Dream a Little Dream

Chapter 42

Epiphany Johnson's hands trembled as she buttoned the jacket on her Sunday suit – the only good clothes she had now.

Bobbie Spencer had called her yesterday afternoon to ask that she come in to interview for a nursing job at General Hospital. Epiphany was surprised at first – she was just accepting the fact that her family's home in New Orleans was likely destroyed. With that acceptance came worry over the future – both immediate and long-term. She worried over where they'd live – they couldn't live over Vagabond forever, on the Spencers' dime. But there was no telling when they could return to New Orleans. And until then, bills had to be paid, food and medicines needed to be bought. Then there was the long-term future – even if insurance came through, they'd still need money to rebuild before they could go back.

Epiphany was also worried that this was a charity offer. She knew she was a good nurse, but questioned Bobbie's motives for the interview. If it was clear there was a job only to make room for her, she'd probably be resented. But, how could she turn down income? Her parents' needed to establish their new address in order to get their Social Security and pension checks. Stan was unemployed. They needed money – what was left of the money Luke Spencer and Epiphany's sister, Pearl, had sent to get them out of New Orleans wouldn't last long.

She gave one last look in the mirror before going out into the living room. Celeste was loading the breakfast dishes into the dishwasher. Wayne and Stan reading the morning Port Charles Herald that Lucky Spencer had thoughtfully arranged to be delivered. Wayne was reading the national news – still dominated by the devastation in their hometown – while Stan perused the want ads.

“Do I look okay?” Epiphany appealed to her family. Stan smiled.

“You look good, Mama,” he said.

“Very ... professional,” Wayne said.

“You're fine, honey,” Celeste said. “You have your diploma and papers to prove your credentials?”

Epiphany held up a manila envelope. “Right here, Mama,” she said. Celeste nodded.

“Then go knock 'em dead,” she said. “You've got nothing to worry about. You're qualified for this hospital, no matter what the circumstances. Don't forget how well you did in nursing school, or how hard you've worked in the past. You've earned this opportunity.”

Epiphany smiled softly. “Thanks, Mama,” she said. “Well, I'm off. See you sometime later.”

She waved the envelope and walked out the door.

* * *

“I don't see why I can't just stay here,” Brooke Ashton pouted.

“Forget it, Brooke,” her father, Ned, said as he quickly packed his shaving bag into a duffel.

“But why?” Brooke persisted. “It's the last weekend before school starts – I was just going to lounge around here this weekend, go swimming and stuff.”

Ned rummaged through his bureau drawers for socks and underclothes. “You won't be able to lounge by the pool, because the grounds staff will be getting everything ready for the cookout Monday,” he said. “Besides, your mom is in town this weekend. She's been traveling so much this summer with L&B artists on tour, she's hardly seen you since the Nurses' Ball. I think she's looking forward to some girl time.”

Brooke shrugged. “Yeah, I've missed her, too,” she said.

“Besides,” Ned continued as he folded shirts and pants. “If you stayed here, your grandmother would be watching you like a hawk and would consider my absence open season to comment on anything and everything.”

“Okay, that settles it!” Brooke said with a laugh. “How long will you be gone?”

“Probably until Sunday sometime,” Ned said. “We're flying into New Orleans today to supervise the deliveries. Then I'm going on to Houston to oversee the delivery to the Astrodome.”

Brooke looked thoughtful. “I'm really proud of what you're doing, Dad,” she said. “Watching the TV ... it makes me feel grateful for what I have. Not the fancy stuff, but just having a place to call home and people around me, you know?”

Ned leaned over, brushed back her hair and kissed her forehead. “That's my girl,” he said. He turned around and picked up his duffel. “Well, I'm off. The ELQ jet's waiting. Your mom's expecting you this afternoon. Don't be late, or she'll send out Tracy as a search party.”

“Got it,” Brooke said. “I'd say 'have a good trip,' but it doesn't seem appropriate.”

“I know what you mean, Honey,” he said. “I'll see you Sunday. If plans change, I'll give you a call.”

