As Sarah gathered the paperwork for her afternoon appointments, she wondered just how happy she would be later this week. Sarah said her usual prayer as she walked out the door and across the porch of the historic house that Sunset Hospice called an office.
Father, help me to be a light of hope and grace to those in need of my care today...
... and Father, whatever is happening with Jen and Jake, help them to reconcile with each other and with you. It's so obvious that they need to be together.
Chapter 6
The saying "time flies when you're having fun" may well be true, but time seemed to grind to a halt for Sarah. It felt like an eternity before Tuesday afternoon arrived. There were, of course, patients to visit, multiple phone calls and texts to friends for consultation on what to wear, clearing her late afternoon with Sharon so she wouldn't be interrupted and spending some time in prayer and meditation to make it appear to Michael that this was a nice and relaxed visit at Sunset Joe's.
Back at her apartment Sarah's laptop computer quietly woke up with instructions to upload picture files covertly taken since the last upload, delete the files and go back to sleep as if nothing ever happened.
Sarah turned in her paperwork and finished up her phone calls at exactly 3:45 so she would be around the corner from the coffee shop ten minutes early. No sense taking any chances on a last minute delay. Sarah sat in her car contemplating this event. The last time she went to Sunset Joe's it was to meet a man. That wasn't the best outcome for her. This time would be different. This would be enjoyable. No expectations, just a pleasant conversation to get to know each other. And, maybe a chance for another time together. No pressure, Sarah, for either one of us.
Without thinking, Sarah put her car in gear and drove toward the coffee shop. It was earlier than she planned. Oh well, why not seem excited about this? I am. She intentionally parked away from the entrance so she could take a few deep breaths and smile on her way to the door.
This is it, Father. I'm in your hands.
She entered in time to see Michael packing his laptop at the same table he occupied last Thursday. He walked toward Sarah with that same serene half-smile he wore on Sunday, never taking his eyes off her.
"Hi, Sarah. How kind of you to join me."
"I wouldn't miss it, Michael."
"Lead the way, m'lady. I'm buying."
"Such a gentleman. There aren't many left in this world I'm afraid."
"As my dad said, 'chivalry isn't dead, just exhausted.'"
For some reason, that caught Sarah as cute and appealing. Of course, this whole event was cute and appealing. "Hey, Joe. I'll have... well, you know what I'll have. I don't know why I bother telling you anymore."
Joe winked and reached for the green tea.
"I'll take a medium decaf caramel macchiato with coconut creamer." Joe nodded with a smile and rang up the purchase.
Sarah looked surprised. "That's an interesting choice, coconut creamer."
"I actually like it now that I've gotten used to the modified paleo diet." I snuck in the caramel since this is a special occasion."
Sarah felt a sudden warm glow, thinking that Michael considered his time with her special. "Well, I take that as a compliment."
Michael smiled as they picked up their drinks and walked to the table Michael used earlier. He pulled out a chair for Sarah.
He is a gentleman. I'm beginning to really like this. "Why, thank you, Michael."
"You act surprised. Don't other guys help you with your chair?"
Sarah felt suddenly self-conscious. "Honestly? Not that often I'm afraid."
"Well, their loss." He sat down just to her left instead of across from her.
Sarah noticed that Michael was much more relaxed and open here than on Sunday. Either it was the lack of a crowd or the fact that they knew each other now or something, but she liked this version of Michael even better. Regardless of how much she liked him, she suddenly had trouble finding something to say, so she took the lid off her tea and stirred it lazily. "Honestly, I don't have that many opportunities for a man to offer me a chair." Did I just say that? Why did I say that?
"Again. Their loss, Sarah." Michael smiled and kept watching her.
"Thank you, Michael." Sarah looked into his eyes. They just invited her to speak what was on her heart. She turned toward him and leaned forward. "I just need to get this out now before it drives me crazy, Michael. I've been a nervous wreck getting ready to meet with you. Now that I'm here, I feel so much more relaxed and comfortable." Sarah leaned back, took a deep breath and sipped her tea.
