Pieces of Her - Nicole

No. Not today. He promised.

Nicole is a girl who gives out pieces of herself, keeping nothing for her. She works in physical therapy as an assistant in a nursing home. She gives a piece to each patient, helping them meet their therapy goals, sneaking extra pudding cups if their diet supports it. She gives a piece to each coworker. Helping them with their jobs, their lives, cleaning up the therapy gym of all the discarded equipment that no one ever puts away.

But Paul takes the most, and gives nothing back. He ignores her, makes her feel small, uses emotional abuse and manipulation to make her feel stuck. Empty. Alone. Every fight stops the second he threatens to dump her if she doesn’t drop it. Every promise he makes he gaslights her to believe it never happened. He spends most his time drinking, hanging out with his friends, locked on his phone, treating her like another piece of furniture whenever she’s around.

Now there is so little left a gust of wind could scatter her like dust. She stopped believing in love, or happiness for herself. But there's a patient, Charlie, sweetest old guy she’s treated in ages. He had a transient ischemic attack a month ago, a baby stroke, just strong enough to weaken one side. He’s on Medicare, sent here from the hospital for physical and occupational therapy. He said his therapy goal was to get strong enough to dance again. With a dame with a big heart.

Then there’s Bhea, a long time resident now in memory care as the early stages of dementia set in. She's often lucid but occasionally confused. Nicole saw it though. The way Bhea lights up when she sees Charlie. The way Charlie’s look lingers on Bhea from across the room when he practicing his weight bearing steps. She sees the love she always dreamed of blooming.

Charlie is set to discharge tomorrow, to return home, switch to outpatient therapy, leave the facility and Bhea behind. Nicole, ever giving, sacrifices another piece of herself. She came up with an idea. A silly, stupid, romantic idea. She’d decorate the tv room with a banner, balloons, streamers, and music. Stage a “prom” so Charlie could ask Bhea to dance. Just one special moment before he goes. A chance at love in the sh