3. Life Goes On

It has been 5 days since I stitched Ethan Link's hand and I can't seem to stop myself from thinking about his father Matthew. At home on my 2 days off after meeting them I kept as busy as possible, and my house sure looks it. Nothing left to unpack everything clean and sparkling. Aja asked what the deal was , she could tell I was a bit off. But I just said I needed to keep busy, which was true, and she left it at that.

It's another busy day at work, it's almost 12 and everyone will start talking about lunch soon. I sure hope someone else forget to bring lunch too then we can order something together.

" Ok, ladies, who needs lunch like me?" I asked rounding the corner into the front office.

A chorus of yes is my answer. "What are you thinking about getting Renee?" Jen one of our secretary's asked, she is a bit older than me I think probably in her early 40's she works this job part time and saves up her paychecks for fun trips wth her husband. They have no kids so they just enjoy themselves together, she seems pretty happy.

" I don't really have anything on mind. I'll go see this next patient while you guys think of a few options." I went back to the exam room area to see my next patient, a women with a sinus infection, nothing too complicated.

As I came back into the front office the girls were getting bags of food delivered. I didn't even get a chance to order. I grumbled to myself.

"Hey, what did you guys get? I really hope you ordered me something."

"We didn't order this, it just got delivered they said it was for you."

"What?" I was really confused now but this food smelled amazing, Italian food if I'm not mistaken, the smell of the garlic bread alone was making my mouth water. I stepped up to the delivery boy. " So who paid for all this food?"

Thee sweet boy got nervous and stammered a bit, looking even younger with his light blonde hair poking out of his baseball cap. " Well I'm not sure my boss just told me to deliver it to Renee who works here ma'am ..... That's really all I know." his hat had Rosita's written on it, as well as on his red polo shirt. okay I answered I'll take it in the back do I need to sign for anyting."

"no ma'am". he handed me all of the to-go containers and waved goodbye.

I have to admit the food was excellent just what I needed. I continued with my day seeing patients. it was another busy day we had seen just over 90 patients when it turned 7:05 PM.

" the next patient is for you." Jen said. I heard Hannah giggling but Shrugged she's always being silly.

I entered exam room introduce myself same as I always do. to my surprise Evan and Matthew we're sitting with broad smiles on their faces.

"It's good to see you again." Matthew said still smiling broadly as he stood up and extended his hand to me, it felt so natural to take my hand and put it in his. Another shock zapped my hand as I touched his hand, but he grasped my hand not letting me pull my hand away this time. Matthew smoothly guided me in the small exam room until I was standing in front of Evan, his large hand resting on my lower back for just a moment. The room was so small I brushed past him as he moved me and he seemed to lean his face closer to me. I could swear I heard him inhale deeply through his nose, I probably smell of pasta sauce and garlic. I felt flustered as I reached my hand to Evan.

Evan was wearing the sweetest lop sided grin. "How has it been feeling any problems moving? Anything too uncomfortable?" I asked as I unwrapped his little hand.

" I feel okay". Evan told me "it's hard to grab things though."

I nodded and looked at his hand, wow for only being 5 days the stitches seem almost ready to come out. " Can you guys come back in 3 more days? Everything looks so good I think I should take the stitches out then."

" so soon," Matthew asked, " I I was thinking I'd bring him in every 5 to 7 days that way you could look at it and we could see you." He said the last part a bit under his breath.

"Well Evan is quite the quick healer, so I don't want to leave him uncomfortable for no reason." I just ignored the comment about seeing me, I'm sure it didn't mean what I would like it to. I cleaned and rewraped Evan's hand," Ok, I'll see you both in a few days." I said as I made my way out of the room. I hid myself in the break room for a few minutes, being around Matthew made me feel so different from myself, not in a bad way but also not in a realistic way. I tell myself again, he must have a beautiful wife at home to match his handsome self and Evan is really just too cute for words. I can almost see a Christmas photo with Reya, Evan, Aja, the unknown Tristan who is most definitely just a young version of Matthew, and myself and Matthew. All smiles I almost love the warm fuzzies it gives me to think about Matthew with his arms around my waist. I give myself a little hug around my waist trying to mimic what I think it would be like. Wow I need to stop, my imagination is getting away from me. I wait a few more minutes in the break room, then when I'm sure Matthew and Evan have you left I get back to my computer to add my notes to Evans chart.

It's almost 9PM by the time I'm heading to my car. The parking lot is a bit creepy this late. My new to me SUV is the last vehicle in the lot, I'm happy there are a good amount of street lamps, but the feel is over all deserted. Suddenly I hear a noise from around the corner, I speed up my steps and make it to my car quickly.I exhale and slump slightly as I get my engine on and doors locked. I always feel a bit uneasy alone at night but tonight I really had a strange feeling of being watched. I got myself together a bit and headed home.

I need to get myself together before I get home, Reya, and Aja always knows when I'm feeling off, and she has been working so hard at school, and really Aja too. I need to focus on them and making their life's here as amazing and happy.