I let out a short laugh. "This sample may carry HIV. Blood has splattered everywhere—including on your little sweetheart's pant leg."
Charlotte's face went pale. She stumbled back two steps.
Raymond pulled her into his arms. "Who are you trying to scare? How many AIDS patients could there even be in a hospital? You're just making things hard for Charlotte on purpose."
Nurses and patients' families had already started gathering to watch.
Charlotte tugged Raymond's sleeve and said softly, "Raymond, forget it. Head Nurse Harding has always had it out for me. Don't fight with her because of me."
"I'm the best little lamb. I'm not afraid of being bullied!"
The way she said it—wronged yet restrained.
Raymond's anger flared. He pointed at my face and snarled, "Don't think you can bully people just because you're head nurse. This is workplace harassment!"
"It wasn't easy for Charlotte to test her way out of the mountains. She shows up to work every day, and you, you old hag, pick on her constantly."
I almost laughed. "Your Charlotte is 27. I skipped four grades and I'm only 25. Who's older?"
"And this is a hospital, not whatever street corner you crawl out from."