Woodsworth's Scoop.

Grace Nolen.

DEDICATION.

To those that gave me inspiration to write and love, To those that wrote their stories before me, To the Higher Powers that lead me, I dedicate this book with honor and love.

Mostly I dedicate this book to my Wind Whisper, who loved me even when I didn't. I love you and am blessed by you!.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

Thank you to all who stood by me and encouraged me! To my best friend and spiritual sister, Tink, you are truly more of a friend anpiritual sd loved. To Jamie, your encouragement kept me going more times than not to write. To my son, may you know that love comes in many forms. Thank you to my Wind Whisperer, your Sea G.o.ddess loves you.

Lastly, thank you to my G.o.ds and G.o.ddess, Nature Spirits, and Ancestors, I am yours and thank you for the inspiration for this work of fiction and art.

Chapter One.

I barely had time to walk in the clinic's door before my name was being yelled from down the hall. The waiting room was full, and things were busy for a Monday morning. I soon realized that Kelly Peddington, our Medical Chief Officer and my best friend, was the one that was calling me. I didn't even have time to get to my office and set things down before Kelly was going off about needing more staff to help the clinic out. She was on one of her tirades about it again, and I just hoped it was a short one this time.

"Lexi, you have to hire some more help. Everyone cannot keep up with the appointments that have been flowing in! The staff is threatening to walk if things don't ease up soon! Please, I beg of you, hire us another nurse, pract.i.tioner, or both or--even better--more!" Kelly proclaimed. I had heard this now for three weeks and was just waiting on the okay from the board. I knew they needed this, but it was out of my control.

"Kelly, soon, I promise. The board meets this Tuesday. Why not come and plead the case with me, as I cannot hire 'til they give me the go ahead. In the meantime, why don't we put another call out for volunteers?" I hoped this would satisfy her.

"Fine! Just as long as we get help! I prefer paid staff, but I will take what I can get" she huffed as she walked off to take care of helping the pract.i.tioners get caught up on the overflow. Kelly was good, but the politics of boards and getting them to do what she needed was not her strong point. She came from working in a clinic where she answered to no one and, though I was thankful for her, I sometimes just wanted to wring her neck.

I quickly got my computer up and running to get started on the packet for the board. Knowing that it was going to be a busy night and that things weren't in order, I knew it would take forever for them to get out of here before midnight. I really loved my job and the opportunities it has brought me to give back to my community, but running the only GLBT specialty primary clinic in town that helped no matter the ability to pay was a stressing and exhausting job. We had decided to open up the clinic to all people that felt the need to come here, no matter what their s.e.xuality, adding many more patients than we could cope with. I only hoped that the upcoming board meeting would hear our case for the need for staff expansion.

As I worked on the proposal to add one clerk, two nurses, and three providers, I thought about where this clinic was five years ago. We had just three of us then and a pipe dream of expanding. Kelly, Janice Sutter, and I worked day and night to get clients, find members for the board, and, of course, find somewhere to be our base of operation. We did not even have a building of our own and were not sure about anything that we were doing.

In the first year, we were booming in the heart of the GLBT community and purchased land. The second year boyea, we moved from an evening clinic that operated when Dr. Lee's clinic closed to our new building. We also added staff. Now we had a Doctor of General Medicine and a Family Nurse Pract.i.tioner, two RNs, one LVN, and three clerks. We'd gone from 250 patients to over a thousand a month. It was truly a blessing that Lambda Health Center was up running and flourishing.

My thoughts were interrupted when the phone rang with the caller ID showing Billy Haste as the culprit bringing me out of my peace. "h.e.l.lo. Lambda Health Center. Lexi here. Can I help you?" I said out of habit, knowing very well that it was the president of our board. He had been a longtime friend of mine, and the reality was I did not know if he called on pleasure or business.

"Lexi! Great! You are there! Lunch, noon, Bob's Burger Joint! No excuses!" Billy quickly spurted out.

"What do you want? Pleasure or business, Billy? I am busy getting ready for tomorrow night's meeting! I don't know if I can get away."

"Pleasure and business! I want to go over the agenda with you, and I have an RN I want you to meet as one of the candidates for the positions we are going to make open tomorrow night when the board says yes!" Billy always had a way of getting the others to jump on board to things needed once he saw the need. After the last week when his partner came in and waited an hour to be seen, Billy opened up that we needed more staff to meet the growing patient need.

"So, I will see you there, then?" he asked, snapping me back to the conversation at hand.

"Yes, I will be there!"

"Great! And just you, please! I know you will like this gal-and, Lexi, y'all just might become more too!"

