I don’t know how quickly she’ll respond, so I’m pleasantly surprised when I spot the bubbles, indicating she’s typing.
Grandma
We just started playing Euchre on Sundays with a group at the lodge. I’m not sure when we’ll be available. I’ll keep you posted.
I sigh and shake my head.
Me
Sounds good. Enjoy your afternoon.
Grandma
You too.
I replace my phone and shake my head. I wish things were different between us, that we had a little more of a relationship. Maybe that’s my fault for not trying hard enough, but maybe not. I wasn’t enough to make my mom stop the lifestyle she was living, and I refuse to beg anyone for their time. I know they love me, and if their idea of how to show love and mine are different, then it is what it is.
I’m okay.
I reach for my drink and find it empty. Exhaling, I turn around and open the fridge, only to find it about empty too. I remember drinking the last bottled water yesterday, but wasn’t there a few cans of something else in there? God, I can’t believe we let the fridge run empty and didn’t restock it. Yes, I’m sure I can run up to the fridge in the office, used by the front-end staff, but I don’t want to take something that belongs to one of them, even if I was going to replace it first chance I get.
“Oaklee,” Becky practically sings as she rounds the corner to the nurses’ station and deposits a bag and a cup on the counter. “You have another delivery,” she adds with a smirk.
First thing I notice is the cup of something icy. It’s as if he somehow knew I needed a drink this afternoon.
“Are you and Cade, like, dating?” she asks.
“Umm, no. We’re just friends.”
She smiles. “Small towns, Oaklee. Everyone is talking.”
My eyebrows draw together in confusion as I stare at her. “Really? Why?”
“Because Cade doesn’t date, and as far as anyone is concerned, he’s never sent little treats to someone a couple days a week,” she informs me, leaning against the doorway.
“Oh, well, it’s…nothing.”
She shakes her head and pins me with a look. “It has to be something.”
I don’t give her anything, because to be honest, I’m not sure what this is either. I like Becky, she’s a great co-worker and I do consider her someone I can talk to, but when it comes to Cade, I’m keeping those conversations close to the vest.
“Where did this come from?” I ask, opening the white paper bag and finding a straw along with a brownie covered in powdered sugar.
“The diner. That’s Mabel’s famous sweet tea, and since it’s a little pink, I’m guessing she added a flavor, like raspberry. It’s seriously addictive,” Becky says.
Popping the straw in the cup, I take a sip and smile. “Oh, that’s so good.”
“It is,” Becky agrees. “Makes me want to run down to the diner and grab one.”
“I’m sure Fiona would watch the front counter for you for a couple of minutes,” I say.
“Oh, I’m sure she will, if I bring her back one,” she replies with a chuckle.
“Then it’s a win-win.”
Becky nods and glances down the hall. “I better use the restroom quickly and get back up there.” She leans forward and whispers, “Dr. Ex is on his way back here.” Then, she’s gone, offering a polite, “Hi,” to Lance as they pass in the hallway.
“Oaklee, the patient in Room 2 needs labs, and I want to see her again in a week,” he says, somewhat briskly as he continues to the office across the hall.
