“I think I do kind of like him. I don’t know, Mags. Every time I think about it, Jimmy pops into my head, and I start to feel bad.” Maggie started to speak, but Jenny put up a hand, stopping her. “I know what you’re going to say. Jimmy wouldn’t want me to live alone for the rest of my life. He would be okay with me finding someone else and that he would actually want me to. Butknowingit and doing it are two different things. It isn’t easy.”
“Yeah, I’m sure it isn’t.” Maggie sympathized but couldn’t know exactly how she was feeling. “What did Mitch say?” She doubted he’d be okay with it.
“I haven’t said anything to him about it. Adam asked me not to mention it yet. He’s a little worried about how Mitch will react when he finds out Adam’s been hanging out with us. I agree but feel like I’m sneaking around. Even though nothing has happened…yet.”
“You feel like something might happen?”
“I do.” Jenny looked at the bottom of her second empty glass. “I’m thinking about going for it. I mean, if he wants to. Is it too soon? Be honest.” She flagged down the waitress and ordered another round.
Maggie’s head was spinning. She didn’t drink often and had always been a cheap date. The alcohol was taking its toll, but more than that was the excitement she felt for Jenny. Seeing her friend so happy was just as intoxicating as the liquor.
“Jen, I love you. It would be so great for you to find someone special. You’re right about Jimmy wanting this for you. And if you think it’s time, then it’s time. No questions. No doubt. I support you one hundred percent in whatever decision you make.”
Jenny wiped a tear from her cheek. “For the longest time, I couldn’t imagine a life with anyone other than Jimmy. It scares me that I can picture it now.”
“Death is a part of life. People grieve, and while they never forget, they move on. They have to. Starting arelationship with someone else doesn’t mean what you had with Jimmy didn’t matter. It’s not disrespectful to him, and it doesn’t make you a bad person.”
“Thanks, Mags. Your thoughts mean a lot to me. The two-year anniversary is this Thursday. I’ll get through that, get the boys through that, and then see what happens.”
“Just take it day by day. That’s all anyone can do.”
The drinks arrived, and they toasted. “To life. To friendship.”
“All right,” Jenny said, perking up and turning to survey the other patrons. “Now, let’s find you a man.”
The night wasn’t a total bust. Maggie did meet someone. A good-looking doctor no less. He and his friend chatted them up for a good thirty minutes before he asked for her number. They left shortly after with a lunch date set for the following Wednesday.
Maggie took a cab home, filled her cat in on the details of the evening, and fell into bed. “He’s a maybe, Ollie. We’ll see.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Mitch’s brother put him in touch with the volunteer coordinator for the hospital, and he’d made arrangements over the phone to come in that Thursday after work. Because he was a police officer and an ER doc’s brother, the coordinator let the background check and training class slide and just asked him to come in a little early to fill out some paperwork. He’d have to do the training later.
Thursday finally rolled around, and Mitch was set to meet up with Johnny a little before six at the hospital. He’d purposely scheduled his volunteer time on this particular day in order to keep his mind off what it meant to him.
Today marked the second anniversary of Jimmy’s death. Mitch planned to stay busy enough that the thoughts and feelings always lurking in the back of his mind couldn’t catch up with him. Shoplifters, vandals, and car accidents kept them running from call to call all day. Adam hadn’t come right out and said anything about it, but Mitch interpreted his somber and sincere attitude as a sign of acknowledgment and respect.
“All right, chief, I’m outta here,” said Adam. They were in the locker room, changed, and ready to head out. Adam gave him a slap on the back and a sympathetic smile. “If youwant to grab a drink later, let me know. I’ll be around.” He kept it casual, but Mitch got the message. He was there for him if he needed it.
“Thanks, man. Appreciate it.” The sudden lump in his throat made him turn away with a cough. He was a little surprised to realize he actually meant it. Hedidappreciate it.
He took a cab to his favorite sandwich shop and, after scarfing down a double turkey on wheat, walked the rest of the way to the hospital. Arriving ten minutes early, he used the time to call Jenny and the boys. They seemed to be doing all right. Neither of them brought up Jimmy, but each knew the other was thinking about him. She invited him out to the beach house for the weekend, and he told her he’d think about it but not to count on him.
Johnny had been busy with a patient when he arrived. No stranger to breaking dates to deal with an emergency, he asked the nurse to let Johnny know he’d try to stop by again on his way out. He made his way to the third floor and reported to the volunteer services desk.
“Hello. I’m Mitch MacDonald. I spoke with someone earlier this week about helping out today.”
The pretty brunette at the counter had been watching him since he got off the elevator and was staring at him wide-eyed. She closed her mouth and blinked. “Uh, yes, of course. Cynthia told me you’d be coming in today. She has you lined up to help in orthopedic recovery. You can report to the front desk on the fifth floor, and they’ll tell you what to do. Also, I’ll need you to fill out this paperwork before you head up.”
She smiled coyly and handed him a clipboard with a few pieces of paper and a pen attached. “Don’t forget to put your phone number.”
“Sure, no problem. Be right back.” She was cute, but too young. He filled out what he needed to and then headed upstairs.
They put him to work helping patients who’d recently had surgery get up and walk around. The head nurse gave himspecific instructions for each patient.
“I’ll tell you exactly what each patient needs and how much they can take. We’ll start with Mrs. Lewandowski. She had a hip replacement a week ago and should be able to do two laps, walking slowly and with the walker, around the ward. You’re there to keep her steady, help her if she needs it, and get her back to her room in one piece. Sound good?”
How hard could it be? “Sure, let’s do it.”
