Page 20 of Sweeter Than Fiction

She starts laughing and even lets out a cute little snort. “No, I’m not with child. I knit hats for babies in the NICU at the hospital.”

“Really?”

She nods. “I knit hats during the colder months, and then, in the warmer months, I crochet little stuffed animals for the children’s hospital. They give them to the kids who are new and may be scared.”

“Wow,” I say. “That’s really awesome of you. What made you decide to do that?”

Her shoulders shrug. “Knitting and crocheting help ground me, but I could only make so many blankets and scarves before it seemed a bit excessive.”

I feel like I’m not getting the full story, but I’m not going to pry.

She offers up a little more, though. “When I was younger, I spent a little time in the hospital, so I know how comforting little things can be.”

“That had to be rough,” I reply, still trying not to be too intrusive.

“I was never in very long. Just mainly there so they could run a bunch of tests. I can’t imagine what some of the kids go through that have to be there for an extended stay.”

Another piece of the Abby puzzle that makes me realize how great she is.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and when I pull it out, I see that it’s a message from Shar.

Hey, sexy. Want to get together tonight?

Seeing my face, Abby asks, “What’s wrong? Why do you look surprised?”

“It’s that woman I went on a date with a few nights ago. Shar.”

Abby’s face contorts. “Shar? Really?”

“Hey, I didn’t pick her name.”

“What does she want? Oh, let me guess—she wants more of your man meat?”

“Well, that’s an odd name for it.” I laugh.

“Odd name? Really? Shar?”

“Point taken.”

“So, really, what does Miss Shar want?”

With a heavy sigh, I reply, “She wants my man meat.”

“Aha! I knew it!” She cries. “So, are you going to go give it to her?”

“Nope,” I reply, shoving my phone back in my pocket.

“Why not?” She looks shocked.

“Because I’m hanging out with you.”

“But you have an opportunity to get laid.”

“So?” I ask.

“So, I would think you’d rather go do that than hang out with me watching Gilmore Girls.”

“Well, then, you’d be wrong,” I tell her. “Look, I told you that I’m taking a break from that whole scene. So, no, I’ll not be going to meet up with Shar.”

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