Little Moments (Second Chances 2)

“Hey, you,” he whispered. His soft, sweet smile almost made a dent, but I pulled my hand away.

“I’ve got to run.”

Surprise and confusion colored his face. “What time is it?”

“Around five. I’ve got early rounds.”

He seemed satisfied with my excuse and looked thoughtful. “Ah, yes, Dr. Phillips. Time to save lives.”

I gave him a nod and a tight smile just before a knock at the door sounded. I rose from the bed to pull on my skirt and slip my feet into my heels.

He sat up watching me closely like a cat that’d dart out of an open door. “Who could that be at this time?” he said.

“My ride,” I threw over my shoulder. I scooped up my purse from the dresser on the way out, catching his face in the mirror. They always had that same look the next day. Or perhaps I was the one who saw things differently.

I heard him jump out of bed and scramble for his pants as I made my way to the living room, picking up my pace. “Sky, wait.”

When I reached the door, he came in and leaned against the couch, folding his arms. “I could have driven you home.”

“It’s okay,” I said, pulling the door open.

Nathan stood in the doorway, hands stretched out to the jams on each side, his brown hair ragged from being dragged from the comfort of his bed. He shot me that look that said, you owe me and then let one hand fall and sweep to the side as if making a path for royalty.

“Wait,” a voice came from behind me. “Who’s this guy?”

Nathan took a step into the doorway. “Oh, hey, man.”

“John, this is my cousin, Nathan,” I said.

Unfortunately, Nathan had spoken at the same time I did and said, “I’m her neighbor.”

John walked over to the two of us, eyes darting between me and my partner in crime. “Well, which is it?”

Nathan and I exchanged looks, and I opened my mouth to speak.

John held up his hand. “No. Let me guess,” he said in a sarcastic tone. “He’s your cousin who lives next door.”

I half-shrugged while looking him dead in the eye. “I really should get going.” A split second later, I plastered on a smile. “I’ll call you.”

“You haven’t given me much choice,” he said to my back as I sidled past Nathan. “I don’t even have your number.”

I’d be willing to bet John wouldn’t be holding his breath.

In the car, we drove in easy silence with the windows down. The sky was still a hazy blue melding to light. My shoulder length, dark brown hair fought and tangled around m

y face as I stared out the window. I watched the dawn covered streets half-filled with commuters and the deprived waiting for jobs or wandering about. I sucked the crisp, clean air into my lungs, feeling cleansed and thankful our mutual agreement didn’t require explanation. That didn’t mean we never gave them.

At the stoplight, I gazed through a glass window at a father and son sitting at a table in a diner. The boy, possibly six or seven with soulful eyes, stared back at me. He smiled and brought a hand slowly to his lips as if kissing it. Then, he reached up two fingers and looked toward the sky. I gasped and squeezed my eyes shut. When I opened them, he was gone; the booth was empty. The way my heart felt as it sank inside my chest pounding with immense force. Nathan stroked the back of my head. I turned and met his smile as his hand ran down my shoulder to my hand, interlacing our fingers. He and I didn’t need words to comfort each other.

My phone sounded in my purse as we pulled into a gas station. I released his hand to retrieve a text from Dr. Wallace that I’d missed our appointment yesterday. Strike three. Only if she documented it. I contemplated whether it would be worth giving her a story, considering she knew my history. I started typing: Sorry, Alyssa was stranded again. Had to… Backspace all the way. I had an urgent appointment with… Backspace. Close application. Fuck! She wouldn’t believe me, and lies annoyed her. I had no choice. A personal visit accompanied with begging and bribery was the best solution. I thought about her reaction if I told her I’d given John my middle name, Sky, instead of making one up. Was I losing my edge? I had enjoyed being the privileged doctor for a night.

Back at my apartment, Nathan followed me up the walkway. At the top of the stairs, Alyssa sat outside her door feeding a stray cat.

“Don’t let Cruella see you doing that in here,” I said, bending over to scratch the top of the cat’s head.

“No shit,” Alyssa said. Her ingenuous eyes stayed glued to the little tabby. “She won’t be up for hours.”

“Where’s your mom?” Nathan asked.