40. The Truth Will Set You Free—Maybe

Sage

L ena came running up to Sage’s table in the cafeteria. “There you are,” Sage replied, taking a bite of her banana. “I was beginning to think you were skipping lunch.”

“Sorry I’m late,” she said. “But look. I just got the last signature we need. With the paperwork signed, we are officially a union, and we can decide what we’re going to do to make a difference in this hospital. I can hardly believe that it’s finally happening.”

Sage grabbed the clipboard and looked at it. She shook her head. “You did it.”

Lena shook her head. “We did it. In fact, I would say Stassi had a part in this. Perhaps even a bigger part.”

Sage frowned. “How do you mean?”

“Well, I noticed that she was socializing with everyone at the gala. And many of these names came from that night. So, I can’t deny the fact that there’s a pretty good chance it came from her influence.” She shrugged. “But, however it happened, I’m relieved. I was beginning to think we would never see this day.”

Sage set the list down. “And I would say it’s none too soon because I’m hearing more talks about more benefits being pulled.” Sage groaned. “I’m ready to really kick this into high gear, so we can truly make a difference here.”

“Do you mean that?” Sage looked up as Linda approached their table. Her cheeks were splotchy, and her eyes were red. She had a balled-up tissue in her hand and dabbed her eyes, just before another tear released. “My daughter is having a baby. She’s having this baby alone and she lives in Texas, and I thought I could take FMLA and get away for a little while once the baby is born.” She sniffed, then continued. “I was just informed that I’m no longer eligible for FMLA. I have no vacation time, so that’s out of the question. And beginning next month, my 401K is losing some more money because the greedy SOBs can’t find anyone else to pester, I guess.” She slumped down in the seat next to Sage. Sage put her hand on her shoulder and looked across to Lena.

Lena shook her head. “It’s not right and if we don’t do something now, then I think this whole place is going to crumble, and we’ll all be left under the rubble.

“Well, we could send out a mass email that says starting tomorrow morning, we’re going on strike.”

Linda’s eyes widened. “Could we really?”

Sage swallowed the lump in her throat, from just saying the words. It wasn’t going to be easy but change rarely was. “Lena, meet me at my place tonight. We’ll make signs and tell all those who are ready to make a difference to be here tomorrow morning at six.”

Lena grinned and turned to Linda. “Sage is right. Nothing is going to work if they don’t see that we’re serious about this. We’ll get everyone involved, and together we will make a difference.”

Sage felt hopeful walking back to work, knowing it’d be a while until she was back helping the patients. They might suffer, but there were other facilities that could give them the care they needed. And if things went according to plan, this wouldn’t be forever. She caught Stassi coming out of the records room, and she walked up to her.

“So, be at my place when you get off work.”

Stassi nodded. “I usually am.” She released a soft laugh.

Sage grinned. “True, but tonight is a bit different. Lena just got all the signatures we need, and we’re putting together a picket line. As of tomorrow morning, we’re going on strike.”

Stassi stared at her. Sage couldn’t read her expression, but it didn’t feel like it was filled with excitement. Mostly uncertainty. “Are you sure?” she asked.

Sage laughed. “Of course. It’s what we’ve been working our asses off for.”

“I know, but the patients. Won’t they suffer?” Stassi fidgeted from one foot to the other. Sage would have some consoling to do when it came to Stassi and her fears, but she would make her see that no one would suffer from this. They would all benefit, and the greater good would reign victorious.

“It’s all going to work out,” Sage replied. “You’ll see.”

Sage turned around and held up the sign that she had spent forty-five minutes on. “We demand results,” she said. “What do you think?”

Lena nodded. “I mean, nothing comes across as straight as that. It should get their attention.” Lena held up a sign, and Sage read it out loud.

“What are you hiding?” Sage grinned. “That’s our exact point. They’re hiding something if they haven’t taken two seconds even to consider our side of things.” She slid down to the floor and reached for another sign. She grabbed the gold sparkling glitter and began to outline another poster.

To the right of her, Stassi sat there. She had the same sign in front of her, which she had when they first started. She glanced over Stassi’s shoulder and heaved a sigh. Not one word had been spread across it. Perhaps she was just in thought over the perfect sign. Not everyone could have the words pouring out of them.

Sage glanced at Lena, who was back to making another poster. “The email blast was out there, right?” Sage asked.

“Yep. Sent it to all departments, leaving out the head honchos, of course. We better have a hundred of these babies ready to go.” She giggled and shrugged. “Of course, we could just have lots of megaphones so those that don’t have a sign are chanting, or something.”

“I wonder how many will show up? We have to be realistic and realize that it’s possible that some people may be more comfortable to come on day three or day four.”

