.

“I’m definitely glad you’re here. So, I know this may sound forward, but every third Thursday of the month, a group of us goes out to Tony’s Bar to have a few drinks and socialize outside of the hospital. Would you be interested in tagging along? It’d be a great way for you to meet some of the other nurses and make some friends. I’m sure you’ll get lonely in a new place so far away from home,” Jess speaks and thankfully she doesn’t press on my comment from before.

“Um, I’ll think about it. Thanks.”

“No, don’t think about it. Do it! Come on,” she whines and then straightens her spine. “I know it’s scary going out with a bunch of people you don’t know, but I will be there and so will Alice,” she beams, and I really want to deny her—but Jess is one of those girls you can’t help but want to be friends with. I’ve watched her interact with patients all night, and she has a comforting spirit about her that puts people at ease. When she first started showing me around at the beginning of my shift, I instantly trusted her because I didn’t get any ill energy from her at all. She just seems like a decent human being, and lord knows, I could use a few of those in my life.

I sigh. “You’re right. Okay. I’ll be there,” I nod and smile as she claps her hands together in celebration.

“Yes! You’ll have a blast, I promise. And wear something sexy—something that will show off that body I know you’re hiding beneath those scrubs,” she says as her eyes dance down my torso and legs. “Curl that gorgeous blonde hair of yours and do up those eyes! I’ll need a wingman as I go out on the prowl,” she winks.

That comment withdraws a chuckle from me. “Uh, you’re on your own there. No men for me.”

“Uh oh, what idiotic thing did your ex do?” She teases.

“I just feel like I’m better off alone right now,” I explain, hoping that will appease her because in reality, no one needs to know about my ex. When my parents suggested I get out of harm’s way, I never realized how hard it would be to start over and have to dodge harmless questions at every turn. I like Jess, I do. But there’s no way I could tell her why I’m here.

No one can know why I’m here.

“Hey, I understand. But still, dress up. It always puts me in a better mood when I see myself all dolled up and reflect on that bad bitch looking back at me in the mirror. I don’t waste time doing too much to myself for work, so when I can, I try to enjoy it,” she shrugs.

“That makes sense. And hey, thanks for showing me everything today. I really appreciate it.”

“Of course. We’re a team here. Just let me know if you ever need anything,” she smiles and then we turn back to finish up the rest of our shift.

By the time I turn the key in the lock to my apartment, it’s after six in the morning. I’ll be on night shifts for the foreseeable future, so this will definitely take some time getting used to.

The ringtone coming from my bedroom startles me as I drop my purse and keys on the counter, but the sound also offers me a comfort as I race to my room and locate my one contact to my family back home.

“Hi, Mom,” I breathe into my burner phone as I answer, tears instantly clouding my eyes with how much I miss her.

“Darling. How are you, my dear? Goodness, I miss you so much,” she croaks through the line.

Sniffling and wiping the tears from my face, I gather myself to reply. “I miss you too, Mom. So much. But things are good. I started my job at the hospital last night.” I take a seat on my bed as I take off my shoes and flex my sore feet.

“Oh, sweetheart, that’s wonderful! Was it everything you imagined it would be?” I can almost envision my mother sitting on her white sofa in the formal living room of our mansion of a house while holding her hand to her chest as she talks to me. The same blonde locks that I inherited from her would be pulled back into a sleek chignon, and a custom-tailored outfit would adorn her slender body. My mother is the epitome of elegance, a virtue I was held to as well since our family is one of fortune. But my parents never let money distract them from what was important in life—family, goals, ambitions—which is why they fully supported me when I told them I wanted to be a nurse.

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