Michael continued his already relaxed pose. "I'll have to admit, Sarah. I've been a bit of a wreck too. Thanks for being so open."
His admission surprised her. "What do you have to be nervous about? You seem so calm and collected every time I look at you."
Michael studied Sarah and nodded slowly. "To be honest with you, I don't have many opportunities to offer a lady a chair."
"Her loss." Sarah felt strangely uncomfortable saying that, but it was the grammatically correct response.
Michael looked away for a moment and his face showed a brief sadness.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No, Sarah, just the opposite. You're either really good at what you do or really intuitive. Maybe both." He paused to shift in his chair. "It is 'her loss.' I've been divorced for almost two years now."
"Oh, my. How are you holding up with it? If you don't mind me asking?" Sarah was distinctly aware that this "casual" coffee date had taken an intense turn very quickly.
"As well as I can. Better than I thought I would. That's part of why I moved to Sunset... a change of scenery and personal space. Meet new people who don't remind me of my old life or expect me to be like I used to be."
Sarah used her practiced skill of compassionate silent engagement.
"I can't believe I just talked to you about my miserable past when this was supposed to be a friendly coffee date."
Sarah was thrilled Michael referred to this as a date. "I'm happy that you would feel comfortable sharing that with me, Michael. I think that's a good sign." Sarah smiled warmly and sipped her tea.
"Do you feel comfortable enough for a little quid pro quo?"
Sarah assessed her feelings. She did feel comfortable sharing something of her past, knowing that there was a lot more to Michael's story than he shared. "Well, I've never been married. Never found the right guy." Sarah couldn't look Michael in the eyes when she said that. It was too threatening. "Only one serious relationship, but that... didn't go well. It just took me a long time to trust anyone... to trust men after that. The choices of eligible bachelors in Sunset leave much to be desired. Present company excluded, of course." Sarah hoped that didn't sound too flirty.
Michael smiled at that comment. "I do hope that trust won't be a problem with me going forward."
Sarah had to be careful to remain calm and not choke on her tea. There's hope? He wants a next time? "I don't foresee a problem in that respect." Breathe, Sarah.
"Well, good. Trust is important to me. Both ways. After all, 'trustworthy' is the first point in the Scout Law."
"So, you were in the Boy Scouts?"
"Eagle Scout."
"Why does that not surprise me in the least? My brother Gabriel was an Eagle Scout too. In fact, Gabe announced just yesterday that he's being promoted to major in the Army. We're so proud of him."
Michael's face became cloudy for an instant again.
"Oh, did I say something else that was... painful?"
"I think it's just an indication that we're on the same wavelength, Sarah. But that discussion needs to wait for a later time."
So there will be a later time. I like that. "There's just something about Sunset Joe's that causes two people to be open and honest. I should have warned you." Sarah smiled.
"No, actually. I think it was a good choice." Michael kept his eyes on Sarah as he sipped his drink. "Well, most first dates involve lots of
chit-chat followed by a little serious talk. I think we broke tradition by starting off with the serious stuff. I don't know about you, but I could use a little lighter conversation to finish off my macchiato."
"I think that's probably a good idea. Everybody knows what a social worker does, so let's start with you. What do you do as a computer consultant?"
"Well, I my clients call me a network security ninja. I slink around in their networks undetected looking for hackers, incursions, threats to their systems in general. Some clients will pay me to hack their system to test their security. It's amazing how easy it can be to break into a large company's network. It's a good business and it pays well. I get to work wherever and whenever I want."
"I really think that's fascinating, Michael. What do you do when you catch a hacker?"
"I turn the information over to the company. If it's a violation of a state or federal law, I'm obligated to turn it over to law enforcement."
"So, you're like a high-tech sheriff trying to clean up the internet, in a way."
"You could say that... I know you're a social worker, but hospice? That's got to be a serious specialty."
"Yes, it is. I take care of very ill people and their families. The company tells me when to work and where. They pay me very little to do it." Sarah smiled broadly at Michael, signaling that the topic of hospice was too serious to discuss.
