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My brothers used to love telling me that dad found me at one of his work sites—assholes. “Hey Mom.”
My dad pulls out my chair for me and has me sit right next to him.
“How was class?” my mom asks from across the table. She’s been my biggest supporter since I told her I wanted to be a nurse.
“It was good, and thankfully this semester is almost over.” I smile at them both. “Six months left.”
Dad wraps his arm around my shoulders and hugs me into his side. My family is loud and crazy at times, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m so lucky because so many of my friends or acquaintances have parents who are divorced—not my parents. They’ve been through a lot and sometimes they fight, but they also love each other fiercely.
“We’re so proud of you baby girl.” My dad kisses my temple.
Our waitress brings our salads, and when I look up I see Chris sitting across the room staring in my direction. I raise my hand and give him a wave. He does the typical chin lift, my mom notices me looking and turns and gives Chris a wave.
“I feel so bad for them. I brought Madison lunch yesterday and she says you’ve been taking good care of her.” Her smile is sad.
I don’t tell her that every time I come to help her, Madison looks more and more sick. I also don’t share that sometimes when I sleep I dream that it’s Mom who’s sick, and I wake up crying. That doesn’t stop me from still wanting to do hospice care.
We eat our salads in a comfortable silence, but my eyes keep drifting to Chris. Every time I look at him he’s looking at me. I can’t name the look on his face except maybe a look of curiosity.
“Parker’s coming home next weekend. We’re planning a big party for him at the house.” My mom isn’t fully happy unless all her babies are home.
“That’s great. Are Uncle Cash and Aunt Tessa coming with the kids?” Parker is living with our aunt and uncle in Charleston while he does his apprenticeship.
“I think they’re going to come and stay Saturday night. The only one who can’t come is Josie, but that’s because she just started her new traveling gig in Atlanta.”
Josie is the daughter of my aunt Tessa’s brother, Jonathon. She’s always come to visit with our aunt and uncle, and we love seeing her.
“That’s too bad. I should call her and check in. Let me know if you need me to bring anything.” I don’t cook much, but I’ve got a couple recipes that are my specialties. I make insane chocolate and salted caramel brownies. My dad has had me make them for him for his past two birthdays.
I excuse myself and head toward the back to go to the bathroom. Once I’m done, I wash my hands. Opening the door, I’m shocked to find Chris leaning against the wall. “Uh…hey. How are you?” He hasn’t been at his parents’ house the last couple of times I’ve been there.
“I’m good, I just wanted to say hi before I head back to the office. Uh…so, hi.” Chris turns and then he’s gone.
I shake my head. “That was weird.”
I head back to the table and sit down, casually looking in the direction of where Chris is sitting and find them leaving. Shrugging off the disappointment I feel, I turn back and focus on my parents.
“I heard that Violet and Diego are moving here. Are they going to work with you?” My cousin and her husband are both architects…well, Violet has to finish school, which got delayed due to the birth of their daughter Lucy.
My dad nods. “Yep, when they get here we’re going to expand the business. Your aunt’s happy to have both of her babies home. I think Diego will bring a lot of fresh ideas to the table. The man knows his shit, that’s for sure.”
After we finish I head home. I don’t have to work today, so I’ll take a little nap and then get up to do my homework and study. I wave at my parents as they pull out, and then do the same.
I knock before opening the door, announcing myself. “Mrs. Jensen, it’s me, Haddie from visiting nurses.”
She comes out, moving slowly with the assistance of her walker. I’ve been seeing her for the past year. We help manage her congestive heart failure. “Hi Haddie, I’m sorry it’s such a mess in here. I get so tired trying to pick up.” Mrs. Jensen says the same thing to me every time, but I don’t mind.
Her home is actually really clean, but I know that’s because her granddaughter comes and cleans it once a week. I only see her once a week to help her get cleaned up and then tomorrow she’ll get her hair done.
She tells me all of the latest gossip from the halls of the assisted living. Since I’ve been seeing her I know the entire scoop about everyone. I know who has dated whom and who doesn’t get along.
Mrs. Jensen has got to be my favorite patient. It doesn’t matter what kind of day I’m having, because when I’m here she makes me laugh and smile and I leave feeling happy. Today is no different and as I say goodbye, she’s getting ready to go play bingo.
I have some time between patients, so I decided to stop at Starbucks and get an iced coffee. While I stand at the end of the counter, I glance around the shop. This place is always crowded, and there is never anywhere to sit.
In the corner I spot a familiar face. Turning to walk over to him, I think better of it when I spot Chris being Chris, heavily flirting with a leggy brunette. Her hand is on his chest and Chris’s hand is on her thigh. I turn back to the counter, ignoring the weird ache in my gut. What the hell is wrong with me? I know what he’s like. I’ve heard enough stories about Chris and my brother to last a lifetime. At least Joe is no longer like that. He’s got Chloe, and is in love with his wife.
“Haddie.” I step up to the counter and grab my drink. As I head to the exit, I resist the urge to look in Chris’s direction, but at the last minute I fail…miserably. I turn and catch a glimpse of him leaning in close, talking to the woman who is clearly more his type than I am. Ugh…why do I even care?