Billy and I hung up, and I was able to finish up the agenda at least. I had three hours until lunch, and I was starting to wonder what Billy was up to. He was notorious for trying to set me up, saying I needed to get out more, date, and get out of the clinic. Truth was, the clinic was my love, my partner, and my life. I did not meet anyone that was not already taken that could put up with me needing to take care of business there, be alone at times, and talk mainly about the clinic and my hopes for it. No one had the pa.s.sion for it that I did, and no one understood that when you got me, you also got my mistress--the clinic! G.o.ds, I was talking about the clinic like it was a live person or something. Though, to me, it was!

Lunch hour came much too soon and, as soon as the agenda was off the printer, I sped out the door to Bob's Burgers. I got there just after twelve and saw Billy setting there chatting it up with a beautiful-beyond-measure G.o.ddess of a woman. She took my breath away, and somehow I just knew she was meant to be in my life. I never have had this feeling just seeing someone, and I also felt that this beauty would be out of my league, so I just hoped that at least I could have her in my life as an RN at the clinic.

"Over here, Lexi!" I heard as I made my way over to the table. "Lexi, meet Jennifer Scoops--the RN I was telling you about earlier," Billy quickly said.

We made quick pleasant gestures as I sat and noticed that her eyes were captivating with this golden starburst in the middle and blue on the outside. I could get lost in those eyes. "Well, Billy, you did not really say much--just that there was an RN to meet. coRN to mSo, Jennifer, tell me about yourself, Also, let me know your feelings of the GLBT community as we require our employees to be open to it since that is who we serve." I boldly stated to act as though I was not a drooling fool knocked over by her beauty.

"Where to start? Well, I guess I should let you know that I am not from this area. I am from New York State in a town called Herkimer. I have been an RN now for a little over 20 years and am 43. I just moved here to Atlanta a few months ago and met Billy at a potluck that some mutual friends were putting on. Recently, I decided to go back to work or at least volunteer somewhere, and Billy said I should talk to you. I love helping people, and your clinic sounds like one that I could really get behind and be a part of. I don't see myself as a lesbian all the way, but I am queer." Jennifer kept on talking about how much she loved nursing and had missed it over the last year. I was lost in her but at the same time thinking, s.h.i.ts! Don't fall for another bi-girl or-worse--a straight girl that just wants to play the queer card to get the job.

"Lexi, what do you think? Will she fit in?" Billy asked, bringing me to the realization that Lexi had stopped talking. I shook my head yes as the waiter walked up to get our order.

We all ordered, and Billy wasted no time talking about the strategy we should use when approaching the board. We both knew how hard of a sell it would be, as our conservative few did not think that we could afford to expand. I felt bad that Jennifer was hearing all the downside of the board right away, as they really were a dedicated group and hardworking. She seemed to not mind and even had a few ideas to help us. It was nice to have some new thoughts on the issues facing us.

"Why not get them to agree to half you wish for now and agree to add the other half in a month?" Jennifer suggested to us, and this was not a route we had thought of. I decided right then to make up two proposals in case the first one was turned down.

"Compromise is sometimes the way to go, and we can definitely prove at the next board meeting it pays for itself to bring in new staff with the financials. Lexi, what employees do you need right this minute to help ease things?" Billy questioned.

"Well, I will have to get with Kelly, but I know that she will say all since this is the list she came up with as a need of staff. And, trust me, she will not be happy till she gets all the positions filled. I also know that she cut the list down from what she was going to ask. Kelly has been hounding me every chance she gets. Don't be shocked if, this board meeting, she actually comes and states a case. We all know how she can be if she is on a mission to get something!"

"Then it is settled," Billy pointed to me and continued, "you will get Kelly to say what half is needed first and ask her to calm down some before the meeting. We will use that as a back-up if they do not go for the whole proposal. I will see what I can do before then to rally some support."

Soon the waitress appeared with our order, and I was glad to get lost in my bacon cheddar burger and fries. By this point I was famished and felt like I could inhale all three of our plates. Noticing the time and knowing that there was still so much to do at the office, I started making a mental note of items to accomplish before I left for the day. The rest of the conversation went smoothly about my favorite thing--the clinic. We told Jennifer all we had accomplished and a little about our patiently our pas. She truly seemed thrilled to hear about all the services we provided. I was amazed that not only was she beautiful, but she was also intelligent in many ways. I knew the rest of the staff would love her.

I soon finished eating, paid my check, and excused myself to leave them to their day. Billy was taking Jennifer around to some of the local art galleries and shops. I told them to stop by the clinic, and I would give her a tour. As I was about out the door, Jennifer came running up behind me, shocking me.

"Lexi, I am so glad to meet you and really want to help, even if it doesn't mean a job right now. Can I come get that tour on my own tomorrow and talk about volunteering 'til a job opens up?"

"Yes, please do. Come by about 10 a.m., and I will show you around," I spurted out like she had just asked me to go out on a date or something. She thanked me and, without thinking, I hugged her and went on out to my car. I went limp at the thrill that I just touched this amazing woman! I melted and wished that I could do that again. I stood there at the car, lit a cigarette, and thought for the first time in years that maybe--just maybe--I might want to see about a date with this beautiful lady.

