Chapter 12 - I Did Not Get The Promotion
I was reinstated.
I also received a final written warning.
Both could happen.
Apparently adulthood enjoyed that arrangement.
My suspension became four paid days.
The finding said David had acted disproportionately in publicly suspending me before gathering facts.
It also said I had ignored a direct instruction and attempted to escort an unidentified visitor into a restricted executive area without authorization.
My badge was returned.
My promotion was not.
Not denied forever.
Deferred six months.
Rebecca told me herself.
“I know that hurts.”
“It does.”
“You can appeal.”
“Should I?”
“That isn't my answer.”
I almost laughed.
Everybody had become Margaret.
I asked:
“Would you appeal?”
Rebecca gave me a look.
“Emily.”
“Worth trying.”
“No.”
I nodded.
That answer surprised me.
She continued:
“I think you should spend six months proving you can advocate without making yourself the only adult in the room.”
Painfully specific.
“Okay.”
“Still want charge?”
“I don't know.”
She smiled.
“Better.”
When I returned to the floor, the nurses clapped.
I wanted to crawl into a medication cart.
“Stop.”
They clapped louder.
Luke Brennan had apparently sent cookies.
That irritated me.
I ate two.
Around noon, I walked toward a patient room and saw Margaret sitting alone at the far end of the hall.
No entourage.
No board members.
Same beige coat.
I stopped.
“What are you doing here?”
“Visiting.”
“Who?”
“None of your business.”
I stared.
She smiled.
“Look at you learning.”
I sat beside her.
“Got my job back.”
“I heard.”
“Didn't get charge.”
“I heard that too.”
“Did Rebecca call you?”
“No.”
I narrowed my eyes.
Margaret laughed.
“I sit on the board. Information exists around me.”
Fair.
I asked:
“Are you disappointed?”
“About what?”
“The warning.”
“No.”
“Promotion?”
“No.”
“That's cold.”
“You're twenty-seven.”
“My mother said that.”
“Smart woman.”
“I’m surrounded.”
Margaret looked down the hallway.
Then:
“David's review is continuing.”
“I know.”
“He may not return.”
“Do you think he should?”
She thought.
“I don't know.”
I looked at her.
“You?”
“Yes.”
“Margaret Hale said I don't know.”
“Record it.”
I smiled.
Then she became serious.
“David did things that damaged trust.”
“Yes.”
“He also made staff safer in ways the hospital needed.”
“Yes.”
“The board has to decide whether those facts can live inside the same employment decision.”
“And?”
“I don't know.”
I nodded.
Then:
“Who are you visiting?”
She looked at me.
“An old friend.”
“Patient?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
We sat.
After a minute:
“Emily.”
“What?”
“The board is creating a temporary working group.”
I groaned.
“No.”
“You haven't heard what it is.”
“If the words working group are involved, I decline.”
She smiled.
“Patient access.”
“Still no.”
“Front-line nurses, security, reception, Patient Relations.”
“Margaret.”
“Paid.”
I stared.
“That is manipulative.”
“I chaired middle school budget committees. I know my audience.”
I laughed.
Then stopped.
“Are you asking because of the lobby?”
“Yes.”
“So I'm being rewarded.”
“No.”
Her answer came quickly.
“You'd have to apply.”
I frowned.
“And I may not choose you.”
“That's worse.”
“Yes.”
I thought.
Then asked:
“Why me?”
“Because you make exactly the kind of mistake I don't want the group pretending only administrators make.”
That wasn't flattering.
It was probably why I trusted it.
I didn't answer.
Margaret stood.
“My friend hates being kept waiting.”
“You've been here ten minutes.”
“She has cancer. Time is expensive.”
She walked away.
I watched her enter a patient room.
A nurse passing me said:
“Who's that?”
I looked at Margaret.
Then answered:
May you like
“A visitor.”
And left it there.
