Page 95 of Stolen Kisses
Chapter 21
Zombies were real. Krista had decided this, and she was decidedly one of them. She tromped down the hall to go check on her last patient of the day. She felt drained, void, and like she should climb into one of the hospital beds herself because she was certain that she was dying. That was how she felt at least. Her diagnosis: incurable heartbreak. But it was for the best.
“You doing okay?” she asked little Petey Gibbs, who was hospitalized after hitting his head and getting a concussion. Usually they sent these kids home, but Dr. Jacobs thought it best to watch Petey a little closer.
“I’m bored,” Petey declared.
Krista laughed softly. It didn’t matter how bad she felt, a child could always lift her spirits. She did this job as much for herself as she did for them. “Okayyyy, well is your head feeling all right?”
“Yep. Just bored.”
Krista nodded. “I have coloring books back at my station.”
“Those are boring,” he said flatly.
She twisted her mouth to one side. Tapped a finger to her chin. “I have audiobooks. I can set them up to read to you. Do you like books?”
“I’ve read the entire Harry Potter series,” he told her proudly.
“Wow. Those are tough books for a nine-year-old.”
“Not really. I’m pretty smart.” He used his little arms to push himself upright in the bed. “And one day I’m going to be a doctor just like you.”
“I’m a nurse, actually, but you can be anything you want. Just follow your heart.” Her grandmother had always told her that same thing and she’d believed it. But following her heart with Noah had led her astray this time, and now she was miserable. The walking dead. “Last offer,” she said, forcing Noah from her thoughts. “I have a book of word-finds you can do. If you find a whole page’s worth, I’ll bring you a treat tomorrow.”
The boy’s eyes rounded. “I’m excellent at word-finds,” he told her.
“Good. You can only do one page, though. Then I want you to rest your eyes.”
“Okay.”
“Good. I’ll go get the book for you.” She retrieved it from the nurse’s station and brought it to him. “See you tomorrow.” She left his room and returned to her station where she collapsed in front of the computer to finish up patient notes. She’d volunteered to run the caregiver support group again tonight. The way she was feeling, though, she’d be no good to anyone. She’d skipped lunch and, with Grace on her honeymoon, she’d missed out on the supercharged caffeine that the Blushing Bay Café provided in the mornings. Maybe she’d grab a bite at the hospital cafeteria before the group began.
Taking the elevator down to the first floor, Krista dragged herself through the line, grabbing some diced fruit and a cup of caffeinated tea. Then she carried it to a table in the corner to sit by herself. As she sipped, her gaze snagged on a familiar-looking woman. Mandy was seated a few tables away, laughing and smiling, looking more relaxed than Krista had ever seen her. It was good to see. Krista wondered where Adam was, but knew that Mandy would never leave him somewhere that wasn’t safe. Seated at the table with Mandy was a man with his back to Krista. The two were both leaning forward into each other. It must’ve been the man who’d asked for her number when she’d come down to the cafeteria the other day. This was great. Mandy was seeing someone and she looked happy.
Krista inspected the man a little more closely. Even though his back was to her, she could see that he was dressed in scrubs and a white doctor’s jacket. A doctor here.Go, Mandy!
The man dropped something from the table and bent to pick it up, his face turning just enough for Krista to recognize him. A breath caught in her chest. It was Chandler Dale. Mandy and Chandler Dale. For a second, Krista felt a streak of jealousy. She lowered her gaze, hoping they wouldn’t see her. She wasn’t jealous because it was Chandler. She was jealous because Mandy had found something that she was looking for. Something that she’d thought she’d found, too, but Noah had only been a mirage. And now here she was sitting in the hospital cafeteria alone.
Collecting her fruit and drink, Krista quickly retreated out of the cafeteria toward the conference room where the caregiver support group was being held.
The group gathered in a circle of chairs half an hour later. Understandably Mandy didn’t attend. She was likely still on a date with Dr. Dale, which hopefully relieved some of her caregiver stress in itself.
“You’re back with us,” one of the attendees said, offering up a smile.
Krista nodded. “Lorraine is caring for her sick father these days, so she can’t be here to moderate the group.”
“Sounds like she’ll need to attend for herself,” an older man said.
Krista nodded. “We all need to unload sometimes. It’s good for everyone.” Including herself.
“All right,” Cathy Myer said. Cathy always attended the group with a basket of knitting supplies and knitted while everyone talked. She was the caregiver for her grandchildren after her daughter had run off to the other side of the country. “You look like you could use some support. What’s going on in your life?” Cathy asked, her knitting needles pausing as she looked up at Krista.
“Oh, no. I don’t take care of anyone at home. I live with my brother.” Which probably sounded pathetic to this group.
“Do you take care of yourself?” a young woman asked. “Because that’s important, too. We’ve all learned that in coming here.”
Krista frowned. “I try.”
