KATHRYN

A cold breeze swooped my office as I sat in my desk. Since I've divorced Darnell, I have to work two jobs. Darnell tried to let me take half off his bank account, which was three times my annual salary, but I didn't. People were already saying I was a gold digger, and that's the last thing I want to be. The last thing I need to be really.

I worked as a manager for a gun violence campaign. It was little pay but it got me around. Of course the head of the organization thought that I was perfect for a spoke person and organizer. I didn't really like doing the work so I hired an assistant. That's why I don't get paid much because I give almost half my pay to her. She's a college student so I understand her struggles.

There was a knock on my door. It opened slightly. I smiled and she preceded to walk in. She stood up in front of my desk.

"I have a few things for you today,"She spoke softly.

"I had a long day at work. Please let it be short."

"Well Ciara and Russell called. They will perform at the fundraiser as long as you're speaking. TMZ is going to pull the story of your mother as long as you speak at the fundraiser as well. Oh and Michelle called. She wants you at her book signing to meet her author. It's tomorrow but we can always cancel,"She flipped the page on her clipboard. "At 1 you have a meeting with Principal Toledo to speak about a possible event at the school. Also Oprah is here today with the cast of Queen Sugar. They want you to make an appearance. Finally at 8 you have to sit down with CNN for a live news report,"Lillian said.

"What the hell does CNN want? I already did like 3 segments with them."

"They want you to speak about having a gun pulled on you last week. You're a very hot topic Ms. Smith."

I rolled my eyes. Some bitch pulled a gun on me last week in Hobby Lobby. I reacted in a calm manner because I'm a RN. I have to act calm in all situations. I simply got her to put the gun down by talking to them.

She was mad because I was the only one who survived. Her sister, a patient, passed away. She thought I was to blame. I had to assure her that I didn't choose to be here. Lord knows if I had to I wouldn't.

"Cancel Queen Sugar, bring Oprah. Tell Toledo we have to reschedule, I have to get to work at 10. Tell CNN that it can't be a live segment. Ill invite them
to my house."

"Gotcha! Anything else Ms. Smith?"

"Please call me Kat. Did you hear back from Kehlani and J Cole?"

"Kehlani is pregnant. She can't perform at the fundraiser, but she said she will still show face. J Cole's assistant hasn't respo-"

"I'll handle that."

"You sure? His assistant is a friend of mine."

"And I'm his friend. He'll answer me don't worry."

She nodded and left swiftly. I picked up the phone and searched for Jermaine's name. The door opened back up and Lillian walked in with a bouquet of tulips.

"Darnell just sent these...trash?"She asked.

She already knew the routine. I threw away everything Darnell sent here. We're divorced for a reason. I don't want any ties with him, but he doesn't seem to feel the same way.

I nodded. She smiled and closed the door. Lillian was a great assistant. Ever since the night at Chick-Fil-A I couldn't stop thinking about this girl. She really thought something of me. She was very hardworking, so I paid her a lot more than Chick-Fil-A could ever. Now she can pay for college and other stuff. I have some strings pulled to get her a grant. The phone ring loudly in my ear.

"Jermaine! You need a new assistant,"I said.

ANDRE

I set the computer down on my desk. The girl beside me popped her gum loudly. It was hella annoying and I couldn't focus on what I was trying to do.

"Can ya be a lil mo' quieta? I'm tryna focus,"I whispered.

"This the same Spanish we took in high school. You ain't take it?"She hollered.

The professor looked up at us. I put my head down and continued to act like I was typing.

"You ain't hear me?"She hollered again.

"Shut up!" I whispered. "Ya gon get our asses in trouble."

She smirked, "I like an aggressive man."

"Mr. Harper?"The professor called out.

Shit

"Is there anything you'd like to add? I mean since you have so much to say." I shook my head no. "Why don't you stay after class Mr. Harper? You can tell me what was so important."

I silently cursed the girl beside me. She was still popping that gum. I continued to listen and take notes, even though I couldn't really. I would just have to get PJ to teach it to me. His daddy from Costa Rica. PJ ain't the best teacher, but he'll do for now.

After class, the girl spit her gum out. It pissed me off but I didn't say anything. I was here on lucky terms, and I refused to lose it.

The professors waved me over. I slung my backpack across my shoulder and began to walk over to him. He was a stereotypical teacher, white, with deep grey hair. Wrinkles outlined most of his face and made him look old. He was missing a few teeth, but nothing to noticeable.

"Mr. Harper, please have a seat,"He said loudly.

