“May I ask why?” I asked cautiously again. I didn’t want to appear too nosy.
“Um…I’m a one-man kind of girl, and I haven’t found the guy I want to date. Dating around is not my thing.” She hesitated then explained a lot more about herself than I expected to hear. “I was in a serious relationship for four years—all throughout undergrad, and my boyfriend dumped me on the day of our graduation.”
I felt bad for her and angry toward this guy as tears flickered in her eyes again. Whoever he was, she must have loved him deeply if she was still hurting.
“Is he why you haven’t dated in so long?”
“Um…I don’t know if I’d say it was because of Max. It’s really more because I haven’t met anyone that I’d like get to know. Sorry. You look so tired. Details of my life must be boring you to death.” Her eyes perked up again and tried to make humor out of her sadness.
She hadn’t responded to my dinner request and I was just about to repeat myself when Linda came back in the room.
“Ms. Logan, I’m sorry but the attending doctor got called away. You’ll be in here a bit longer.”
“OK, thank you.”
“Jake?” Her voice sounded like it was dipped in sugar.
“Yes?”
“Do I really need to stay here? I feel horrible you’ve been here so long with me and I’m really tired.”
“You should be examined by a doctor.” I wasn’t ready to let go of her.
“Aren’t you a doctor? Do you not know about ankles? Is it too minor of a body part for you?” With almost a coquettish grin she was coaxing me and teasing me at the same time.
Chuckling at her humor, I saw the exhaustion in her eyes and had to give in.
“Why didn’t I think of helping you earlier? Let me take you to x-ray, then bandage you up if nothing is wrong.”
“Would you? Thank you.” Her weary eyes filled with relief.
Silently kicking and screaming I got someone to x-ray her ankle and confirming my initial theory that nothing was wrong, I wrapped her ankle with a bandage. I hope she didn’t wonder why I hadn’t done this the moment we walked into ER. All the residents came by one last time as I wheeled her to my car.
“Bye, Ms. Logan! Let us know if you change your mind.” They all chorused in unison.
Emily turned to me as I helped her into the car and shuddered. “That was creepy. Please don’t bring me back here ever again.”
I couldn’t help but laugh one more time. I hadn’t had this much fun in a long while.
“Do you want me to drive you home?”
“No, I need to go pick up my car. I’ll be OK.”
We got to her car and I hated the thought of letting her go. Perhaps it was wishful thinking but as tired as she looked, there seemed to be a part of her that was comfortable with me—that liked being here with me.
“Jake?”
“Yes?” Subtlety not being my forte, I answered her question too quickly.
“Would it be OK if we went to dinner another time? I don’t think I can sit through a meal right now.”
My heart performed a loop de loop in response to what she said.
As casual as I could be, I answered, “Sure.” But of course, much too quickly I added, “How about tomorrow night?”
I saw her hold back a laugh. She leaned over and gave me a light peck on the cheek. Like a schoolboy kissed for the very first time, her lips sent me over the moon.
“Thank you for all your help tonight.” With that she hobbled out of the car. Frozen from her embrace, I stupidly let her limp to her car. Running toward her, I encircled my arms around her body and carried her off her feet. In turn, her arms folded around my neck and momentarily, I hoped time could stand still. Bodies close, face to face, I struggled not lock her lips with mine. As I couldn’t help staring, she looked away abashed.
“Were you planning on running away without giving me your phone number?” I slowly let her go when her body pushed away.
“Oh, I guess you need that, huh? I have to warn you…I only have a cell phone and I’m not good about answering it. I respond better to texts.” She proceeded to rummage through her purse and jotted down ten digits onto a piece of paper.
“Good night or morning.” She waved as she closed her car and left the parking lot.
My eyes finally blinked long after her car drove out of sight.
OLIVIA 2010