Love Is Blind Read Free Page B

trouble with the law or not.  I hoped not.  The idea that they could was humiliating.
    I spent most of the day in the children’s ward making beds up f resh and scrubbing floors with an offensive-smelling cleaning solution that I subconsciously associated with vomit.  I tried not to look at the pale, sickly little kids I saw sitting in wheelchairs or tucked into hospital beds.  It was too sad.  Kids are supposed to be energetic and vibrant, not weak and tired.
    It wasn’t a good day.
    By the time my shift was over and I was ready to go home, my feet ached and my back was sore.  I felt mentally and physically drained.  I was more than ready to call it a day, go home and curl up under the covers with a romance novel…and perhaps my vibrating toothbrush.  I wonder how many women actually use those things to brush their teeth.
    That sort of welcome distraction seemed like the only way to deal with a lousy day.
    Then I remembered Chris.  I hadn’t been on his floor all day.  I decided sticking around the hospital for an extra five minutes wouldn’t kill me. 
    Besides, I kind of wanted to see him.  I didn’t have many people I could call friends and that damn vibrating toothbrush was the closest thing I’d ever had to a boyfriend!  My life was a solitary one, though it wasn’t exactly by choice.  At least Chris was friendly and seemed to enjoy my company.  After what I’d been through, particularly over the past few months, I needed that.
    When I walked in to his room, he was lying in bed with the TV playing quietly in the background.  A pretty young nurse was standing next to him fiddling with the bag suspended from his IV pole.  I hesitated in the doorway, unsure if I should interrupt.
    “Michelle?”   He turned toward the sound of my footsteps, looking hopeful.
    “Yeah it’s me…but you’re busy.  I’ll come back another time.”
    “ You will not,” he shot back cheerfully, his dimples making an appearance.  “Get in here!”
    “I’m done here anyway,” the nurse told me.  Then she walked out of the room, leaving us alone.
    Chris scooted over and patted the bed beside him.  I sat down gingerly next to his leg, noting that his bedside chair was occupied by a large black duffel bag.  I kicked off my shoes and unbuttoned the top three buttons of my uniform as soon as I sat down because why not?  It’s not like Chris could see me undressing anyway and that damn collar had been irritating me all day.
    “What’s up – busy day?” Chris asked.  “I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.”
    “Sorry.  And yeah, it was busy,” I replied, sighing wearily. 
    “Lucky,” Chris said.  “I’m envious.  Guess what I did today?   No wait, don’t guess.  I’m so excited about it I have to tell you right this second.  Okay,” he said, pausing dramatically to heighten the suspense.  “I laid in bed napping and half-listening to crappy TV shows!”
    “That sounds like my typical Saturday night,” I informed Chris before I realized ju st how pathetic it sounded.  I’ve always been a bit of a wallflower but it’s not exactly something I’m proud of.  I cringed, wishing I could take my admission back.
    “Oh, that’s a shame,” he said.  “Tonight will be different.  Tonight we’re celebrating.”
    “What are we celebrating?”
    Chris held up his arm to show me a small bandage.  “My IV was taken out tonight,” he informed me.  “That means I’m no longer a prisoner!  It was too difficult to navigate where I was going and pull the IV stand behind me, so I haven’t left this room much…until now.  Goodbye, ball and chain!”
    “How do you propose we celebrate?”
    “Cheesecake and coffee from the best hole-in-the-wall café in the city,” he announced happily.  “It conveniently happens to be only a few blocks away.  What do you say?”
    “You had me at cheesecake.”
    “Good.  Now let me find some pants.  As fun as it would be to parade around