“Not yet. The battery is already low. I don’t want to run it down while we’re walking. I thought I’d check in the audiology lab to see if they had any more or a charger that would work with my batteries. I’ll shut it off when I’m on the computer or not working with people.”
After folding her pants in a plastic bag, she tucked them in her large purse and zipped it up.
“I’m sorry I don’t have my CIs in. For now, I’ll just have to make sure to pay close attention to your mouth and what you’re saying.”
As she gazed at him, a smile on her lips, he found that perhaps having her CIs out wasn’t such a bad thing after all. It was something they’d have to do until he got better at ASL. And even though there was nothing spectacular about her staring intently at him while he spoke, it still made him feel special.
The snow has stopped.
Carli gazed at Blake lingering in the doorway of the radiology office.Really?
Yup.
He was so darned cute. For the last few days, he’d been signing to her as much as he could. There were so many words he still didn’t know, and his syntax wasn’t exactly correct for ASL, but he got an A for effort. And for attempting to learn as much as he could.
Waving him in, she got to her feet. “Did it just stop now?”
“About two hours ago. I was with a patient, so I couldn’t get down here.”
It had finally stopped snowing. The news had said they’d get hit hard, but wow, it had started snowing Monday and today was Thursday.
“Too long.”
She nodded. “My mom would tell us about the Blizzard of ’78, where it snowed over four days and the whole state was closed down for a week.”
“I won’t complain then. Especially about the company I’ve had when I’ve actually been home.”
Which hadn’t been much. They’d both worked double shifts the last three days, sometimes covering in different departments that were understaffed, and had wondered if today would be the same. Blake had generously allowed her to stay with him for the few hours they got to leave near midnight.
That wasn’t the only thing he’d been generous about. Apparently, his downstairs neighbor managed a small boutique near them. She’d picked up a few outfits for Carli and left them outside Blake’s door. How she’d known Carli’s size from only a picture was crazy, but she said she sized people for a living. And the fact Blake had kept the picture of them from the Halloween party in the children’s unit on his phone had surprised her. A welcome surprise. It indicated feelings on his part that went beyond simply casual.
“We should celebrate.” He grinned.
“I would love that, if I wasn’t ready to fall asleep at my desk.” Even though it was barely noon.
“You should check your email then.”
“Why? What did I miss?” Settling back in her desk chair, she tapped a few keys. An administrative notice to those who had spent extra time here over the blizzard. She could leave as soon as there was someone to cover her position and take the next day off.
Barbara had managed to get in only an hour ago, presumably because it had finally stopped snowing, and she lived near one of the T stops.
“Barbara?”
Her co-worked looked her way and waved at her. “Go and get some rest. I’m here until five, and Joy is going to try and get here before that. Now that the storm has stopped, they might be able to clean up some of these streets. I don’t know where they’ll put all this snow.”
Barbara kept talking, but Carli missed what she was saying as she twisted to take a slip of paper from a patient.
“Are you ready to go?” Blake asked, indicating her desk and computer.
“I should probably try and get home.” She liked signing back to him when he made an attempt.
He patted her hand. “I don’t think you can. Check the news. A train went off the tracks on the Medford line. They don’t know when they’ll get it running again, and the ban on driving is still in effect.”
“Oh.” She should have been disappointed, but the idea of spending another day at Blake’s wasn’t terrible. As a matter of fact, she could get used to living in the Back Bay with luxurious furniture and a gorgeous view of the city. The fact Blake had been there with her was an added bonus.
“Can you leave, too?”
Blake nodded. “I’ve got coverage for the next few days.”
