Page 22 of Fractured

Gavin doesn’t answer as he is too busy shoveling in rice and beans. I begin to worry he might not have enough to eat at home. But then again, I remember what my appetite was like when I was a teen. His mother probably can’t keep enough food in the house. I might need to talk to Sandra at the Big Brothers Association about making an anonymous grocery gift card donation as we get closer to Thanksgiving.

Later that evening, I pull up to Gavin’s apartment and thank him for joining me. I write down the address for the soccer fields and tell him I’ll see him on Saturday afternoon.. I watch as he exits the car and walks toward the stairs. Knowing it’s foolish, as this kid spends much of his life alone, I still wait for him to enter his front door before I depart. There’s a great deal of his story I’ll probably never know. But this smart-ass kid has my respect for handling the lot he’s been dealt.

Kat

I trudge through work like a zombie. I’m back to three to four hours of sleep at most. This job is hard enough with a full eight hours. I’m not having the night terrors again, but my sleep is restless, and I can’t help but perseverate on my questionable date with Mark, my still unanswered questions regarding my nighttime routine, and now that ominous text.

Unknown number

Unknown number: I’d reconsider. I know what you do in the dark…

I have to assume the text was from Mark. I’d just told him I wasn’t interested in dating. Nothing else had happened recently to ‘reconsider.’ But why send that from an unknown number? And what did he mean, ‘I know what you do in the dark’?Heck, I don’t even know what I do in the dark. Had Jake let it slip with the guys what was happening with me?

I only have a few hours of my shift left, and then I can head home for some much-needed rest. I have tomorrow off, so I plan to take two Benadryl and sleep hard tonight. I may wake up hungover tomorrow, but that’s okay. I walk over to the hallway stretcher, where a young male is seated.

“Hi. Mr. Edwards? I’m Katarina Kelly, a PA in the emergency room. What brings you in to see us today?”

“Well, I was working on a ladder and slipped off and fell onto my left foot, and I can’t walk on it now.”

“How far did you fall?”

“I think it was about ten feet.”

“You didn’t hit your head or anything? Does your back hurt?”

“No. The only thing that hurts is my foot. I probably just need some crutches.”

“Well, let’s get some x-rays and be sure nothing is broken first. Do you need anything for the pain?”

“Not right now. I hate taking medicine.”

Returning to my computer to order Mr. Edward’s x-rays, I see Jake sitting in the breezeway.

“Hey. Are you working tonight?”

“Yeah. Splitting the shift with Donovan. He had plans he couldn’t get out of.”

“Hope it isn’t with that chick he’s been dating lately. She’s annoying,” I huff.

“I didn’t ask. But I agree with you. She’s pretty overbearing.”

“I made the mistake of answering the phone the other night when he was working. She acted like she’d caught his mistress answering his phone. She called the ER phone, for God’s sake. It wasn’t like I answered his cell phone. I get the feeling she’s just trolling for a hot doctor.”

“I don’t know. I do think he could do better. But I guess so long as he’s happy. I’ve been with Melanie so long… I’m glad I don’t have to deal with all of that dating shit.”

“Yeah, me either. That’s why I just avoid all of it.” I laugh.

“Kat, you are single.” He pronounces each word succinctly. “Youshouldbe dating. Hey, you doing anything this weekend?”I think about it briefly and laugh. I’m never doing anything anymore.

“Nope, free as a bird. What’s up?”

“Mel wanted to see if you could spend the weekend. We’re behind on planning the Halloween party and thought maybe you could come over Friday night and have dinner and drinks and help us plan. Saturday, the kids have a soccer tournament, and I know they’d love it if you came. Then Saturday night, could you stay and hang out with Seth and Ruby so Mel and I can grab a quick bite to eat without kids?” he asks hopefully.

“Sure, Jake. I don’t mind. I miss those rascals.”

“Great! I just scored some major bonus points with Mel. You never let me down, Kit Kat.”

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