Michael and Sarah found about a dozen other things to talk about that carried them well past emptying their cups. That didn't matter. They were genuinely enjoying each other's comfortable presence.
The ambiance of the moment was broken only by a chirp of Sarah's phone indicating a text message. This better not be Lydia snooping on the date. "Excuse me, Michael. This may be work." What she read caused her to sit up straight. It was Jennifer Lawson. The last person she expected to see on her phone.
Plz mt me 4 lunch. Clown Wed 12??
"Oh, my."
"A problem?"
"I don't know. I just got a text from one of the nurses. She doesn't like me very much right now. She just asked me to lunch tomorrow." Sarah's phone chirped again.
It's a 1 animal lunch. Promise :)
Sarah looked at the text for a moment puzzled at its meaning. Then she laughed hysterically. "A one animal lunch. That is so, so funny."
Michael found the display amusing and perplexing. "I guess it's better news than you thought."
"Oh, yes. Much better. An answer to prayer, actually. At 'The Clown,' one little plastic animal on the edge of your soda cup means you're having a good day. Two means it's rough. Three means 'watch out, I'm in a bad mood.' It's a little tradition at hospice. It's Jen's way of saying this lunch is good news." Sarah responded to the text.
Happy 2. Lkg 4ward 2 it :)
"I guess there's a story attached?"
"Actually, it involves the guy you saw me with last Thursday." Sarah recounted the conversation she had with Jake a few tables away.
Michael sat in rapt attention as Sarah shared one of the most profound stories of heartbreak and personal victory he ever heard. He knew there was something about the softness and compassion of Sarah's soul that attracted him, but hearing the story of how she gave up the desire of her heart to send Jake back to Jen told him Sarah also possessed an inner strength beyond anything he had ever seen in a woman.
"... so, that brings me to now, when Jen invited me to lunch tomorrow. I'm not sure what happened, but she either wants to talk to me about how she and Jake reconciled, or it's an ambush and I might as well say goodbye now." Sarah gave him a sarcastic smile.
"I think it's more of an apology myself."
"I hope you're right, Michael."
The two sat in silence for a moment.
Michael spoke up first. "I really don't want this to end, but I would like to get together with you again, if that's okay with you?"
Sarah forced herself to keep her head up and look at Michael. "I would really like that." Oh, please let this happen again.
"Great. Maybe for dinner one evening? I'm not much of a cook, but..."
The prospect of going to Michael's home for dinner was shockingly threatening to Sarah. She intervened. "I'm a decent cook. How about I take care of dinner one night? Is Friday good for you? Oh. I can't believe I just asked him. He's supposed to ask me, isn't he?
"That would be nice. I'll look forward to it." They both got up from the table.
Sarah noticed that Michael limped a little on his first step.
"May I walk you to your car, Sarah?"
"Your gentlemanly streak continues." She smiled and moved toward the door.
"Why don't you email me with your address and the time for dinner Friday? I'm really looking forward to seeing you again."
As they arrived at Sarah's car she became nervous about how this encounter would end.
Michael put her at ease. "This has been wonderful, Sarah. Before we go, may I give you a hug?"
"Uh, sure, Michael." That pleased her beyond her expectations. A kiss would have been far too intrusive, even a violation of her trust. Handshake? It would show he really didn't care. This was perfect.
Michael reached around Sarah and gave her an appropriately chaste hug. She reciprocated. It struck her how gentle, but rock solid strong Michael felt.
Michael couldn't help but notice that Sarah held the hug longer than he did. That was a good sign. "Good evening, Sarah. See you soon."
"Later, Michael." Sarah got in her car, but couldn't quite bring herself to drive away. She felt too good to mess this up by doing anything but just "being" for a few minutes.
Chapter 7
After the flurry of calls, texts and emails recapping the excitement of the "big date," Sarah fell into bed exhausted but content. Just before turning out the light, Sarah completed her day as she usually did.