I sat down in the chair across from his desk. His classroom was so small, that I should've been sitting in a desk as well. There wasn't many people in this class but it was definitely a few more than I would like.

"Cómo estás?"He asked.

"Uh...regular,"I said as my brain processed what he said.

"Muy bien. A donde vas despues de clase?"

It took me a while to translate what he was saying, but eventually I got it.

"Mi casa. Yo soy pasa tiempo con mi hija."

"Incorrecto. You said 'I am spend time with my daughter'. You need to add 'voy a' before pasa. That's what happens when you don't listen Mr. Harper."

I mentally slapped myself for the mistake I made. I knew that. Of course I knew that.

"I was tryna listen but tha girl beside me wouldn't stop smackin. I can't concentrate."

"Then move...you have the option Mr. Harper. Your education is in your hands, not hers."

I stood up. This man had all types of rules that didn't apply to me. I grabbed my book bag and walked over to the door.

"Have a good day Mr. Harper."

I rolled my eyes and continued my journey. I didn't like being in school but it was better than not having an education. Ever since I've been in a school, my job offers have skyrocketed. I got hella opportunities for shit that I'm not even qualified to do.

Darnell got me a scholarship. He funded everything else. Even though I hated handouts, I got a payment plan to pay him back everything and 10% interest. Darnell has really been a major help within these past few months. He helped PJ and Phrey find someone to marry them. He even got John Legend to perform. He help Amarah get into a private school that's really helping her.

Some days I get upset because I'm supposed to be him, but with his help I can be. I'm getting a nursing degree. I know it's not typical for a black male to be a nurse but fuck it. The lady who saved my life was a black nurse.

I walked out the doors to the school and felt the cool breeze. I was happy winter was drifting away, because with every new season comes new blessings.

KATHRYN

My keycard beeped as I placed it into the door. I've been working night shift at the hospital every other day. Since I almost killed my mother, I decided to come in tonight and make up for the work that I missed.

My pocket buzzed. I took out my phone and saw my best friend Riley and Zamia's texts. Riley was a dermatologist at a different hospital. We met in medical school and ever since then we've been really good friends.

Zamia and I are cousins. We've always been hella close. When snotty nosed bitches picked on me in grade school Zamia was always there for me. She doesn't have a job because she's a stay at home mom...to a dog.

Riley👩🏾‍⚕️💊💉: I know yo ass coming with Zamia and I to the club tomorrow night

Zamia🐶🙄: That's right! You know how hard it was to convince Rico to let my sister babysit Patty?

Riley👩🏾‍⚕️💊💉:Bitch I know you ain't just say that dog need to be babysat! Why can't Rico watch it?

Zamia🐶🙄: My dog is not a fucking it. Rico couldn't watch him because they got a game tomorrow.

Can't make it tomorrow. Sorry guys, I'll be there in spirit.

I shoved my phone back in my pocket. I grabbed my clipboard and saw I was working the ER tonight. I've only worked the ER a few times, and it was never my favorite thing. Anything is possible at the ER. I've seen patients die, lose limbs, get organs taken out. The ER is no joke, and I hate to work it.

To add to my hate, Darnell works there. I was trying my best to avoid him in every way possible. Sometimes that meant skipping lunch, taking the long way to the break room, and going to downstairs pharmacy. It was highly annoying but nothing was more annoying than Darnell.

I started my journey to the ER. Immediately I already see a young girl being brought in by stretcher. My eyes began to swell with tears as I noticed what had happened to her. She had a gunshot wound to her abdomen. Blood stained her clothes a deep red. The EMTs we're hooking her up to oxygen as they pushed her to the room.

"Sad story of what happened to that girl,"The voice boomed.

I jumped. I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes. One of the requirements of being in any medical field is being calm even when the situation around you makes it very hard for you to do that. It took a while for me to adjust but I eventually got it. It all kind of left when I fell into a coma.

"Her boyfriend tried to kill her over a piece of pizza. He beat her up pretty badly. When she tried to escape, he shot her. He called the police but he ran. They don't think she's gonna make it."

I looked at the stretcher one more time and noticed her chest wasn't moving.

"Patient is lost!"The emts and few nurses shouted.

I put my hand over my chest as I saw them push her into the room. That poor girl couldn't have been any older than 18.

Darnell placed his arm around my shoulder as I watched the scene unfold. Once I had enough of watching them try to revive her, I broke free of Darnell's grip and grabbed my clipboard. My phone buzzed again in my pocket.

