“I’d appreciate that.”
“And seeing as we’re talking honestly, I gotta admit I’d be happy to not have to deal with your mom either, anytime soon.”
“Understandable.”
He grinned.“So maybe we need to go old school, and talk on the phone.Find out when the coast is clear.”
Her chuckle felt rusty.“Just like when we were fifteen?”
“You remember that time when we messaged all night so that we both slept in and missed the bus for school?”
“It’s burned in my memory.Mom was so mad.”
“Well, I don’t want to find out if that’s changed, so maybe if I just give you my number and you can let me know when you’re free.Like I said before, my time is fairly open at the moment, so it’d be nice to spend some of that with you.Even if it’s only on a phone call, well, that’s better than nothing.”
She nodded, and put his contact details in her phone.Then, knowing that she’d be unlikely to do anything if she didn’t do it immediately, sent him a one-word message:
Gen.
“What’s this?”he teased, smiling at his phone.“Fine.I get the message.And yes, I’ll call you soon.”
Her phone beeped a warning again.“I should go.I need to catch this bus, otherwise I’ll be waiting another hour.”
“I’d be very happy to take you home.”
“Thanks, but I have things to do.And I don’t want you going out of your way.”Or finding out about the hovel in which she lived.
“Nothing is too far away where you are concerned.”
She rose.She couldn’t bear his kindness and consideration.Not when there was still a mighty big secret she needed to share.Not that she had fortitude enough to deal with sharingthattoday.One day soon.When she was stronger.“Um, I’m just gonna go pay.”
“It’s all taken care of.”
Right.“Uh, thanks.”
“Of course.And thankyou.Spending time with you has been the highlight of my day.The highlight of my month.My year, even.”
She nodded, her heart lighter than it had been in years.“Me too.”
And before he could get her to spill any more truths, she hurried outside, caught her bus and went on her way.
CHAPTER11
Ferries looked like toys from his apartment’s windows.But even with the blue skies and busyness outside he felt tired.Being stuck at home was fast getting old.And he’d thought staying in the hospital was boring.
Yesterday he watched his church’s online service, and felt his spirits lift a little.But today he’d felt flat all day.Flat, but also kind of itchy.After Saturday’s amazing conversation with Gen, which honestly had felt like an answer to prayer, he’d been left wondering how she was doing.
He didn’t want to text her a hundred times each day.Well, he kinda did, but knew that wasn’t wise, as it would probably only scare her off.So he’d have to be patient, which really wasn’t his preferred mode.Which left him stuck in his apartment, watching TV, doing what pathetic exercises his team doc and trainers had deemed as suitable.
At least he had the trip on Wednesday to look forward to, but even that felt too far away.
His thumb was trigger-happy, so he finally succumbed and texted her.
Hey, there.Thinking about you.How are you?
He shouldn’t have been surprised when she didn’t answer.
She was at work, no doubt saving lives again.Honestly, she was like Wonder Woman.And not just because she saved lives.Or because when they were seventeen she’d once dressed in white boots and a sparkling costume for Halloween and he still recalled how good she’d looked.No, she was a woman and she made him wonder.
