The B Word.Chapter 28Best Wishes

Its been a week since the shooting and kidnapping attempt.
Maria is sick of the hospital she wants to leaveand she is trying everything to get out of there.
Alana thinks that Maria should come home with her
Helena is firing one attorney after anotherHer face has been plastered all over the news. Her mother is trying to get Bette to tell the police it was just a miss understanding.
She has even offered money to the family.

Maria.you can not bounce that basketball in the hospital room! The older nurse said.
Then sign my papers so I can go home! Maria fusses.
Bounce Bounce Whoop:.the ball takes a wild bounce knocking over her breakfast tray.Thats it! The elderly nurse screamsand runs out of the room with the basketball.
She is crazySomeone else go in there! The elderly nurse screams.
Tina is coming around the corner with Anna Bella.she sees the nurse as lost her patients with Maria.Rough Day? Tina asks her.
Rough would be a good day! The nurse replies She told physical therapy they should do the stupid exercises themselves.
Im sorryI will try to talk to her. Tina says
Just then you saw the. aide come out of the roomWell let her starve then!
She refused to eat.! The lady said. She flushed her breakfast down the toilet.!

Maria what are you doing? Tina asked
Im trying to get out of here TinaI hate this place I want to go home..Please can you take me home. Maria wined.
Maria I know how you feel but I cant take you home until we get clearance from Dr. Casey. Tina smurksand nods her head Why didnt you want to do therapy?

I am not doing therapy with some dork who just hands me the paper and points to the exercises I should doThen they talk on the phone. Maria complains.

Doctor Casey and some interns come into the room carrying clipboards.
Hi Tina.. The doctor says as he smiles at the baby.

So Maria the nurse said you are refusing to eat or go to physical therapy? Whats going on? Dr. Casey inquires

The food is horrible and I refuse to do therapy with someone who is on the phone instead of telling me what to do.. Maria fusses

Dr. Casey is looking over Marias blood work and x-rays..He then changes the bandagesand inspects the woundsThese are looking really good Maria
How is the pain Maria? Dr. Casey asks her.

Oh DocShe will lie so be careful. Tina said.
The pain is very manageable. Maria saysPlease Doctor Casey can you send me home..I promise to do everything you tell me to.I will even help Tina with the laundry.

Tina laughs..
Dr. Casey.looks at his interns and asks there opinions..
Well I think sending her to a nursing home to recover. One said.
The other was keeping her here for another month. A young girl said.
I think if she got to go home she would be more productive and relaxed. Jimmy said.

You know that is exactly what I was thinking.. Dr. Casey said as she patted Jimmy on the back. A patient will recover better at home in some cases.
Thanks Doc. Maria states with a smile.

Maria we will have a nurse come out to the house to change the bandage every other day for a week. Dr. Casey stated.:I am going to let you leave todayif that is ok with Tina and Bette.

Its fine with usWe cant wait to get her home. Tina replies as she smiles at Maria.

Alana walks into the roomShe is going home today? She looks very surprised.
Tina I think Im going to move Maria in with meSo I can take care of her. Alana
states.
Maria and Tina look at her in shock..No one had discussed that option.
Alana I dont want to sound rude but I think Maria sees her home is at our house
besides Im on maternity leave for another five weeks. So I can keep her in line.
Tina states trying not to hurt Alanas feelings but getting her point across.

ButI want to make this time up to her..I want to be there for her. Alana states.
Mom, I dont want to be mean but I have a home with Bette and TinaI love it thereIt doesnt mean I dont love youBesides I love being around the baby it helps me take my mind off of my problems.

Alana looks dejected. She says I have some rounds to make around the hospitalI will be back later.

Mean while at the CAC..Bette and James were directing the movers where to place the Chully pieces.
Franklin came in.This is going to be an awesome exhibit. The phone hasnt stopped ring since the announcement about the exhibit.

Bette there is a call for you.James tells her.
Hello Bette Porter! Bette states as she is motioning with her hands what should be done.
Maria is coming home todayHoney..isnt that exciting news? Tina stated.
Yes that is marvelous. I just dont think I can leave to bring her home? Bette responded.
We just had a huge shipment arrive for the exhibit we have to unpack it. Bette states
Honey I can take her home.. Tina says
Tina if you dont mind that would be awesomeI already heard that she was terrorizing the nurses. Bette said.
Ok well we will all see you when you get home. Tina says Love ya
I love you too Bette says as she hangs up the phone.

