“Kyleigh, you know we’ve always been told to keep quiet about it.”
“I know, and I…I think that was wrong. It made people feel shame when it wasn’t theirs to bear. They were victims and we need to love, support, and show our understanding to them.” Like my dad did for my mom. Loved her. Protected her. Kept her secret and raised me as his own.
“And this all came to you by going to Boston?” she asked.
“Yes and no. I’ve seen commercials, and ads, all pertaining to issues that people here have faced. They don’t bury it - they offer counseling! And people actually speak out against what they’ve been through. It’s…different. Not that they are proud about their pain, but they use it as a platform to help others. I think we should do the same in Tabiq,” I said.
“And who do you think will speak openly about it? No one. And what good would it do? Nothing. It’s too late, the damage is done. Talking about it doesn’t do any good. It just makes it so you can’t move forward,” she said.
I heard her, and could see her point, but I disagreed. “If we don’t talk about it, aren’t we giving it the power to repeat itself? And holding in all the pain, doesn’t that give power to the ones who took so much from us already?”
“Kyleigh, who do you think you are going to get to help you pull this off?”
“President Florraz,” I said.
Karrol laughed. “Sure. What are you going to do, pick up the phone and tell her what you just told me?”
There was a time I’d never have even considered doing that, but now, why not? We are on the same side. She’d told me that I was valuable, and if she meant that, then I should be able to bring forth new ideas. All she can do is shoot them down.
“We are lucky to have such a strong woman in charge of Tabiq, but she can’t do it all alone. She needs our help to bring Tabiq to its full potential,” I said.
“You are starting to sound more like a politician than a nurse,” she laughed. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll be our next president.”
“Not in your life,” I said firmly. “I’m happy being a nurse, thank you.”
That was true. Now that I’d be receiving deeper training, I knew I had the career I wanted. Liam and I had talked so much last night about what we each do for a living. It was funny that we are both equally passionate about our careers.
I could listen to him talk about his work for hours, and probably did, but it was nice seeing the excitement in his eyes as he had talked about some of his favorite projects. I knew he built houses, because he built one for President Florraz. What I hadn’t known is that he didn’t work for someone else, and he actually owns his business.
Not that I didn’t miss his touch, but it was so nice seeing this different side of him. He’s so driven, just like his brother, just on different paths. He had taken a small family business that built single family homes and grew it so he has an entire crew now building huge complexes. The best part of last night was when he shared his dream with me, telling me he hadn’t even shared it with anyone else. Liam wanted to one day build skyscrapers. After being in Boston for a while, I understood why. They were magnificent to look at.
I had realized that we had one thing in common. He loved working construction and owning his business, and I loved being a nurse and caring for my patients. Unfortunately, I’ve committed myself to taking on more, and I only realized now that I’m happy where I am.
I smiled and Karrol asked, “What are you thinking about now that has that grin on your face?”
“That I am…happy.”
Karrol said, “Then I’m happy for you. But I have to get ready for work.”
“And I have to get to bed. My sleep schedule is all screwed up with this time difference,” I said.
“All the more reason you should be spending your nights with Liam. There are better ways to spend your time than video chatting with me,” she teased.
“Trust me, I know. Have a good day.”
“Have a good night.”
She ended the call and I laid back on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. I should be tired, but I wasn’t. I wonder if Liam is having the same issue.
Since I was still holding my phone, there was one way to find out. I wasn’t about to call him, but a text was simple enough.
ARE YOU AWAKE?
He replied instantly. I AM. I CAN’T SLEEP.
I giggled, and somehow that pleased me. ME EITHER. I debated if I should add anything more before hitting send. We had both serious and lighthearted fun conversations earlier when we were together, but we had avoided one topic: our attraction to each other. Should I tell him how I was really feeling? Was that too bold? Maybe I can use the words he says to me all the time.
I AM MISSING YOUR DELICIOUS KISSES.