NAIVE

(MY UNFORTUNATE EMPLOYMENT AT

COLUMBIA PRESBYTERIAN MEDICAL CENTER

1991-1994)

I don’t view myself as a lamb, more like a mule. I gave new meaning to the word sucker. I was more than stupid. Where was my common sense? I was gullible and naive. I was warned by my co-worker, Nursing Attendant Sherry, to keep my business to myself. Was I do dense? I went to work every night (12mid-8am) silly and very talkative. I worked in area A Emergency Room where gunshots, stab wounds, head traumas, heart attacks, 3rd-degree burns and rape. I conversed with the nurses and the doctors, trying to learn everything I could from these elite people. I was so naive.

I worked with my partners, Nursing Attendants Marcia Norman and Carrie Martin. I had such respect for them. They were ridiculously funny. We worked like a family. I trusted them; and I asked for their advice. I let Marica take long breaks because I knew it was hard for Marcia to raise her three children. I didn’t pity her. I just wanted to assist her. Carrie, I regarded her as my mother. She would tell me her personal business; and I guarded her problems with my life. I was so naive.

I threw a birthday party for Mrs. Claudette Daily Johnson, the Nursing Care Coordinator. I was proud that she made it to the top from being a Black nursing attendant like me. I gave Nursing Attendants Paulette Williams a bouquet of tropical flowers for her birthday. I threw a birthday party for Carrie Martin, too. I also gave Marica Norman a hundred dollars for her birthday. Folks, you just do not comprehend that I cooked all the food, baked the cakes, brought the sodas and utensils, and $40 taxi ride to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. All the other departments were invited; no one was ever denied food. I was so naive.

I was happy being a student at Saint Mount Vincent College. I was most jubilant being engaged to a wonderful man: Jeovanni. He made my life so colorful. I could not stop talking about him. I conversed with all the patient reps and security officers. I thought they were my friends. I trusted them. I car-pooled with x-ray tech, Patricia Blackman, in the mornings. I paid for gas and Carrot Top breakfast; sometimes we would go to IHOP for breakfast. Marica would sometime come along. I would pay for everyone. I never wanted to take advantage of anyone. I just wanted everyone to be happy. Once, Patricia needed some money. She sought to borrow a hundred dollars from me. I suggested that I give her the amount as an early birthday present. I was so naive.