* * *

Lucas Jones lay on his bed. He tried to stay cool, but excitement was rushing through his veins. He'd e-mailed Brandon Chambliss the night before, saying his mother would be out this morning. Brandon promised he'd call.

As he waited, Lucas looked over his course schedule for Port Charles University this fall. Since he didn't declare a major, he focused on what the school called the core curriculum – the liberal arts foundation that all students had to complete. He'd signed up for calculus, Spanish, introductory sociology, English composition (required for all students), introductory earth science and swimming. I should have some idea of a major after my sophomore year, Lucas thought. It'll be good to get a lot of the core stuff out of the way.

Lucas had felt excited at registration in spite of himself. As much as he hated to admit it, maybe it was not seeing his friends that made it exciting. He knew that Dillon, Maxie, Diego and TJ would probably make social plans that involved him. It was nice, but he was also looking to make new friends. The biggest challenge would be staying in the closet.

The phone rang. Lucas felt like his heart was going to jump out of his chest. He picked up the receiver with a shaking hand.

“Hello?”

“Hi,” Brandon said. “How are you?”

“Doing amazing right now,” Lucas said.

“You free to talk?” Brandon asked.

“Yep, my mom had to go in to work, so I have the place to myself,” Lucas said. “You?”

“I'm settled in at the dorm,” Brandon said. “My roommate won't get here until Sunday.”

“Don't know who he is, but I'm already jealous of him,” Lucas said.

“I don't care if he looks like the last five Sexiest Men Alive rolled into one, he couldn't hold a candle to you,” Brandon said.

Tears came to Lucas' eyes. “Damn, Brandon, I miss you so much already,” he said.

“I miss you, too,” Brandon said in a husky voice. There was a silent moment, and then they both laughed.

“Boy, we're going to be a mess by Columbus Day if we keep this up,” Brandon said.

“Okay, deep breath,” Lucas said. “So, when can we see each other?”

“I don't know, Lucas,” Brandon said. “I arranged my courses so I'm done at noon on Fridays. So maybe we could meet in the Berkshires or something. But what about on your end?”

“I'm done around two on Fridays,” Lucas said.

“I mean, how will you handle it with your parents?” Brandon said. “Look, I don't know your folks, so I can't say one-hundred percent whether it's right or wrong for you to stay in the closet. That's your call. But you're living at home – can you get away for a weekend?”

“Sure,” Lucas said. “I'll come up with something. My dad'll be no problem. Hopefully, my mom's boyfriend comes back soon from his business trip and can distract her.”

Brandon laughed. “I like the way you think,” he said. “Anyway, the Berkshires are probably the best bet. It's an easy drive for me, and you can take the train out. I can pick you up in Albany. We could even go to Vermont if you want to watch the leaves change. I know some good gay-friendly B&Bs.”

“And how would you know about them?” Lucas asked.

“Because I'm out,” Brandon said. “We compare notes.”

“Oh,” Lucas said faintly.

“Isn't there anyone you can talk to there, a group you can join?” Brandon said. “I hate to think of you being alone with this, Lucas.”

Lucas choked back tears.

“There isn't,” he said. “My friends, their parents are friends with my parents. I just don't know who I can trust.”

“What about your cousins?”

“I don't know,” Lucas said. “Maybe Georgie. But if she told her boyfriend ... Dillon's one of my best friends. And Georgie's mom and my mom are best friends. I can't take that chance, Brandon. Not yet.”

“As I said, Lucas, it's your call,” Brandon said. “But you're not all alone – we'll be talking a lot. Once you start school and your mom starts her new job, we'll have lots of chances to talk. And we can e-mail and IM.”

“It's great, but it's not the same as ... well, you know,” Lucas said.

“Definitely not the same, but it'll do for now,” Brandon said. “Look, I'll scout up some possibilities for a weekend visit maybe end of this month or early October. We can hold out until then.”

“Barely,” Lucas said, laughing.

* * *

Epiphany felt her breath getting short as she walked into General Hospital. What a nice facility, she thought.

She walked up to the nurses' station.

