“It’s spring vacation next week, isn’t it?”Sally asked as the late-afternoon sunshine filtered through the hospital cafeteria.
“Praise God, yes,” Skye rejoiced openly.“I could do with a vacation.”Maybe all this turmoil with Jordan was just the result of a bad case of spring fever.
Eyeing Skye’s meager dinner, Sally demanded, “How can you survive with just a bowl of soup?”
Skye couldn’t very well admit that her confrontation with Jordan had robbed her of her appetite.“I ate a little something before leaving the house.”A small deception; she’d had only tea.
Sally pushed the remainder of her salad aside.“I hate dieting,” she declared vehemently.“I could kill for a pizza.”
Skye couldn’t keep from laughing.Sally had been dieting with no real success ever since Skye had known her.
“Losing weight would be easier if you exercised more often,” Skye advised with an encouraging smile.“Why not run with me, Sally?It’ll help.”
Sally rolled her eyes expressively.“Thanks, but no thanks.I’m not that desperate.You’ve forgotten I’ve seen you run.I couldn’t keep up with you if I was pedaling a bicycle.”Absently her hand smoothed a nonexistent crease from the skirt of her uniform.“If you weren’t so easy to like, I could be jealous of you.”
“Me?”Skye was genuinely shocked.“I can’t believe that.I’m the one who steps into a cold apartment every night.I don’t have a loving husband or a precious baby like Anne Marie.I should be the envious one.”
A full smile teased Sally’s mouth.“You don’t have twenty extra pounds to lose, either.I guess it’s just a case of the grass being greener on the other side of the fence.But honestly, if you’re lonely, let me introduce you to Andy’s new accountant.”
“Sally, no!”Skye interrupted brusquely.“I’m a big girl now and quite capable of finding my own dates.”
“Jordan Kiley has been asking questions about you.”
“Oh?”Skye took another sip of her coffee, hoping to appear nonchalant and hide her interest.
“You know me,” Sally said, grinning.“By three o’clock in the afternoon I’d sell my soul for a chocolate chip cookie, and Kiley offered me the whole bakery.”Her eyes sparkled with impish delight.“I spilled my guts.”
“Sally!”
“Oh, all right.I hardly said a word.”She paused, mumbling something under her breath.
Skye couldn’t let the matter drop.“Pardon me?”she asked firmly.
“I said, I didn’t have to say a word.Billy told Kiley everything.”
“Heaven help me,” Skye groaned.
Glancing at her wristwatch, Sally stood.“I’ve got to rush, or I’ll be late.By the way, Kiley is being transferred to the third floor after dinner.You might stop by and say hello; it’s the only way you’ll be able to clear away any untruths.”
Sally looked surprised at Skye’s laugh.“I just might do that.”Not for the world would she relate what had happened that afternoon, but by her own admission she was interested in Jordan Kiley.
Flashing Skye an approving smile, Sally said, “You should wear the new blue dress we bought not long ago the next time you come.You’re quite a knockout in it.”
Skye had no such intention.“Yes, Mother.”
Unaffected by the heavy sarcasm, Sally laughed.“See you tomorrow.”
The church choir was practicing an Easter cantata, and several members of the group were already present when Skye joined them.
“Here’s our little songbird.”The male director smiled and handed her the sheet music.
“At five foot ten, I can hardly be described as little,” she joked with the ease of familiarity.Others joined in the teasing banter, and the sound of laughter echoed across the empty church.
The practice proceeded with only a few minor interruptions.
Skye’s solo came before the final reprise; her rich, clear voice vibrated through the room with brilliant bravura.
“I get chills down my spine every time you sing,” Mrs.Peterman, the organist, said as the choir was dismissed.“Have you ever considered singing professionally, dear?”
