"Yes, ma'am," both said, getting out of the classroom as quickly as possible.
"So we have to sleep in the infirmary?" Grace said as they left the administration building.
"That's not the worst of it," Jan said. "I broke a rib when I was at Crestwood and they had to have a nurse stay in the infirmary the entire time I was stuck in there. Any bets Scary's gonna be our bunkmate tonight?"
"Damn," Grace said. "Please don't punish me like that."
"You? Scary dropped me twice today."
"Dropped me three times," Grace said. "Getting so I just see her coming and my body wants to hit the floor."
Carey unlocked the infirmary, reaching in to flick the light switch.
"Either of you snore?"
"No, ma'am," Grace and Jan said in unison.
"Good." Carey hefted a roll bag and stepped inside. "Bathroom is down the hall, beds are in there," she said, pointing at the large room opposite them. "You have five minutes each to get done what you need in the bathroom and then it's lights out. Go on, pick out a bunk."
"Lucky us," Grace whispered as she and Jan entered the large room that held the infirmary's beds.
"So if someone's sick, they're gonna put them in here with us?" Jan asked, pulling back the covers on a bed near the window, completely unaware that the instructor had followed them into the room.
"The beds have casters so if we have to move one into a different room, we can," Carey said, dropping her roll bag on the bed opposite Grace's. "But I'll get new mattresses up here tomorrow so it won't be an issue."
"Maybe Grenner did us a favor," Jan said. "That old mattress was lumpy as hell...uh, ma'am."
"That 'favor' will end up costing the state over two hundred dollars per bunk," Carey said, unzipping the roll bag and pulling out a pair of light blue pajamas. "That, when the two of you actually begin working, will be two hundred dollars each of your taxes being flushed down the toilet because of this foolishness. Two hundred dollars that could be used to provide food and shelter to homeless people, books to the schools, transportation and meals to the elderly, or a dozen other good things that would help people instead of being used to replace equipment destroyed for no good reason." She jerked the blanket back, revealing the stark white of the infirmary sheets. "So don't think anyone did you a favor, Bowen."
"Yes, ma'am," Jan said.
"Well, ladies? Don't just stand there, if you need the bathroom, go now," Carey said.
"I'm all set, ma'am," Jan said, crawling between the sheets.
"Me too, ma'am," Grace said. And if not, I'll hold it 'til morning.
"I'll be right back," Carey said, picking up the pajamas and a toiletries kit. "Try not to destroy the place while I’m gone."
As soon as the instructor left the room, Grace went over to Jan's bunk. "I'm going to kill Grenner for this."
"Yeah, who knows how many days it's going to take the stupid state to get new mattresses up here," Jan said. "And we're going to have to put up with Scary or Short Shit."
"This is so bogus," Grace said. "We didn't do anything wrong and we have to spend the night with Queen Bitch five feet away."
"I just hope she doesn't snore," Jan said.
"Fuck," Grace said. "That would be my luck."
"Office of General Services, how may I direct your call?"
Carey had been listening to music for so long it took a second for the words to register. "Yes, this is Joanna Carey, head instructor for Sapling Hill Youth Facility. I need to get two mattresses shipped up here right away."
"Hold please." Click.
"I've been holding," she said to the teeth-grating music.
"Purchasing. How may I direct your call?"
"This is Joanna Carey, head instructor for Sapling Hill Youth Facility. I need to get two mattresses shipped up here right away."
"Hold please." Click.
"Oh, you have got to be kidding," Carey said, leaning back in her chair.
"Purchasing, Miss Dunphy."
Carey decided to save her breath until she was sure she was talking to the right person. Are you the one I talk to about getting some supplies?"
"Where are you calling from?"
"Sapling Hill Youth Facility."
"When was the voucher submitted?"
"I haven't," Carey said. "It's an emergency order."
"You have to submit a voucher."
"How long would it take after that?"
"Miss, there are procedures that have to be followed. What facility are you calling from?"
"Sapling Hill."
"Please hold." Click.
"Argh," Carey growled.
"This is Mrs. Daniels. How can I help you?"
"Mrs. Daniels? I was just talking to a Miss Dunphy."
"I'm Miss Dunphy's supervisor. Who am I speaking with?"
"Joanna Carey. I'm head instructor at Sapling Hill Youth Facility."
Carey hoped having a supervisor meant there was a way to get the mattresses quickly.
"Miss Carey, according to our records, you submitted a rather sizable order just three months ago. Is this something that you didn't receive?"
"No, we've had two mattresses destroyed and we need to have them replaced," she said.
"Were the items lost as a result of fire or other natural disaster?"
"No, vandalism."
"And the items you're requesting have not been approved on a voucher yet, is that correct?"
"Not yet," she said. "But I can fax a voucher to you if you want."
"Well we can certainly add to your fall purchase request."
"You've got to be kidding," Carey said into the phone. "I need those mattresses now, not with the next shipment of supplies."
"I'm very sorry, Miss Carey, but Sapling Hill Youth Facility is budgeted for supplies to be issued once every six months for use during that period. A request for purchase has already been approved and processed for this period. Any vouchers submitted now that are not a result of an OGS backlog or error will be processed for delivery in August."
"August? August? What am I supposed to do with two girls who don't have a bed to sleep in for the next four months?"
"If you would like to submit a voucher for new mattresses for the next dispersal, we'll be happy to process it. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
“Is there any way I can get emergency funds so I can go out and buy the mattresses myself?"
"All purchases must be approved by the General Accounting Office."
"I get the picture," Carey said. "Bye." Hanging up the phone, she ran her fingers through her short black hair and sighed. Another night of sleeping on the infirmary mattresses was just not an option. The remaining choice was only slightly better.
"Ten hut," Carey said as she and Instructor Gage entered the barracks. "Waters, pack your gear into your footlocker. Bowen, you too." Grace moved quickly, packing everything but her uniforms into the footlocker. "All right, you two. Let's go. You have new housing from now until the end of the term."
Oh great, Grace thought as she slung her uniforms over her shoulder and reached for one of the handles for her footlocker. To her surprise, Instructor Carey took the other end. The four left the barracks, Jan Bowen and Gage heading west while she and Carey headed east. "Ma'am, may I ask where we're going?"
"You'll see," Carey said. They walked beyond any area that Grace was familiar with, up a winding path that opened into a small clearing with a cabin. "The choice was between the infirmary or here, and frankly I prefer my recliner to those hard-backed chairs." Carey opened the door of her cabin, then reached for the footlocker. "Go inside, find the kitchen, and sit down in a chair."
"Yes, ma'am." Oh damn, I'm dead. She quickly located the small kitchen and sat down.
Carey put the footlocker in the corner of the living room. "You can change out here or in the bathroom," she said, heading for the bedroom. "Hang your uniforms in the closet in the living room. Give a shout when you're decent."