“May I help you?” Elizabeth Webber asked.

“Good morning,” Epiphany said. “I'm here to see Bobbie Spencer. I have an appointment. My name is Epiphany Johnson.”

Elizabeth started as she remembered hearing that name before.

“Are you Lucky's friend?” she asked. Epiphany smiled.

“Yes, I've known the Spencers a long time,” she said. Elizabeth broke into a wide smile.

“It's so nice to meet you,” she said, extending her hand. “I'm Elizabeth Webber. Lucky and I dated a long time ago, and he told me all about you and your family.”

Epiphany took her hand. “And I heard a lot of nice things about you,” she replied. Just then, Bobbie approached.

“Hi, Epiphany!” Bobbie said. “I see you're already making friends among the staff. Come on, we'll go upstairs and talk.”

“Good to meet you,” Elizabeth called after her. “Hope to see you again soon.”

Epiphany waved back as Bobbie led her to the elevator.

* * *

“Welcome back, Cameron,” Marcus Taggert said. “How was your trip?”

“Great,” Cameron Lewis said as Marcus settled into a chair in Cameron's office for their regular counseling session. “Two weeks of doing next to nothing was just what the doctor ordered, if you'll pardon the pun.”

Marcus laughed. “I can't remember the last time I had that chunk of time off,” he said. “I usually take my vacations in bits and pieces – long weekends and stuff. And I never take it all.”

“You're entitled to the time, it's interesting you don't take it,” Cameron said.

“There's always something going on at work,” Marcus said. “Either a case, or testifying in court.”

“Mmmm-hmmm,” Cameron said, looking keenly at Marcus.

“What?” Marcus asked, raising an eyebrow.

“It's a pattern I've noticed in you,” Cameron said. “You take care of everything and everyone around you except yourself.”

“I do what I have to do,” Marcus said.

“Why is it always up to you to do things?”

“What do you want me to do, Cameron?” Marcus demanded. “Neglect my work, my family, to run off to a beach somewhere?”

“What would happen if you did?” Cameron asked. “Would the world fall apart if you planned and took a vacation and weren't around for a week or two?”

“I have responsibilities!” Marcus exclaimed. “My mom, Gia, my work. A man just doesn't drop his responsibilities!”

“Tell me about that, Marcus,” Cameron said. “What does being a man mean to you?”

“A man means you take care of things!” Marcus cried. “Being a man is about taking care of your family, and doing your job, and doing the right thing.”

“That's it?”

“What else is there?” Marcus asked.

“You,” Cameron said. “What about you? What do you want? I asked Zander the same questions when we were in Maine and he wasn't sure about what to do with himself without Emily.”

“That's totally different!” Marcus said.

“True, the circumstances are different,” Cameron said. “But you've both lost sight of yourselves in other people and things. So, tell me, Marcus, what do you want out of life?”

“I want to take care of my family, to do my job well and protect the people of this city,” Marcus said.

“Nothing else? No wife, no children, no fun?”

“If that comes along, great,” Marcus said. “But I have responsibilities that come first.”

“Your responsibilities, as you call them, sound like a huge smokescreen,” Cameron said bluntly.

Marcus stared at him, furrowing his brow.

* * *

Celeste answered the knock on the door.

“Good morning, Dillon,” she said, waving him in. “How are you? What brings you down here today?”

“Hi, everyone,” Dillon said. “Actually, I'm here for a couple of reasons. I guess your mom's still at her interview, Stan?”

“She left a while ago,” Stan said. “I'm not sure when she'll be back. Have a seat.”

Dillon sat down. “Thanks,” he said. “Anyway, the first reason I'm here is to invite you all to my family's Labor Day cookout on Monday. The Spencers are coming, and Georgie and her family, and TJ, so you'll know people there.”

“Oh!” Celeste said. “That's so nice, Dillon, thank you!”

“There'll be a bunch of people from the hospital there, too,” Dillon said. “If all goes well today, Alan said, Epiphany will be able to meet some of her new co-workers.”

“Who's ... Alan?” Wayne asked.

