Accidental Tryst (Charleston #1)(56)
I inhaled deeply, taking note of where I was. I couldn't afford to be out of work right now if I was going to help David. Swallowing all my frustration like a lump of clay, I told him, "Steven, you can count on me. I won't overstay my leave again."
"See that you don't. See you on Monday bright and early."
"See you Monday," I replied dejectedly.
The call ended.
* * *
I hate my boss.
* * *
Suit Monkey: What happened?
* * *
Pitch was cancelled. He knew that but still made me call in. I'm feeling . . . stabby.
* * *
Suit Monkey: Stabby?
* * *
Murderous!
* * *
Suit Monkey: So you texted ME? Great.
* * *
Sorry.
* * *
I found myself grinning.
* * *
Suit Monkey: No it's fine really. It's nice to know I spring to mind when you're stirred to great heights of passion. Was just hoping they'd be less murderous and more amorous.
* * *
In the middle of the day?
* * *
Suit Monkey: A noon delight? Why not?
* * *
I gasped dramatically in the empty break room and typed double exclamation points of shock and hit send.
* * *
Suit Monkey: I'm kidding. Kind of. Not really. But I bet you're smiling now. Or at least rolling your eyes.
* * *
I am :)
* * *
Trystan: I'm in a car with my uncle and my cousin going to visit some of the properties I now own. But if I weren't . . .
* * *
Stop.
* * *
Suit Monkey: Okay.
* * *
Is this what we are now?
* * *
Suit Monkey: What?
* * *
Phone sex buddies.
* * *
Suit Monkey: Do we have to label it?
* * *
You can't even commit to phone sex? You're worse off than I thought.
* * *
Suit Monkey: Ha. You think you're pretty funny.
* * *
I was smiling, but I was only half joking. The truth was I was still feeling pretty raw about the hotel room situation and imagining all the countless women he'd brought there. A physical shudder jolted through me. Somehow when we texted, it was just easier to pretend everything was okay though. I mean, who created relationship drama with someone they'd never even met?
"Knock, knock," said a voice from the door.
I looked up to see the administrator, Penny.
She entered the room, and I slipped my feet off the chair in front of me, so she could sit down.
"Hey, Penny. I'm so sorry about David yesterday."
"Honey, don't apologize," she said, wafting down with a thud onto the empty seat. "These things happen. I found out we had a short power outage at about five in the morning yesterday." She shook her head. "It must have been some crazy confluence of events that David managed to get up unseen, get downstairs before the morning shift, and then pass through the doors at the exact time the power was out."
"Wow," I said because what else could I say? That was some crazy synchronicity right there. "That was bad luck."
"And good luck that he was found safe and sound. I'm glad you were able to get someone to help you. We panicked when we couldn't get you on your phone." She tutted. "So," she said and settled into the chair. "I took the liberty of calling around some places near you in South Carolina."
"You did?"
"Yes, I spoke with the Medicaid consultant you'd found. I thought perhaps a call from me might spur on the situation and have her move a little faster identifying places. We went ahead and put David's name down for four facilities that have dementia care in South Carolina."
"You did? Wow, that was fast. Thank you."
She inclined her head. "Sometimes it's easier to get through to the right people when you know the system. I believe the best one is in a place called Summerville."
"Oh, that's super close to Charleston." Hope ballooned in my chest. "It's a drive, but doable. With urban sprawl it's practically become part of greater Charleston."
"Well, there's no guarantee. They have a limited number of Medicaid beds. None of these places do more than they are required to by law. They have to be financially sustainable after all. But I'm going to suggest that when you get home you go and visit them. Have them put a face to a name. See if there's any way to speed up the process." She handed me a manila folder. "All four are in here with phone numbers and contact information. Then you'll have to rely on the administration staff to file all their paperwork in a timely manner so you can get coverage as soon as possible. They always have a backlog though, so you need to be prepared for out-of-pocket medical expenses in the interim."