Father, thank you for granting me another day on this earth to fulfill your will for my life. I hope that what I have done today has been pleasing in your sight. Help me rest well to get ready for another day. Prepare the way for me to minister to those who need you and will see you through me. And, Father, thank you for a wonderful time with Michael. I will accept it as a gift from you and not put any expectation on it or him and wait to see what you have in store.
She slept soundly.
Sarah had a busy morning with appointments to set for the week and a meeting with a new patient and his family to do her social work assessment. Those meetings could be long and emotionally exhausting.
After a particularly gratifying encounter with the new patient Sarah headed back to the office to get ready for her lunch with Jen. Along the way, her phone chirped. She pulled into a parking lot to check the message. She needed to make a few calls anyway. The message was from Jen.
whatcha want for lunch? i'm buying?
Oh, this is good news? She responded.
grilled chicken on wheat. lettuce, tomato, no mayo. ice water. tx :)
She forgot one important item.
... and 1 animal ;)
She soon received a text back from Jen.
lol got it
Sarah sat in her car contemplating what it would be like to be alone with Jennifer Lawson. She dreaded that for so long. Now, she strangely looked forward to the opportunity.
Sarah made her calls from the parking lot. It was against company policy to drive and talk on the phone at the same time. She drove back into Sunset and to the office to get ready for the big lunch.
At a few minutes before noon, Sarah put away her paperwork, walked out of the office and across the street to "The Clown" hamburger stand. This establishment sort of grew organically from a trailer to a complex with picnic tables and even a small stage for evening concerts. It was a favorite for the hospice team due to its convenient location and its great food.
Sarah immediately spotted Jen waving her to a table in a far corner. Who couldn't spot Jen? She's so beautiful. As Sarah overheard Concho describe her, "Jen's a drop-dead model-gorgeous redhead blue-eyed bun
dle of energy." Yep, all the things I'm not. No wonder Jake wanted her instead of me. Sarah found herself getting depressed as she walked across the street and closer to Jennifer Lawson, the "competition." Sarah reminded herself that Jen was actually the "former competition." She released Jake from her life.
As Sarah approached the table she saw a hint of hesitation in Jen. It was quite unlike anything she had seen in her before. "Hi, Jen..."
What happened next occurred so quickly that Sarah didn't have the chance to react with shock or fear or surprise. It just happened. One second she stood close to a seated Jennifer Lawson. The next second she had Jennifer Lawson wrapped around her, crying.
"Sarah, thank you so much for what you've done for me and Jake. I am so sorry for the way I've treated you. I hope you will be able to forgive me and we can be friends... maybe even like sisters. I've never had a sister. That would be so, so great..." Jennifer was chattering nervously at this point.
Sarah tried to overcome her disconnected feelings at least long enough to rescue Jen from her verbal feedback loop. She put her arms around Jen and patted her on the back. "Jen... Jen... It's okay. Of course I forgive you. I'm happy for you and Jake." She felt like she was comforting a crying child.
"Oh, Sarah. Thank you. That's why I wanted you to meet me for lunch. I want to talk to you about what happened and thank you for what you did. I had no idea what you said to Jake last Thursday. And, to be honest, I'm embarrassed about the way I acted..." Jen finally released her grip on Sarah. "Oh, please sit down and eat before it gets cold."
The two women sat down to enjoy their new found kinship and food. Sarah noted that Jen ordered the same sandwich instead of her usual disgustingly greasy green chile cheeseburger.
"I'll have to be honest, Sarah. When I saw you talking to Jake after the meeting last Thursday I really thought you were making a move on him. I vowed right then and there that if you went for him it would be your last fun fling on this earth." Fortunately for Sarah, Jen's smile told her she was kidding, sort of. The smile faded quickly. "He told me what you did when you met with him at Joe's that afternoon. I want you to know, Sarah, that was the most wonderful and courageous thing I think I've ever heard of one woman doing for another. I don't know how to repay you for what you did for me... and for Jake."
Sarah's Prayer: A Sunset Single (Sunset Series 1.1) Page 4
