Trouble with Mercy – Part II

In Part I of Trouble with Mercy, Nurses’ Aide Ruthie thought she had caught a, or the, thief who had been stealing mostly personal belongings from other residents in the Mercy Home for Aging Citizens. We pick up the story as Head Nurse Moody, nurses’ aide Dawn and student aide Ruthie are about to “arrest” the suspected culprit, Nell.

“Please open the door,” Head nurse Moody said, showing her pleading face to the brow, the eye and the tight-lipped mouth of Nell showing through the slightly ajar doorway of Room 320.

Reluctantly and full of suspicion, Nell opened the door and Nurse Moody, nurses’ aide Dawn, and student nurses’ aide Ruthie entered the room. They scanned everything, but all seemed to be in order.

Just then Jean from Room 319 barged in and aggressively examined everything in sight.

“What are you looking for?” Nurse Moody asked.

“My picture. She stole my picture. I saw her. I saw her coming out of my room.”

Jean lunged at Nell as Nell shouted, “My picture.” The two women scratched at each other, both screaming that the picture was hers. Nurse Moody stepped between them. “Let’s have a look, shall we?”

They scoured the room, but found nothing.

Well,” said Nurse Moody, perhaps the picture has been returned. Shall we take a look? Just to be sure.”

Nurse Moody guided Jean back to her room; Dawn ushered Nell along, and Lou “herded” them from behind with Ruthie bringing up the tail. They looked everywhere possible in Jean’s room, which didn’t take long. Room 319 was neat-as-a-pin perfect. They did not find a portrait.

“It was there,” Jean insisted, pointing to the bedside table unit. It was not. Everybody looked around the room again. Once they had scoured all surfaces and drawers for a second time, they decided to let it go for the moment.

But Ruthie, ever keen, opened the closet door and rummaged through all of its areas. “Aha!” she exclaimed, pulling a framed picture from under a pile of dirty clothing on the bottom shelf.

They were interrupted at that point when Lou, of Room 321, stepped into the room. “Did you find my portrait?” she asked. “Somebody stole my portrait.”

Ruthie held up the picture.

All three residents said, “That’s mine.”

And that’s the trouble with Mercy

In fact, it was a young Hollywood starlet from the 1940s. It had been on display in one of the hallway alcoves.

Lou became agitated. Her face twitched and she clutched her stomach with both arms.

“Are you all right Lou?” Ruthie asked.

“Leave me alone. I just want my portrait back.”

“Okay,” said Nurse Moody. “Let’s get you back into your room Lou. Dawn, take Jean and Nell to the concert area. They’re having music there in a few minutes. You love the music don’t you Nell?”

Nell nodded. Jean said, “I love the music.”

Having established peace for the moment, Nurse Moody led Lou toward her room. “Well! Glory be. They listened to me.”

“Don’t they always?” Ruthie asked.

“Oh yes. But certain circumstances. Hot heads. Now, Lou, lets check your tummy, shall we? Are you having pain there?”

Lou gave Nurse Moody that defensive, startled look that speaks of guilt. They danced around the situation for a while. Then Nurse Moody persuaded Lou to sit down. When she did, a rectangular object took shape under her sweater.

— —

To be concluded.

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