Riley👩🏾‍⚕️💊💉: this bitch ain't just say she ain't coming...did I read that right?

Zamia🐶🙄: No she said she coming to your house tomorrow at 7...after she come pick me up.

I gently laughed at them. They wouldn't give me a choice if I were to go or not. I opened the contacts in my phone and began to scroll down until I reached M.

The phone rung for awhile but finally her soft voice filled my ears.

"Hello?...HELLLO?...This is the FBI. You call my number again and ima track yo ass down bitch! By-"

"Mama?" I croaked.

The phone got silent for a second. "Kathryn? This you girl?"

"Yeah, I just want to say sorry for everything. Yes you weren't the best mother, but you're still my mother. I shouldn't have disrespected you like that."

The silence continued to ring in my ear.

"You know if you ever need a place to stay you can crash with me. My house isn't as big as it was but it's perfect for the two of us. I can give you your own room an-"

The dial tone cut off the silence. I looked at my phone and saw she had hung up. Well God couldn't say I didn't try. If that was to be her on that stretcher, I wouldn't have anything to do with it.

"That's ma daughta! That's ma fuckin daughter!"I heard a voice shout.

I glanced up and saw Darnell running towards the stretcher that held another little girl, except she was smaller this time. The father was being pushed back as they ran with the stretcher.

Darnell dodged the stretcher and ran towards the guy. He was trying to calm him down but the guy wasn't having it.

"Andre, tell me your date of birth,"Darnell spoke calmly.

My mouth stood agape at the scene. That was Amarah. Lord that was Amarah.

"That's my fuckin daughta man! I gotta see ha! Please, she all I got,"Andre whispered.

I ran to the room where they were pushing her too. I couldn't see anything truly wrong with her, but I knew it had to be something if he was reacting this badly.

"Andre please, just tell me your date of birth."

"March seventeenth, ninety seven."

"Mr. Harper?" I shouted, before I entered the door.

"Com'in," His voice roared.

I opened the door to his room. I heard soft murmurs coming from the couch. A little girl sat on the couch playing with her dolls. I thought they took the children away if you attempted suicide. Maybe I don't know everything in the health care setting.

"Amarah, hush up na'. The nurse here," He said to her.

I playfully laughed. I picked up some of her toys off of the floor and handed them too her.

"Oh no, it's perfectly fine. You can keep playing sweetheart."

"I want mine and her hair to be like yours!" The child shouted.

She pointed to her doll. It was a black Barbie doll. One of the typical ones.

"Let's say after this I can teach you how to do you're hair like this! I'll do yours too!"I told her.

"Yay!" She screamed.

"Oh ya don't have ta do that! I do ha hair perfectly fine! Amarah, play with dem toys and hush na'! I'm sorry about that! Now Ms," He glared at my name tag, "Stevens. She ain't have no nap today. I think we ought ta' let her lay on down and be quiet. She will talk ya head off."

I laughed, "Kids will be kids Mr. Harper. That's what they do best."

"Please Ms. Stevens, don't call me Mr. Harper. I'm only twenty-one. I ain't no old man," He joked.

"Alright Andre, I'm going to check some of your cuts, and a few bruises. I just need to make sure everything is alright. Is that okay?" I asked.

"That's coo'."

"Can you tell me your date of birth?"

"March seventeenth, ninety-seven'"

"Have you been feeling any pains or aches?"

"Just on the back of ma legs. Them burns hurt more than a mug."

"Alright, I have your medic-"

A sudden ringing filled my ears. I looked over and saw the flashing silver light on the wall. "Code Silver, I repeat this is a Code Silver. All hospital staff, please do what you are instructed to do. Code Silver,"The intercom announced.

I ran to the door and quickly looked out of it. I was in charge of most of this hall. I locked Mr. Harper's door and ran to my other patients. I quickly locked their doors. I looked down the hall and saw a tall man dressed in all black. I kind of panicked. My second month on the job and we already have an active shooter. I turned my neck a little to see what damage he had done. Eh already left bullet holes in doors, that weren't locked.

I ran back to Mr. Harper's room. His little girl needed to be protected, because he couldn't really help her. Once I was in the room, I grabbed the little girl placed her in the bathroom. I heard Mr. Harper shouting something.

I turned my head to the door. A single shot rang out.

I snapped out of my trance once I realized what happened. I placed my hand on the window and watched as they hooked Amarah up to machines.

"Please let her be okay God. I gotta do her hair,"I spoke softly.