Lena shrugged, looked down at her cardboard sign, then looked back up and frowned. “I wonder how long we’ll have to picket.”

“As long as it takes,” Sage commented. She glanced around at the floor filled with blank poster board and the colors that were close by to grab and decorate. “We’re making a difference, and, for that, we should be very proud.”

Sage glanced at Stassi’s still-empty sign. She opened her mouth to inquire if maybe Stassi was just stuck. They could use the same slogan on several signs. No one would care, but Stassi turned and stared at her. Sage closed her mouth and waited.

“Are you sure you’re doing the right thing?”

“Hell yeah, we are,” Lena shot back. Sage turned and glared at her, but Lena wasn’t finished. “How could you say otherwise? Don’t you believe in fighting for a cause, goodwill, and all that shit?”

“Well, yeah, but…” Stassi shrugged and looked down at her blank board. “Guess it’s not for me to say. After all, I have no say. I haven’t even signed the list.” Stassi grabbed a marker and leaned forward, while Sage stared at her.

“That’s another thing…” Lena began.

“Drop it!” Sage mouthed, glaring in Lena’s direction. Lena closed her mouth and nothing more was said. They only stopped a few times to proudly show off their signs. Even Stassi had finished off two before the boards were completely done. It was two in the morning, and Sage felt like she could go all night. She was on her second wind and not ready for it to fall back down.

“Morning is going to get here pretty soon,” Lena commented, standing up. She looked over the piles that were scattered across the floor. “What should we do with these?”

“I can hold onto them. I’ll load them up in my vehicle and meet you at the front doors.” Lena nodded, trying to hold back a yawn, but it broke through. Sage laughed. “I was just thinking that I could go a few more hours, and here you are yawning.”

Lena shrugged. “Guess I worked harder than you.” She gave a wink and glanced over to Stassi. When Stassi didn’t acknowledge her, she shrugged and turned back to Sage. “I’ll see you in a few hours.” She raised her hand over her shoulder to wave and then left the living room.

“I should be going, too,” Stassi mumbled.

Sage spun on her heel. “Huh? You typically stay. It’s two. Why would you go now? You have plenty of clothes for tomorrow.”

“Just feel like it’s best if I go, that’s all.” She pushed past Sage, but Sage reached out and grabbed her arm, stopping her.

“What gives? You’ve been in sort of a funk all evening, and now you’re not staying? Clearly, something has pissed you off, and I would rather we just talk about it.”

“I don’t know,” she replied. “I just don’t think tonight is a good idea, and I should just go home.”

Sage stared, but then reluctantly nodded. If that’s what Stassi wanted, then how could arguing change the result?

Sage quietly walked Stassi out of the apartment and to her car. Once they reached her car, Stassi turned and leaned back against it. “I think it’s best if we take a break,” she said.

Sage frowned. “A break?”

“Yeah, a break. We’re just so different, and maybe once the strike is over, we can look at resuming where we left off, but until then…I think it’s for the best.”

“Why?” Sage argued. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Stassi threw up her hands. “I’m doing my best to support this union business, I truly am. I just can’t support a strike. It goes against everything I believe. You want to throw a tantrum and strike, then go for it, but I don’t want any part of it.” Stassi crossed her arms in front of her and turned her head away.

“Look me in the eye and tell me that’s all it is,” Sage quietly rebuked.

Stassi turned to her, and her eyes had darkened. She flicked a tear away and shook her head. “I spoke with my father. He doesn’t think it’s a good idea. He thinks it will destroy everything, and I’m beginning to think that he’s right. Why risk it?”

Sage held up her hand. “Your father? What does your father have to do with anything? I don’t even know your father.”

“You may not know him, but I’m sure you know of him. Martin Hewitt, CEO LA County.” She shrunk back against the car. “Need I go on?”

“What the…” Sage took in the news and eventually looked down at the ground. “So, you’re the daughter of Martin Hewitt? Why didn’t you tell me?” She then held up her hand. “Forget that question. I know why you didn’t tell me. You didn’t tell me because you didn’t want me to know that he’s the one who had bad investments. You didn’t want me to know that he’s the reason you got the job?”

“It’s not like that,” Stassi argued. But it was hard denying the truth. She looked down at her feet. “He was only trying to help.”

“You had plenty of opportunity to tell me, and yet you chose not to. God! Even after us talking about trust and communication!” Sage turned around and took several steps away from her before slowly turning back around. “I fell in love with you, Stassi. That means something. But I think you’re right. We should take a break.” She turned back around and hurried away from her. She didn’t know how temporary it would be, but she knew that she needed to gain some distance. At least for a moment to catch her breath.