opened. When he saw the swish of a dark ponytail, he tried not to let his disappointment show. When the nurse approached the bed to check on him, he wondered why Meredith hadn’t been by.
“How are we feeling today, Mr. Steller?” the nurse asked cheerfully.
While David could appreciate her winsome appeal, he kept his expression neutral. This Rosa was something of a flirt and he didn’t want to encourage her.
“Everything still hurts if that means anything.”
She laughed and went through her assessment routine. He answered her questions in monotone.
After she finished poking and prodding, David cleared his throat. “Is Merrie here today? I haven’t seen her in a while.”
Rosa gave him a considering look. “She’s off for a few days and she gets moved from unit to unit.” She scribbled on chart. “But I’ll let her know you asked about her again.”
With that, David had to be content. He wasn’t. When the nurse left the room, he settled against the stiff pillow and tried to get comfortable. Impossible in this place.
Lying there day after day gave him time to think. And the more he thought, the more he wanted to see Merrie. Admittedly, his brash declaration to his old teammates had surprised him almost as much as it had them. The words had sort of just popped out of his mouth. But after seeing her here, there was no doubt in his mind he wanted to renew their friendship. Maybe even go from there. The notion gave him an adrenaline rush.
After college, he’d spent the next several years on the road. In the limelight, successful, and sought after in the world of professional soccer, David had felt a hollowness. His achievements never satisfied the way he’d hoped. After blowing out his knee, he worked at building up a resume in sports broadcasting. The job with KVL was a Godsend. He’d grown weary of his wild lifestyle a long time ago, and with unfamiliar pangs of nostalgia, he’d headed back to California with sepia-toned ideas about love and family.
He smiled, thinking of Merrie. She’d always been special to him. He remembered their young romance that summer. She’d probably forgotten all about it. Merrie hadn’t been like all the other empty-headed, giggling, whispering girls. She’d been grounded and mature for her age, always thoughtful of others. He could tell she hadn’t changed, and for that he was glad.
David glanced at the clock and wondered if she’d come visit him today. In the last few years, he’d thought more and more about Merrie, wondering how she was doing. After finally realizing he’d been living a shallow life, and getting right with God, his memories of the time spent with her became almost hallowed in his mind. Could he help it if he felt a wistful pull to reestablish that connection?
From his Aunt Gloria, he knew she lived in Cedar Hill. That made the job at the news station a double blessing. He had planned to show up on her doorstep as a surprise. Well, he’d come to her all right…on a gurney. David smiled wryly at the thought. Wonder what she thinks about me? She’s been friendly. That’s something .
Finding her smiling down at him had felt like a punch to the solar plexus. He remembered her as pretty, but she’d definitely blossomed into a beautiful young woman. It still amazed him that she wasn’t married. But who am I to expect anything from her? My body, scarred and broken, will never be the same. Who am I to come back into her life and take up where I left off?
Who indeed.
A vague depression settled around him like a dark cloud.
***
In lieu of swimming, Meredith took Bitsy on daily walks through the various parks throughout Cedar Hill. She wouldn’t admit to herself she hoped to run into Clay Roberts. Such a nice, sensible person.
At a dog park Meredith released Bitsy, laughing as he ran in ecstatic circles. After tossing a ball to him for half an hour, she found a bench to sit down on. Through half-closed eyes, she watched Bitsy run across
“How are we feeling today, Mr. Steller?” the nurse asked cheerfully.
While David could appreciate her winsome appeal, he kept his expression neutral. This Rosa was something of a flirt and he didn’t want to encourage her.
“Everything still hurts if that means anything.”
She laughed and went through her assessment routine. He answered her questions in monotone.
After she finished poking and prodding, David cleared his throat. “Is Merrie here today? I haven’t seen her in a while.”
Rosa gave him a considering look. “She’s off for a few days and she gets moved from unit to unit.” She scribbled on chart. “But I’ll let her know you asked about her again.”
With that, David had to be content. He wasn’t. When the nurse left the room, he settled against the stiff pillow and tried to get comfortable. Impossible in this place.
Lying there day after day gave him time to think. And the more he thought, the more he wanted to see Merrie. Admittedly, his brash declaration to his old teammates had surprised him almost as much as it had them. The words had sort of just popped out of his mouth. But after seeing her here, there was no doubt in his mind he wanted to renew their friendship. Maybe even go from there. The notion gave him an adrenaline rush.
After college, he’d spent the next several years on the road. In the limelight, successful, and sought after in the world of professional soccer, David had felt a hollowness. His achievements never satisfied the way he’d hoped. After blowing out his knee, he worked at building up a resume in sports broadcasting. The job with KVL was a Godsend. He’d grown weary of his wild lifestyle a long time ago, and with unfamiliar pangs of nostalgia, he’d headed back to California with sepia-toned ideas about love and family.
He smiled, thinking of Merrie. She’d always been special to him. He remembered their young romance that summer. She’d probably forgotten all about it. Merrie hadn’t been like all the other empty-headed, giggling, whispering girls. She’d been grounded and mature for her age, always thoughtful of others. He could tell she hadn’t changed, and for that he was glad.
David glanced at the clock and wondered if she’d come visit him today. In the last few years, he’d thought more and more about Merrie, wondering how she was doing. After finally realizing he’d been living a shallow life, and getting right with God, his memories of the time spent with her became almost hallowed in his mind. Could he help it if he felt a wistful pull to reestablish that connection?
From his Aunt Gloria, he knew she lived in Cedar Hill. That made the job at the news station a double blessing. He had planned to show up on her doorstep as a surprise. Well, he’d come to her all right…on a gurney. David smiled wryly at the thought. Wonder what she thinks about me? She’s been friendly. That’s something .
Finding her smiling down at him had felt like a punch to the solar plexus. He remembered her as pretty, but she’d definitely blossomed into a beautiful young woman. It still amazed him that she wasn’t married. But who am I to expect anything from her? My body, scarred and broken, will never be the same. Who am I to come back into her life and take up where I left off?
Who indeed.
A vague depression settled around him like a dark cloud.
***
In lieu of swimming, Meredith took Bitsy on daily walks through the various parks throughout Cedar Hill. She wouldn’t admit to herself she hoped to run into Clay Roberts. Such a nice, sensible person.
At a dog park Meredith released Bitsy, laughing as he ran in ecstatic circles. After tossing a ball to him for half an hour, she found a bench to sit down on. Through half-closed eyes, she watched Bitsy run across
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