Free Blackout by Jan Christensen

know about how the home office inspection went. Well, we need to do better. The main problem is decubiti, and we have to get a handle on this. If anyone has any suggestions or sees anything that might be a factor, please let me know. Make sure every resident is turned every two hours. Urge them to eat because nutrition is important, too, as you know. Be sure there is fresh water at bedside. We are going to start refreshing all pitchers in the middle of each shift. Offer water whenever you are with a resident.”
    She turned to make eye contact with everyone. “Now, the good news is the residents are highly satisfied with their care. Nursing care is excellent. Call lights are answered promptly, medications are given out properly, and residents are clean and well groomed. We need to continue with all the good things we’re doing and get a handle on the decub problem.”
    She finished with a big grin. “That’s pretty much it. There’s cake, coffee, and sodas in the break room as a small thank-you for the part each and every one of you played in the results of this year’s inspection. Everyone gets four hours off with pay, too, at any time you want. Be sure to ask Rita a week ahead so she can schedule accordingly. But don’t all decide on this Friday, please.”
    Laughter broke out, and a subdued cheer.
    “Are there any questions?” No one said anything. “Okay, back to work, then.”
    The loudspeaker blared, “Aerobics in the dining room in fifteen minutes.” Wanda repeated the announcement as Alice went toward the 300 hall, Joyce rushing ahead to answer a call light.
    An old man in a plaid robe leaned heavily on the handrail as he shuffled past. A gray-haired woman in a wheelchair blocked Alice’s path until the old man got by. A short woman in heels and a blue suit said, “Good morning,” as she passed Alice, going the opposite direction. Alice returned her greeting shyly, remembering Joyce had pointed out the woman yesterday as Katherine, the administrator.
    She heard a woman cry, “Help me! Help me!”
    “Just shut up,” a hushed voice hissed. Alice stopped and peeked inside the resident’s room. “You have to stop that yelling, I tell you. We’ll have to tie you to the chair again if you don’t.”
    Nancy’s back was to Alice, her hands on hips. An old woman cowered in her wheelchair, her mouth slack, her brown eyes darting around the room, not meeting Nancy’s eyes.
    “Please,” she pleaded.
    Nancy grabbed the chair and whipped it around toward the bathroom. “I’ll take you now. But next time you wait and don’t do all that yelling.”
    The woman bowed her head, her shoulders shaking. Alice guessed she was crying. Alice’s stomach muscles clenched. A sick feeling overcame her as she went quickly down the hall. She felt betrayed. Nancy had seemed pretty nice the first day of work, as if she really cared.
    “Hey,” Joyce said. “I was looking for you. You all right?” Her soft brown eyes searched at Alice’s face with concern.
    “I’m fine,” Alice said. “What do I do now?” She remembered the video she’d seen her first day about resident rights. It had mentioned verbal abuse. Wasn’t that what Nancy had been doing? She should report it to Betty, but she didn’t want to see the director of nurses for a while, especially privately.
    Alice made herself listen to Joyce. “We need to refresh all the water pitchers and offer juice.”
    Lettie came around a corner. “Do you know me?”
    Alice couldn’t help smiling. “Yes, Lettie,” she said at the same time Joyce did.
    “I like you,” Lettie said.
    Oh , she thought, what if Nancy was mean to Lettie? She said, “I like you, too, Lettie. Very much.”
    Lettie smiled and nodded, then hurried off down the hall as if she had something important to do.
    Alice and Joyce exchanged grins, then went to hand out water and juice.
    Brenda was conferring with a family and resident in room 326 when Alice entered. The social services director