Page 17 of Digging Deeper

Gavin: No. No thanks to you.

Me: You know what? I do have an answer for you.

Gavin: Really? Which one?

Before I can reply, I get another text from him.

Gavin: Wait. Don’t tell me yet. I’m so excited but I’m going to be sad about the other one.

Shaking my head, I sit back in my seat to ponder my new life when my phone lights up with a new text.

Gavin: No, you have to tell me. I can’t take it. Who am I bringing home? I have to know.

Me: Nana

Gavin: Yay! Oh poor Brutus

Me: I wasn’t done yet.

Gavin: What does that mean?

Me: Well, if my best friend can have two cats, why can’t you have two dogs?

Gavin: You mean bring home Nana and Brutus? Like, to your house?

Me: Unless you were moving out already?

For some reason, that makes my chest tighten a little.

Gavin: No, no, unless you want me out?

Me: LOL. Don’t be ridiculous. There’s no reason for you to pay to live somewhere when I have an empty house.

Dots are still bubbling on my screen when I send him another text.

Me: Shouldn’t you be working with a patient right now? Why are you texting me? Get to work.

Gavin: I was on my break, smartass.

Me: Geesh, you tell a guy he can invade your home with his mutts and the first thing he does is call you names.

Gavin: Drix?

Me: Yes, Gavin. I accept your apology.

Gavin: Thank you.

Me: You’re welcome.

Smiling to myself, I settle in to decide what else I can do with my life from the confines of my new reality.

8

Gavin

Reaching for the doorknob of room one-oh-four, I realize I have a huge smile on my face, and there’s nothing I can do to make it go away. This used to be the room I dreaded the most, and now I feel like I’m saving the best for last. I’d wanted to get away to thank Drix in person earlier, but I hadn’t had a chance yet, so I’m glad to finally be heading in.

When I open the door, my eyes automatically go to the bed, but I freeze when I find it empty. Maybe a nurse took him into the bathroom? I glance at the bathroom door, but it’s wide open and looks empty from here.

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