“Not sure that will work.Kind of crosses some lines.”
“You can make it happen somehow.I want to focus on my recovery, not wondering who next is going to take pictures or record my therapy sessions.”
I heard his sigh over the line.“Fine.We’ll make it happen.But there’s going to be paperwork coming out the wazoo.”
“I’ll sign whatever.Please—I’ve been through the media circus before and I don’t want a repeat.”
“I’ll get back to you.”
I slid my phone in my pocket and took a long breath.This was either the best or the worst idea I’d had.Now I wasn’t sure if I wanted Mia to agree—or not.
Chapter11
I’m Not Okay
Mia
It was a quiet shift.I’d done some vitals checks and given my client pain meds during the night, but otherwise he’d slept.This should be an easy assignment.The day PSW came in, and I passed over responsibility for my patient.
In the rideshare home I checked my phone and found a message to get in touch with the office of Caring Hands Home Care.I called immediately, covering up a yawn with one forearm.I didn’t like it when a shift ended too late for me to see Arne off to school but still stretched over nights so I was out of sync with my family.I should have taken the bus home but I was so tired.I needed our car.
What did Caring Hands want to talk to me about?My current patient was recovering from a pelvic fracture, and while he was doing well, the family would need me there for the next two weeks, possibly longer.The man’s wife had thanked me for my assistance before I left, so there were no complaints from them.As far as I knew, all my paperwork was up to date, but I mentally ran over everything while I waited to be put through to the operations manager.
I did not expect her to inform me that I was being switched to a new assignment, effective tomorrow.
“Tomorrow?”How the hell were they going to work things out that quickly?
“You were requested as soon as possible.”Legally, I couldn’t work today since I was just off shift.And I desperately needed sleep.
“But what about Mr.Liu?”I asked.He wasn’t the most complicated assignment I’d ever had, but he would definitely need someone on site by this evening when the day shift nurse went home.I couldn’t leave a patient in the lurch, but then neither would the company.
“We’ve asked Olive to take on a few shifts till we can get someone else in.”
Olive was not going to be happy about that.She took fewer assignments in the spring and summer so they could enjoy their sailboat.
I needed details to make sure Arne’s care was covered.“Okay, so tell me about this job.”
“I’m sending you all the information.”
“Can you give me the basics now?I’m going home to sleep, and if I have to arrange for childcare, I need to get on it.”
“Monday to Friday, days, hours can be flexible if you and the client agree.”
That sounded good.Almost too good.Perhaps a senior who could no longer handle regular care and had some health issues that needed to be monitored?
“Is anyone else working there?”Was there someone covering nights?Was I taking over for another worker?Maybe they’d been unhappy with their care from another company?
“No.You’re the only one working.They’ve booked for six weeks and promised to pay the contract in advance even though they’ve indicated they might not require you for the full period.They insisted that you would be paid regardless.Since we’re removing you from your current assignment and a possible long-term one following that, it’s fair.”
If something sounded too good to be true, it normally was.And my spidey senses were tingling.“So what does this job entail?”A horrible client who couldn’t keep a nurse around?Interfering family members?Oh, maybe it was for a film, with an injured crew member or to advise on medical procedures.They’d be willing to pay more than a regular person.
“There are some unusual circumstances with this assignment, as you’ll see in the paperwork.Read it carefully.”
Hinkier and hinkier.“Can I know who the client is?”
“You’ll meet him when you go for your first shift tomorrow.The paperwork we’ve sent through includes the address and an NDA.”
An NDA?We were already pledged to confidentiality about our work.Something was seriously whack about this assignment.“What if I don’t want to take this one?”