“Alan's my uncle,” Dillon said. “My mom's brother. He's the chief of staff over at General Hospital. He's one of the people interviewing Epiphany today along with Bobbie Spencer. Anyway, it's a pretty casual party. Most people just wear shorts, khakis, things like that. If you have a bathing suit, Stan, bring it. We have a pool.”

“It'll be good to get out,” Stan said. “I haven't left much since we got here – watching TV, looking online. It gets depressing.”

“It'll be fun,” Dillon said. “There'll be a lot of young people; Lucky knows 'em all. Anyway, the other reason I'm here is to ask your street address back in New Orleans.”

Celeste gave it. “Why?” she asked.

“My brother Ned's going down there,” Dillon explained. “The company he runs with my cousin AJ, ELQ, is shipping medical and other basic supplies down to New Orleans and the Astrodome. Carly – Bobbie's daughter, she's married to AJ – suggested Ned try and check on your home while he's there. Ned said he can't make any promises, but he'll see what he can do.”

“That's ... good of ... him,” Wayne said.

“There's something else,” Stan said, grabbing a notepad from the counter and scribbling. “My best friend, Marcellus, and his parents stayed through the storm as far as we know. Here's their names and address. If your brother can find out anything ... I haven't heard from him yet and I'm getting worried.”

Dillon took the paper from Stan. “Sure, Ned'd be glad to help if he can,” he said. “I'll go call him now before he gets into New Orleans. If his phone's not on, I'll just leave a message with the information.”

“Thanks, Dillon,” Stan said.

“I better go call him,” Dillon said. “Anyhow, the cookout's Monday at two. You can either get directions from Mrs. Spencer or she can follow you over.”

“We'll do that,” Celeste said. “Thank you again, Dillon.”

* * *

“Excuse the mess,” Bobbie said. “I don't actually start as nursing director until Monday so I haven't had a chance to set up the office. Have a seat.”

Epiphany looked across the desk and smiled at Bobbie.

“You didn't have to come in today just for me,” she said.

“I wanted to,” Bobbie said. “If it works out, we can get you in here sooner. Now, what records do you have?”

Epiphany handed Bobbie the manila envelope. “I photocopied everything at Vagabond last night,” she said. “It's my nursing school transcript, copy of my degree, and tax receipts for the last ten years showing where I worked. I also have my nursing license in there.”

Bobbie looked everything over. “We'll have to make arrangements for you to get a license here in New York,” Bobbie said. “The closest testing place is in Syracuse, but that's not too far a drive. Stan can get you directions.”

“What can I tell you about what I've done?” Epiphany asked.

“We'll hold that until Alan gets here,” Bobbie said. “Let's get you acquainted with General Hospital ...”

For the next 20 minutes, they chatted about scheduling, duties and personnel. Then came a knock at the door and Alan Quartermaine walked in.

“It's good to meet you, Ms. Johnson,” he said, shaking Epiphany's hand. “I'm Alan Quartermaine, the chief of staff. Dillon's told me a lot about you and your family.”

“It's good to meet you, Dr. Quartermaine, and thank you so much for taking the time to do this,” Epiphany said.

“I'm glad to do it,” Alan said. “Any opportunity we have to bring quality nurses here, we have to take.”

Alan quizzed her on her credentials, and nursing experience. Epiphany told him of working in many departments, from the emergency room to geriatrics to pediatrics. Lesley had already filled him in on some of it, having observed Epiphany work when she was in New Orleans for a convention.

“I think things look good, Ms. Johnson,” Alan said. “The only obstacle is getting your state license, but once that's done I have no objections to you joining the family here at General Hospital.”

“Oh!” Epiphany gasped. She hadn't let herself believe fully that it could happen and, now that it had, it left her a little dizzy. “Thank you so much, Dr. Quartermaine! This means so much!”

Alan squeezed her hand.

“I think you'll be a good investment,” he said. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting to attend with Mr. Cassadine. Bobbie can fill you in more about the place. I hope you'll be very happy here.”

After Alan left, Epiphany looked over at Bobbie.

