Unexpected Romance

t I've spaced out for almost five minut

ding a bouquet in his hand. He's dressed in a

r. Hepburn assig

ctor seen m

what I

me and takes a se

to speak with

tter person to speak wit

rse. I go straight to the nursing station, looking for Mrs. Pinch. When I can't

the theater," says

ch o

or, Theatr

out Dr.

Hepburn?"

I say, realiz

of the theater just a

oking for you

roblem with t

think his

at supposed

tes ago, demanding who I am

did you tell him?"

e to Mr. McRae. Then I aske

he doctor is the better

" I ask, looking at Mrs

, you tend to come across these kinds of

m, he offered his father a bouq

h. "Dr. Hepburn just left the hospital for

what sho

Pinch with a wan smile. "I'll

**

He demands as I walk b

more attractive. I find myself comparing him to Tyler's fathe

I say. "For

. I know what he is going to say next

hat your father is

didn't he tell me that

ft before you

mber, you kno

oking everywhere apart from the o

ll my father

ugh, from what I see, he won't be here for more th

ur

I," I say. "She'

is attack isn't tha

re I make a fool of myself. "Wha

ing on something that had to do with

," I

she got there, he was already sprawled out

rried about the outcome of the ele

fessional opin

n I don't know what t

e. "Anything else

ou are, you don't feel like listening to whatever I have to say

re of nurses' lies. M

k at the door, expecting Mrs. Pinch to walk in anytime soon. I wonder how muc

professional advice of a health practitioner. If someone like Dr. Hepburn has placed two nurses to look after your fathe

in for Claire on her night shift. Christ, which means I'

***

going

eve it if I tel

you mine? My new date wants to s

and T

lovely sister who has kids his age. I'm sure

lay Mon

she laughed like it's normal for every

hooked up with

m,

mm

it's hi

d I move the phon

s wants to show me t

cial thing you we

shown it to me before

oint out. "Some guy showing you

it was

ause you're fantasizing about h

't think

I think, Claire? It'

eah. I

, Claire. Tyler w

there at once. Wha

n get him

I'll let you know once

say and end

ook up, and he's behind the door. "I was hoping you'

***

my phone call and heard all the private words Claire made me say. I h

Hepburn?" as

ch, continuing in a professional

rse like he wasn't supposed to be

dragged a morning star

t, sir," says Mrs. Pinch as

be worried about?"

you need to do is stay away from anythi

tay away from

ad

order, John,"

t's hi

ther nine months; maybe you shou

cs, John. You re

death of you,

a pessim

on't know whic

do you

o a heart attack or not being s

, then. I might die doing th