Page 67 of Rewind

“What’s this?” Amina stared at the letter Paisley handed her.

The blonde plopped down in the chair across from Amina’s desk. “It’s my letter of resignation.”

Amina’s heart plummeted. In the past few months, she and Paisley had become best friends outside of her relationship with Ethan. They were shopping buddies and called and texted each other regularly.

She’d never had another woman she could confide in like Paisley. Amina was friendly with a few of the nurses at the office, but she wasn’t as close to any of them like she was with the chipper receptionist.

“I don’t understand. Why are you leaving? Is there something I can do to make things better? It’s not Carole is it? She’s been very testy lately.”

Paisley rolled her eyes. “Carole is a miserable human being and there’s no changing that. And to be fair, she’s made me want to quit before, like that time she deliberately ate my donut. Ithink if you hadn’t fixed the situation I may left that day. But no, I’ve learned not to let her get under my skin.”

“So what’s the issue? The office won’t be the same without you.”

“Well, I never finished my degree because I partied way too much when I went away to college. And since then, I’ve kind of been in limbo. You know my situation, how I’m the only girl in a family full of boys. I admit I’ve been spoiled to death by my dad. He still pays my rent and my credit card bills. Isn’t that kind of pathetic? I’m twenty-six years old, still being supported by her daddy.”

“I mean if he’s willing to do that for you, most people would say you’re very lucky, especially in this economy.”

“I know but lately, I’ve been thinking about my life and how I’d like to be able to stand on my own two feet and pave my own way. All my brothers have careers and families and I’m just good old Paisley meandering through life. No one in my family puts expectations on me because I didn’t have expectations for myself. I wanted to tell you before I told Dr. Carter and Dr. Han about me leaving because you’re kind of the catalyst for this.”

Amina’s brows flew up. “Me? Have I done something to offend you?”

Paisley waved her hands and shook her head. “No. Of course not. You know I love you Amina. You’re my girl. But it’s actually a good thing. Sometime around spring, there was something different about you. Some kind of spark. You weren’t the same gloomy office manager who kept her head down and didn’t really speak to people unless you had to. There was a light in your eyes that wasn’t there before. You started dressing better, with my help of course.” She paused to wink.

“And you seemed more confident. I was so inspired by you at that engagement party. I thought it was really badass how you handled that obnoxious family and your ex.”

Amina couldn’t help but giggle when she remembered Paisley threatening to call the cops. “Yeah, you went full white woman that night.”

“Hey, I don’t want to be one of those people, but I wasn’t going to let that jerk lay a finger on you. And I’d do it again. Anyway, seeing how much you’ve changed these past months has made me want to better myself as well. I’m going back to school and getting my degree in nursing. I want to be a geriatric care nurse.”

“My nana lives in one of those independent living nursing homes where all the patients have their own apartments. I love visiting her and I’ve watched the nurses interact with the residents there. I think I’d like to do something like that. I love old people and you know I’m super talkative. I’ve enrolled in a program at the local community college and once I get enough credits, I plan on transferring to either Temple or Penn. Not sure which yet.”

A smile touched Amina’s lips. Her eyes welled with tears and she was happy to have inspired someone into changing their life in such a positive way. Before her rebirth, Amina’s life had been so bleak and hopeless and now not only was she in a healthy relationship and saw a bright future, she was also helping others realize their potential.

“Well, not that you need my blessing, I wish you the best of luck. I’m very proud of you, hon. This may be sad news for the office but great news for you.” She stood up and walked around her desk to give her friend a hug.

Paisley returned her embrace enthusiastically. “Thank you, besties. I was so scared to tell you because I didn’t want you to be upset with me.”

“Why would I be upset over this? I think this is amazing news. You’re going to be an awesome nurse. You have a great heart and you’re compassionate and enthusiastic.”

“That really means a lot coming from you, Amina. I know my dad is going to be relieved when I can fully support myself.” She giggled.

“I’m sure that will be an added bonus. And plus even when things get hard, there’s a sense of pride being able to take care of yourself. I’m really going miss you Pais.”

“You act like we won’t be hanging out still. I’m going to keep calling and bugging you. And of course I’ll be at the wedding when you marry Dr. Han.”

Amina’s face grew warm and her heart skipped a beat. Ethan alluded to wanting to spend the rest of his life with her. She could see him in her future as well, but she didn’t want to jinx it. But things were going well. Maybe too well. “Girl, we haven’t been together for a year yet. It’s way too soon to talk about marriage.”

Paisley pursed her lips. “Who are you kidding? The man is smitten with you. We all see how he looks at you. That’s why Carole’s attitude has been so stinky recently. She’s a certified hater.”

As if she’d been summoned, Carole poked her head in Amina’s office with a thunderous frown. “There are people in the lobby, Paisley. You need to be at your station instead of chit chatting.”

Amina knew very well, Carole was only antagonizing Paisley because she thought the agreeable receptionist was an easy target.

“You can cover for her for a few minutes, can’t you?” Amina asked with a smile on her face.

“I have some charting to do,” Carole countered.

“And yet you’re here in my office telling Paisley what to do. I’m sure you can spare a couple minutes. And please close my door on your way out.”

---