Corner Nurse Julie in her hospital bed

"Gina has a spot on her calendar later today," Clara says. "Did you have time around four?"

"I...I'll catch up with her another day, Clara," you say, hoping the warmth in your face and ears isn't as bright red as it feels.

"Okay then, Ms. Bates, sorry it didn't work out," Clara says.

"Thank you anyway. I'll probably check back tomorrow," you say.

"You're so welcome!" Clara says.

You think Clara's a little young, or maybe a little old to be wearing that thick red lipstick and heavy eye make-up, but you suppose that isn't really your call. It's not as if Clara is seeing patients or other members of the public.

You leave the hospital administration office and pause to lean against the wall, feeling the cool, smooth paint against your forehead. A couple of deep breaths and you compose yourself, slowly letting the photographic flash image of Gina Palatino's wide-open vulva, lips red and swollen with arousal, fade from your mind. You stand straight and shake your head.

On to see Julie, the nurse from your unit who just came in from a single-car accident with Cara, the candy-striper volunteer. Jill and Sadie had gossiped that the car had gone off the shoulder of a hillside road because Julie and Cara were having sex in the insecurely parked car.

The proper time to deal with this would be after things settle down a bit, but you can't wait. If Julie has something to say about a secret lesbian community inside the hospital, especially if someone is recruiting, you want to know.

You pause and look out the window and down the hill toward the center of town. If someone is recruiting, you don't know if you want to fight them, or join. You swallow, take a deep breath, and see if Julie is up to talking with you about what might have motivated her illicit affair with Cara.