The rest of the day went slow as I plowed through work. I also hoped to catch Kelly at the right moment. She was angered at the idea of half now and half in a month, but after I promised to get a drink with her after work, she agreed to think about it. And, though I managed to get things done, all I could think about was Jennifer and how I wanted to see her again.

I thought about how she described herself as queer--not a full lesbian--as I tried to work. I wondered if that would matter, if she would go out with me. I wondered if she felt the same about me, and that is why she wanted to come alone tomorrow. It was going to consume me for the rest of the day. I tried my hardest to stomp that thought out. I knew it was just business and nothing more. Yet I could not help but feel this instant connection with her and hoped that I stood a chance, even though I knew I was not even in the same playing field as her league.

Luckily, work ended, and I was so ready for that drink. I hoped that it could help me relax and put some things into perspective. When I arrived, Kelly was talking it up with the bartender and ordering our drinks. She also proved to be predictable, as she wasted no time in talking business.

"It is just not fair that we have to wait to hire someone based off a board vote. We need people and should have the ability to just make it happen." Kelly went on about it as I kept going back over lunch in my head and the starburst beauty that had captivated me. I could not help it.

It had been years since I dated after the last one turned out to be a psycho control freak that got jealous over work a.s.sociates and anyone that became part of my life. She even wanted to control when I saw my parents. I knew something was wrong when she insisted that I sell my car and wanted to sit in my office while I worked. Billy and Kelly helped me get the restraining order and get the crazy person out of my life after she threatened me and began the beatings. Jennifer has been the first person since then to pull me in, and yet it was just a business meeting.

Kelly cuffed me upside the arm, as she must have felt I was miles away in thoughts. "What's up, Woodsworth? Where are you, and what is going on in that mind of yours?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing? Really?"

"Nothing. Really. I met someone today, and she was just on my mind."

"Really? Tell me about her! This is great! I have been praying for the day that you would date again! You need someone like my Amy! You need someone to keep you in check."

"No. Nothing like that. She is an RN that we may be bringing in as a paid employee but, until then, she is coming in tomorrow to see about volunteering."

"Yet you like her! I can see it in your eyes! Go ahead and admit it! You glowed at the mention of her to me."

"I did? There is something about her that is captivating, and she has the most beautiful eyes. She is also intelligent and caring. I just don't think she plays in the same league as me."

"Are you saying you are out of hers, or she plays for the other team?"

"I don't know. She said she did not see herself as lesbian but a queer. What is that supposed to mean? Is she one of those bi girls that are a pain? Or does she just not like the label?"

"I am not sure, but I bet tomorrow you will have your answer!"

About that time, Amy showed up and did her usual greeting of kissing me on the forehead and then latching on to Kelly with kisses all over like she had not seen her in years, though they live together and parted for work only that morning. If there was ever a couple that needed a room each time they saw each other, it was this one. They barely kept their hands and lips off each other.

"What are you two gals up to? Or are you still talking shop, which is now forbidden!" Amy announced when she finally settled down enough to remember they were still in public.

"Lexi and I were just talking about a possible lady for her to date!"

"Really? Lexi, that is awesome. When are you taking her out? And, can I say, it is about time?"

"Amy, really it is nothing. I just met this RN that is going to come volunteer until the board says I can hire her. I would like to ask her out, but I am not sure she would. She is a confusing, intoxicating, brilliant, starburst beauty who I am scared I don't stand a chance with! It is nothing, and I am just dreaming."

"At least you are finally dreaming of asking someone out. It has been three years since Claire did what she did, and you need to move on and remember that not all are like her!" Amy went on and on about how I needed to date and that if this beauty knew what was best for her, she would not let me get far. All I could think was that I wished that I had never told them.

Soon it was time to head out, and we said our goodbyes. I went to my apartment and looked around at it. Nothing much was there, and I usually just avoided the place until I could not stay awake anymore. I went on to do my nightly routine and lay down.

My thoughts drifted between the board meeting and Jennifer, and part of me hoped that both would go in my favor and that, for once, the stars would align. I decided also that, ont olso tha the tour, I would find out as much as I could about her to see if there was any chance of asking her out. I just knew if there was ever a time to venture, this was it.

What do I do though if she says no or is not available or has someone? Suddenly, I was wide awake and was not sure what that would mean to me. I let my fears overtake me and finally told myself that the tour had to be about business and not my dating dreams of her. I just met her, and already she was stirring drama in my head. I must be crazy! Soon, though, the great dream weaver, Mrs. Sandwoman, had her way with me and pulled me in.

Chapter Two.

