Page 23 of Imperfection is Beauty

Today’s lunch consisted of a cheddar, noodles, chicken, broccoli, and pasta bake I made last night, along with some garlic bread. My mouth watered at the aromas I knew I would be enjoying during lunch.

For a snack, I packed some baby shark gummies, which were on sale. Don’t come for me.

Carrot sticks, broccoli, and a small cup of ranch.

Then I threw in two cans of my favorite sparkling water, black cherry flavored, and, of course, a can of Coca-Cola.

I didn’t toss in three mini-Snickers and two mini-Musketeers either. No, I definitely didn’t.

And the reason for all that food? I was doing my residency which consisted of twelve-hour days each month on a different floor.

And I was week two into the floor that I didn’t mind, but I hated the charge nurse.

She played favorites, and I couldn’t stand it.

Sighing I muttered, “Two more weeks of her. Only two more. Thank Christ.”

After I sat down at my little table in the alcove of my one-bedroom apartment, I inhaled my cinnamon roll and followed that up with a good mouthful of milk.

There was just something about drinking milk when you are eating a cinnamon roll or a donut. It just went together like yin and yang.

That was when I checked my phone.

Daddy –Hope you have a good day, Pumpkin. Don’t kill the bitch. You need Tyne? I’ll send him.

Me –I’ll let you know. Let’s see what fun stuff she comes up with. May need you to send in the big guns.

Betty –Sorry about your boy. Glad he’s okay.

Me –My television now has buttery popcorn on it.

Nurse Bitch –Be sure to wear the appropriate colored shoes today.

Really? Your favorite person didn’t do that yesterday, but yet, you tell me that? Really?

What a whore.

Unknown –Have a good day, girl. I really liked getting to you at the clubhouse. Perhaps we could get together and do it again.

I froze.

There was only one person that could be. What the fuck?

Then I hit my dad’s name and called him.

He answered on the third ring, “Hey, Pumpkin.”

I growled, “Hey Daddy, got a question. Can you find out who the hell gave Nash my phone number?”

He was silent for a beat and then said, “Umm, judging by your tone, you're not happy about it.”

I glared, even though he couldn’t see it, but I did it, “It was you. Wasn’t it?”

“Pumpkin, you don’t date. And I want you to. I want you to have a great and happy life. The two of you looked like y’all got on together okay.” Was he serious?

“Uh, do you have another daughter you were watching last night? Or do I need to ask the Doc at your next check-up to have your eyes checked?”

He sighed then, “Shit. What did he do?”

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