fifteen minutes late (13)

She runs for the back door of the hospital.

Doesn’t see the notice taped there til she tries to open it.

Locked. Unsafe. Non-critical patients transferred to Mercy.

Emergency care only here at Kern County General.

The tail lights of Bobby’s car already disappearing

down the street. It’ll take half an hour to walk to Mercy.

Nothing to be done about that. Might as well start walking.

She turns the corner in front of General.

Big military style tents are set up on the lawn.

She won’t have to hoof it to Mercy after all.

Thelma Weber, the head nurse is hustling from tent to tent,

flashlight and clipboard in hand.

Looks at her watch when Ruthie approaches.

Frowns. You’re late. I’m sorry. You’re sorry.

Well. Sorry doesn’t get the work done, does it?

No ma’am.

Do you have an explanation? Not that it matters.

My ride was delayed.

Your ride. That slickster with the hair and fancy suit?

It’s up to you how you get here, but relying on a character

like that is very poor judgement if you ask me.

And last night wasn’t much of an improvement.

I saw you with that young man in his hoodlum jalopy.

Every employee of this hospital is expected to maintain respectability.

That goes for everybody. Including janitorial staff.

But that’s not the worst of it. This entanglement, with a man,

even a man without his questionable background,

men who aren’t of the same, uh, breed?

There are certain boundaries that must never be crossed.

Do you understand what I’m saying? Yes ma’am.

I haven’t decided what actions may be necessary.

I’ll inform you in the morning. There’s plenty of work tonight

and it won’t be as easy as your regular duties.

I’m inclined to dismiss you on the spot.

In fact, consider yourself terminated as of now.

Please, Mrs Weber, I’m really sorry. It won’t ever happen again.

No, it won’t because you won’t be employed here.

Please. I promise. Alright Ruthie I’ll think about it

and let you know in the morning.

Since you’re here, you might as well get to work.

If I ever hear about you being seen with that man

or any other man who is not from your background,

that will result in immediate dismissal.

Are we clear on this?

Yes ma’am.

Good. There are pails and sponges over there by the back entrance.

And a cart for soiled sheets.

Ruthie hurries to fetch the cart and pails.

Fills one from a faucet next to a climbing rose on the wall of the hospital.

As she’s lugging it back to the tents, she hears the unmistakeable sound

of a barely muffled flathead Ford.

She ducks behind the tent and peers around the corner.

It’s Henry, driving by slowly. She slips into the tent, thrilled that he’s near

but afraid that he’ll come in. The sound of the motor begins to fade.

Safe. For now.