Chapter 3 - Phantom Pain
At two in the morning, Danny woke with fire tearing through his legs.
The doctors called it phantom pain. His legs could not feel a needle, yet his nerves screamed as if they were being crushed.
He gripped the wheels of his chair and tried to breathe.
Emma appeared in the doorway.
“Get out,” he said.
“Where are your pills?”
“I said leave.”
“Kitchen or bathroom?”
Danny stared at her. “Kitchen. Left of the sink.”
She returned with one pill and a glass of water.
“Two,” he ordered.
“The label says one.”
“Give me two.”
“No.”
His eyes hardened. “You know who I am?”
“Yes. You’re the reason three nurses resigned in one month.”
“Then you know better than to refuse me.”
Emma placed the pill in his palm. “You haven’t eaten. Taking two could make you sick.”
“I’ll decide what happens to me.”
“You can decide after you eat.”
Danny almost threw the glass.
Instead, he lowered it.
Emma went to the kitchen and returned with soup. She sat it on the desk beside him.
“I don’t want soup.”
“I didn’t ask.”
He looked at her cracked hands.
“You work two jobs.”
“And?”
“And you’re exhausted.”
“So are you.”
Danny looked away.
Emma sat across from him. “You’re not angry because you hate everyone. You’re angry because you’re afraid everyone will see how much you lost.”
The room went silent.
Danny’s voice became cold. “You’re fired.”
Emma stood.
Then she removed her apron and placed it on the desk.
“Fine.”
Danny expected relief.
Instead, panic rose inside him.
Emma walked toward the door.
“Wait.”
She turned.
Danny swallowed. “Finish the week.”
May you like
Emma put her apron back on.
“Fine. But you’re eating the soup.”