Two young assemblers for the exhibit come walking into her office.
Hi Bette? The tomboyish one asks as she reaches out shake Bettes hand.
Pamela.this is Toni. The other girl reaches for Bette hand.
Nice to meet youWelcome to the CACHow was your flight from Miami?
Bette asked.
It was long but uneventfulThank you. Pamela comments
Any problems checking in at the hotel? Bette inquired.
Bette takes notice of Tonis overwhelming beauty and charm.
No the hotel is very nice..Its nice not to have the humidity like we have at home.
Toni jokes.

Can I get you guys anything to drink? Bette asks them
Im fine we are just anxious to help get the stuff unpacked and inventoried Toni comments
Well follow me. Bette leads them to the area where the display is going to be placed.
Toni is checking out Bette the entire walk to the area they are headed.
So what are some things to do here while we are town for two weeks? Angela inquires.
OhI can have James get you some brochures and event calendars.. Bette comments
But pride wise.you know? Toni askswithout coming out and saying it.
Oh well my older sister owns a club hereYou will have to stop there..She also has live music. Bette responds.
Toni starts to flirt with BetteBette isnt paying attention to her, her goal is to get everything done so she can get home to her family.

Alice and Dana come up to the hospital to help Tina take Maria home.
Well that is the last of the paper workYour free to goWe just have to have you
escorted in a wheel chair. The nurse says as she looks at Tina for help

She will ride in the wheelchair like she is suppose to! Tina commented looking at Maria sternly..Wont you Maria.

Maria is scared to argue with Tina for two reasons :
1. She may not take her home.
2. She will tell Bette who will give her the two hour big sister speech.
Yes Maria says.

The orderly loads Maria into the wheelchair.
If you want to go ahead and bring the car around..We can meet you down stairs.
The orderly tells Tina.
T”I will go down with MariaWhile you and Dana go out to the cars Alice states.

Meanwhile back at the CAC.
Well would you like to have dinner with us Bette? Toni asks Bette as she keeps getting closer and closer to her. Touching her arm
UmReally I cant my sister is coming home from the hospital today. Bette explains.
So I really need to get home.

Well after you get your sister settled you could meet us for drinks at the hotel. Toni
says seductively.

You know Im flattered that you would like to spend time with meHowever. I have a wife and daughter at homealong with my sister. Bette says as she gets back to unpacking the last box.

ToniCouldnt believe she just got turned down
She thinks to herself.This is going to be a tough one.
Ok well I guess its your lossToni says
Yeahome with the family or drinks with the wild girls from Miami. Pamela states.
They finish unpacking the last box..Bette has been extremely quiet.She thinks to herselfI will not mess up like I did last time. However Toni is fine

Well I guess we can call it an eveningBette statesLook I have to run but James can help you with anything you need.

Bette goes to her office and gathers her stuffShe calls Tina..
Hey babeWhen are you coming home? Tina asks.
I am heading out the door right nowIs there anything you would like me to bring home? Bette asks

Just your ***** butt Tina says seductively.
Its on its way. Bette comments with a smile.

Alice, Dana, Dominic, Joseph, Frank, Geno, Shane, Carmen, and Jenny are all at Bette and Tinas for a spur of the moment cook out..

Everyone is celebrating that Maria got to come home from the hospital.

Dana, Alice, Geno, Frank, Carmen, Jenny, are swimming.

Tina, Maria, and Joseph are sitting on the side of the pool.
Maria has a sling on her left arm.I am so thrilled to be home! I thought I would never get out of that place.
Yea but you were only there for 5 daysthat is a short stay for what you went through
Joseph stated.
You know the nurses probably paid the doctor of too let you leave earlyKid you were terrorizing them! Tina said as she laughed.
Yes well that was the planThe one nurse was evil! Maria commented

So Joseph I heard you have being do auditions for a comedy show coming up?
How are they going? Maria asks

Really that is awesomewhere did you get your leads? Tina asked
Oh an old friend from Cleveland..She has been helping me. Joseph refuses to tell who it was..
Dominic gets out of the pool and dries off.He goes into the house and brings out an
envelope. Maria He hands it to her. Here is a little something to help you out until you are able to get back to work Dominic states..
I cant take this Dad! Maria states as she is overwhelmed by the amount of the check
Look one of my clients signed a huge deal with a team and he got an enormous endorsement contract. Dominic tells his daughter as he goes over to get something to eat.
There is a knock at the doorMaria hears it and goes to let the person into the house.
It is a tall gentleman in a delivery uniform he says I have a delivery for Maria Milo?
I am Maria Milo.Maria responds
Could you sign here? The gentleman asks her.
She signs, he gives her the letter, and he leaves

TBC.