Chapter 79 Considerations.
Evelyn understood the situation immediately.
Rowan’s attitude toward Tom was all bluff.
He said he wouldn’t help, but in practice, he often agreed faster than anyone else.
Still, he could have considered Evelyn’s perspective.
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Tom turned to her. “It’s almost lunchtime. Can you go to the cafeteria and get some meat and bring them to Myrtle?”
“Myrtle?” Evelyn frowned. “What happened to her?”
Tom exhaled deeply and gave her a concise explanation.
Then he added a plea. “Can you check on her? She won’t see anyone else, but I heard you and she got along yesterday.
“Maybe you can calm her down.”
Evelyn felt the weight of responsibility pushing on her shoulders.
She had only met Myrtle yesterday, and their connection could not be stronger than anyone else’s yet.
Still, she could go.
It might not solve the problem, but it was worth a try.
Tom continued, “Evelyn, I know this is awkward. Just think of it as helping me once. Next time, dinner’s on me. Okay?”
“I’m not avoiding it. I just think this issue needs the right person to handle it. Harriet hit someone. If you were to apologize on her behalf, it’d be a passing on of responsibility. Asking me to do it for you is just taking it further. If you were in Myrtle’s place, can you really see yourself forgiving her?”
Rowan immediately interjected. “Not me, I’m sure of that. Harriet needs to apologize. And Twix, your apprentice has a temper. How could she hit someone? She’s a girl. Strength should be used to help patients, not for fighting.”
Tom’s face fell. “I tried reasoning with her, but Harriet is stubborn. I even suggested disciplinary measures.”
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“Then do it. Why wait? She doesn’t respect the internship, so why should we?” Rowan added firmly.
Evelyn understood the real issue. “Myrtle hasn’t finished her internship yet. Dr. Hayward is avoiding disciplinary action not because he’s helping Harriet, but he’s trying to avoid leaving a mark on Myrtle’s evaluation. It takes two to tango. It is true that Myrtle did mock Harriet.”
Both sides were at fault if it went further.
Tom valued talent, and Myrtle worked hard. He did not want her career to suffer.
That was why he sought Evelyn’s help.
More importantly, he trusted Evelyn’s intelligence and tact, which she had already demonstrated in the ward.
Understanding his reasoning, Evelyn agreed.
She had no sympathy for Harriet, but Myrtle was different.
Nurses had limited opportunities, given their relatively lower education.
In 1983, a mark on her record could ruin future job prospects.
Securing a hospital position was already challenging. She did not need the extra challenge.
“Dr. Hayward, I’ll help you, but on one condition,” Evelyn said.
Tom nodded at once. “Alright. Seeing as I’ve already swallowed my pride and ask for your help, doing something in return is fine. I’d never be able to face you if you wanted nothing in return. Name it. I’ll do it to the best of my abilities.”
It wasn’t really much to ask.
Evelyn leaned close and whispered in his ear.
Tom’s expression stiffened.
He lingered in silence, then clenched his jaw and gave a reluctant nod. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
Only after he agreed did Evelyn finally take the ration coupons and head toward the
cafetería,
She returned carrying a tray full of meats and vegetables, balancing it carefully as she walked
to the dorm.
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Before she reached Myrtle’s door, muffled sobs floated out.
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They were all young women. No one had ever been slapped across the face in front of everyone before. Myrtle felt crushed with shame, so devastated she even thought about taking her own life.
Evelyn waited until the crying quieted, then she knocked.
Myrtle’s voice rasped, raw from tears. “Stop it. Just leave me alone. I don’t want anyone in here.”
A second later, the door flew open with a violent kick.
Myrtle froze in shock as Evelyn walked in without a trace of emotion. She sat on the bed, pulled the small table closer, set the lunch boxes neatly in a row, and asked calmly, “You can finish your food with me, and then I’ll fix the door, or I can fix it while you eat, or I can fix it and have lunch together with you.”
Overwhelmed by her firmness, Myrtle didn’t argue. She simply chose the first option.
Evelyn immediately pulled out a fork and spoon from her pocket and placed them in Myrtle’s hand.
She said, “The bruise isn’t serious. It’ll fade in a couple of days. If you still want to work, wear a mask. If not, just take sick leave. Either way, I’ll make sure you get your meals.”
Unlike the usual soft words people offered, Evelyn’s bluntness didn’t push Myrtle away.
Holding the fork tightly, Myrtle hesitated before asking in a whisper, “Is everyone talking about me?”
Perhaps they were mocking her weakness. Perhaps they were saying she let Harriet slap her without fighting back. Maybe they were calling her a coward.
Evelyn didn’t answer directly. She only said, “If anyone tries to mock you, I’ll handle them the same way I handled that door.”
“No, don’t.” Myrtle’s panic cut through her tears. “You’ll get written up. Dr. Schmidt, you’re still just an intern. You can’t risk that. It’ll ruin your chance of getting hired full–time.”
“That applies to you too.” Evelyn pushed the point where she wanted.
Myrtle stiffened, then forced a bitter smile. “Yeah. Pathetic, right? Just because I didn’t want to risk my future here, I couldn’t even speak up.”
So she could only cry in this tiny dorm room.
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Evelyn stood, leaned forward, and pulled her into a firm embrace. The faint scent of clinging to her clothes gave Myrtle a fragile courage.
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“It’s not cowardice. It’s reason. You know how much this job means to you. Harriet doesn’t. That’s why she thought she could hit you.”
“You’re right. She’s from Kingstead. I heard her grades were so low she couldn’t get into a decent college, so she ended up at some bottom–tier one. After graduation, she got dumped here. She looks down on us and this place. A full–time job here means nothing to her.”
Some people would easily throw away what others fight to hold on to.
“She’ll pay for that arrogance eventually. Just not today. Do you understand?” Evelyn lifted her eyes and asked softly.
