30 Nurse Grace

Everybody hated walking up on a Monday morning and so did Grace P. Santillan. There was no work for the last three days and she was fine waking up late. However, she needed to hurry up as the school physician informed her yesterday that they should be reporting not later than 6.30 the following morning. She stared for a long time at her beeper, wondering what the fuss was all about.

Against her will, she rose up, made her bed, took a long shower, ate a low-carb breakfast, and hurried to school. Grace was the school nurse at Subangdaku Elementary School. While her superior Dr. Jose P. Gatbunton simply delegated almost all tasks to her, Grace was untiring in giving her service to the school. It was always to her that the kids run up to whenever some medical attention was needed. They loved her, particularly that she was kind and modest. Though she moved slow, she was always precise and meticulous with her actions. She believed that there was no room for mistakes for people like her. Other than her commendable work ethics, she also looked pretty, demure, and really young at 25. Unlike her, Dr. Gatbunton was loud and careless. Despite being in his mid-40s, he looked older with his gray and untidy hair, unkempt clothes, and oversized glasses. He also always kept himself locked in the clinic office, leaving Grace to do all the chores. In fact, the students and teachers rarely saw him but they knew he was present because his old tan car was always parked by the clinic.

Grace had no issues working with Dr. Gatbunton. Subangdaku was a small rural district that there was actually not much things to do everyday, except when there were scheduled medical activities. Besides, she enjoyed the company of kids. She had no problem whatsoever dealing with children of any age, possibly because she had a number of little siblings.

Back at home, she had two little brothers and one younger sister. The girl was already in college, taking up education. Grace hoped she could graduate that school year. The older brother was a freshman in high school while the younger one was in fifth grade. Life was hard for the family and so Grace needed to contribute in the family's funds. Both her parents were engaged in small businesses whose income were not always reliable. Thus, Grace felt obligated to help, especially to her younger sister.

So despite the temptation of her bed and the cryptic message of Dr. Gatbunton, Grace arrived at the primary school with a smile on her lips and a sleepy glow in her eyes. She loved her family enough to work hard, and she loved the kids enough to work with a lively and gentle spirit.

Her watch said 6:20 and Grace sighed a relief. Dr. Gatbunton might be an airy and incautious boss but she did not want to act badly. She did not want him to comment anything not good about her. Besides, Dr. Gatbunton had already arrived in the clinic. Gently, Grace parked her bicycle beside the doctor's car and went inside the building. Oh yes, Grace drove her bike when going to work. Like most people in Subangdaku, Grace grew up wandering the streets of Subangdaku in a bike. She already relinquished her old bicyle to their youngest brother, in exchange of a new one which was more feminine in appearance.

\"Good morning, Doctor,\" Grace said upon entering the doctor's office and gave him a sweet smile. She had earlier left her things in the consultation area and hurriedly went to report to the doctor.

\"Good morning, Grace,\" Dr. Gatbunton greeted back without looking at her.

He was talking to two people before Grace entered. They did not look familiar to her and she tried to hide her wonder as best as she could. For a year working in the school clinic, the doctor only had few visitors, like some local goverment officials or loved ones, so in a way, she had already memorized their faces.

\"Do you need any help, Doc?\" she inquired.

\"Yes, we have plenty to do today. You better wash up and get dressed.\"

\"Yes, Doc,\" she replied meekly and went out of the office.

Grace could not help but wonder who the visitors were and what would they be busy with during the day. Immediately, she proceeded to the dressing room and donned her nurse's garb. She tied her hair and she looked even lovelier with her cute bun. After she was done, she went back to the doctor's office.

\"Grace,\" Dr. Gatbunton began, \"we have some people here from the local health center. Cecilia and Tara will be assisting us in giving flu shots to the kids, and possibly to the whole community if ever an outbreak happens.\"

Grace could not believe what she had heard. The school did not usually administer flu shots, though October would be best since the flu months were coming. But what was more unusual was the doctor's last words. She could not answer in shock.

\"You see, Miss Grace,\" Cecilia spoke up without being acknowledged, \"a meteor just landed here in the district. It could contain allergens and unknown substances that could trigger different ailments, particularly those affecting the respiratory system of the body.\"

\"Dr. Alvarado, the great scientist, met up with the health officials yesterday,\" Tara added. \"In the emergency meeting, he recommended to take precautionary measures to prevent possible spread of diseases caused by the meteor. The mayor agreed and we are here to assist in conducting these measures.\"

Grace recovered from her initial shock and listened to the two women. Only then she was able to size up the two. While Cecilia looked regal and authoritative, Tara was cheeky and aggressive. The former seemed to be in late thirties while the latter appeared to be at the same age with her. Both were beautiful but the older one was more restrained and proud while the younger was tactless and playful.

\"It's going to be really a big task ahead,\" Grace commented with a smile while trying to hide what was playing inside her head. \"How are we going to accomplish it?\"

The visitors discussed the process with Grace while the doctor simply listened at his seat, surreptitiously glancing at their direction from time to time as he flipped through the pages of what appeared to be a magazine or journal. After which, the women hurried to their stations and began doing their individual tasks. Before they called the children, Cecilia went out of the clinic. She took the pager from her sling bag and typed \"DONE.\"

She looked at the kids who were queued going to the clinic. She smiled a genial smile, but behind that, an evil thought lurked.