"Trey! Trey, are you home?" Jennifer bellowed as she searched for her husband and kids. She could hardly wait to tell them the exciting news. Looking at the time, she could not understand where Trey and the kids were. Finally, she looked at her lifesaver of a phone and realized that the school was having a math night. She made her way to the kitchen to unpack some more boxes and started dinner.

Trey and their three kids came home an hour later, and quickly her alone time in a quiet house was over. Her smile was radiant, and only Trey had noticed. Tracy went on and on about how eighth grade at the school was torture and how she could not wait to be at a school again without her siblings. John David kept asking what was for dinner and how soon it would be ready. Gracie ran straight for the TV, hoping to catch something on it before she was made to turn it off. The move had been hard on all of them, but it was for Trey's job. Trey went off to the back of the house on a call for work as Jennifer hoped that soon things would calm down. She was tired of living in boxes, and wanted a sense of normal to return.

"Okay, you three. Clean the table so we can eat!" Jennifer hollered over everyone and finished up the last of the tortillas. "And, Gracie, turn off the TV!"

"Oh, Mom. Please let me watch it and eat in here!" Gracie tried to argue, but Trey came along, scooted her to the table, and turned off the TV.

Once all had a plate and were seated, Jennifer tried hard to keep things as they once were and tried to resurrect some normal traditions they had. "Okay, who is going first? What exciting news happened today?" Jennifer asked as she always did each night.

"I will go first," Trey announced to the Scoop clan. "I moved into my corner office and have a window overlooking the city!"

"I want to see it dad!" John David explained while jumping up and down in his seat. His excitement overflowing.

"Trey that is wonderful! I hope that the view is beautiful!" Jennifer said while smiling at her husband who amazed her in his accomplishments.

"Daddy, will you take us soon to see it?" asked Gracie.

"Soon I will, but first I have to settle in and make sure that it is alright with my bosses for family to come by. I promise though, if anything, I will take a picture for you all to see!" 0" Trey let the family know.

"I guess I will go next," Tracy said. "I am going to try out for the basketball team." No one was shocked at this, as Tracy had played sports her whole life and some even said she was born with sneakers on and a ball in hand.

"Gracie, John David, how about you two? Anything exciting happen today?" Jennifer asked.

Both looked and thought hard, but then said no. And, finally, Trey did the deed and asked Jennifer the same question. Everyone knew by her look that she had something to tell. If there was one thing about Jennifer that stood out, it was that she could not hide her excitement well.

"I found somewhere to volunteer and maybe got a job today!" Jennifer boasted as though she had won a marathon or something. The whole table stopped eating and looked at her. When they moved there, they had decided that Jennifer was only going to take care of the house and kids. Trey made more than enough now to support everyone.

Trey ventured out and asked, "Honey? I thought we said you were not going to work." His face showed the concern in his voice as he tried to be supportive. Trey felt that Jennifer would take on too much and did not want to see her over extended with this and the kids.

"I miss being a nurse, Trey and being here, all day--well, that brings out the depression in me. Besides, the kids are in school, you are at work, and I am alone." Jennifer, still smiling at this new venture, felt the doubt and sadness creeping up in her throat as she did not want this to go away.

"Where are you going to be a nurse?" Tracy asked.

"It is a cute little clinic that is called Lambda Health Center, and it is for the GLBT community. They need people, and I need something to do during the day. I will be volunteering at first until they get the board to approve hiring some more staff." Jennifer announced as her confidence in her decision was coming back to her. The idea excited her and helped her feel like she had a purpose again and something to do with her time.

"What?" Trey asked as he tried to take in all he was being told.

"What is GLBT mom?" John David asked, puzzling the news out in his mind. He looked and they were all confused and wondering just where Jennifer was going with this. John David and Gracie had no idea what GLBT meant, and Tracy had been around long enough to know that her family was anything but traditional. Trey, on the other hand, did not know what to think of it all. This was news to him, and he did not like finding out about things the same time as the kids.

"I met a lady today too." Jennifer let out, knowing that this was skating on thin ice. She just hoped they would not burst her balloon before it was all said and done.

Before Jennifer could continue, Trey piped in, "Oh, not this again, honey. The last one nearly cost me losing you forever." He always knew when his wife announced meeting someone, that there was more to it than a co-worker or something simple. He knew that meant she was interested in this person romantically.

"It is not like that, honey. She is the executive director, and I would be working for her. Lexi is in need of people, and I am need of doing something that makes me feel better. John Doretter. Javid and Gracie, GLBT means gay, lesbian, bis.e.xual, and transgender. It is a population that is in need of people that understand them and can help them get their special health care needs met." Jennifer filled in for everyone.

The family got quiet as Tracy, Jennifer, and Trey thought on what this would mean. The two younger ones just ate and made faces at each other. No one knew if they should protest or not. Tracy's discomfort in it all was beginning to show with distaste of it all in her usually smiling face.