“Are you sure about this, Bobbie?” she asked. “I don't want to be any kind of charity case.”

Bobbie's eyes widened. “Are you kidding?” she asked. “We're always looking for qualified RNs! It's not often one falls into our lap like this.”

Any doubts Epiphany had about the job vanished.

“Now, let's make that appointment and get you a license,” Bobbie said. “If we can get you the test next week, you can start here before the end of September!”

* * *

“A smokescreen?!” Marcus demanded. “What are you talking about?”

“I think you use what you see as your responsibilities as a way to avoid the difficult issues in your life,” Cameron said.

“That's bull!”

“Really?” Cameron said. “When was the last time you went out on a date? Or had a guys' night out where you didn't talk shop?”

Marcus opened his mouth to retort, but snapped it shut. He didn't want to admit the answers to those questions.

“I thought so,” Cameron said, with a raised eyebrow and half-grin.

“I don't get you, Cameron,” Marcus said in exasperation. “What, you want me to toss aside my responsibilities and be selfish?”

“I want you to look at what you call your responsibilities,” Cameron said. “Namely, Gia.”

“What about her?”

“You still talk about her and treat her like a child,” Cameron said. “She's a grown woman with a successful career, friends and a relationship. How well can you know that woman when you treat her like she's still 13 years old?”

“Well, she acts like it,” Marcus sneered.

“That's bull and you know it,” Cameron said.

Marcus sighed.

“What I'm saying is, Marcus, it might help you to step back if you get to know Gia as an adult,” Cameron said. “Do you know what she does in her free time? What TV shows she likes? What she thinks about the world and her life so far? Don't think about her and Linc, focus on her. You may be surprised by what you learn.”

Marcus looked out the window, thinking about what Cameron said.

“It's something you learn as you get older,” Cameron said. “Your parents die, your children grow up and live their own lives. It's your siblings who are with you from beginning to end, God willing. Maybe it's time you and Gia got to know each other a little better.”

* * *

Three expectant faces greeted Epiphany as she opened the door to the apartment.

“I got it,” she said, a grin breaking out.

“Way to go, Mama!” Stan said, coming over and hugging her.

“I ... knew you ... would,” Wayne said.

“Of course she would!” Celeste said. “She's got experience, and good people to vouch for her. When do you start?”

“Not right away,” Epiphany said. “That's the bad news. I can't work until I'm licensed by New York as a nurse. I have to go to Syracuse next week for the test. If I pass, I can start then. So that means we're still on a strict budget for a while. I don't want to be taking any more handouts from Luke and Laura or Pearl. Any jobs you see in the want ads, Stan?”

“A few,” Stan said. “I've got to update my resume, then I can e-mail it to a few companies. By the way, we had company today.”

“Who?” Epiphany asked.

“Dillon Quartermaine,” Celeste said. “Such a nice boy. He invited us to his family's Labor Day cookout. Since his uncle's chief of staff, you'll meet a lot of your new co-workers there, Dillon said. The Spencers are going, so we can go with them.”

Epiphany smiled. “That'll be nice,” she said. “I'll have to call and see what we can bring.”

“Oh, and he said his brother's going down to New Orleans,” Stan continued. “We gave him our address, and Dillon said he might be able to check on the house.”

“Why's his brother going down there?”

“He's got a local business, and they're sending supplies down,” Stan said. “I think it was called ... ELQ. That's it, ELQ.”

Epiphany gasped. “ELQ?!”

“Yeah,” Wayne said. “What's the ... matter? You look ... like ... you've seen ...a ghost.”

Epiphany stared at her family.

“ELQ is one of the major pharmaceutical firms in the country!” she exclaimed. “They make your blood pressure medication, Daddy! That's Dillon's family? And Dr. Quartermaine's – my new boss? Oh, my goodness!”

She sat down at the table in shock.

“They have to live in a mansion!” Celeste said. “And we're going there?! Oh, my! What am I going to wear?”

Wayne rolled his eyes. “Just like ... a ... woman,” he said to Stan. “Always ... thinking ... about clothes.”