“He says he knows...from experience,” Rosa whispered. “Oh, Mer, he looked at me when he said it!”
Glad for an opportunity to divert the attention from herself, she smiled at Rosa’s red cheeks. “How long have you been seeing each other?”
“Just a couple of weeks. Do you think that’s enough time to know? I mean, it’s too soon, right? But I’m crazy about him!”
She bit her lip. “Only you know what’s in your heart. But maybe you shouldn’t rush into anything.”
“I’d marry him in a heartbeat if he asked me!” she said fiercely.
Growing concerned for her impetuous friend, Meredith tried to find the right words. “I’m not saying not to marry him, just to keep your eyes wide open. There are other factors in a relationship besides attraction. Would he make a good husband and father? Can he provide for a family? Would he be willing to have pre-marital counseling?”
Rosa collapsed back against her chair, rolling her eyes. “I swear, Mer, you sound like a textbook! If that’s all that’s holding you back, why don’t you marry David? He’s been coming to the mid-week home group and I can tell you he’s got all those qualities and more.”
“You’re being ridiculous. I don’t love him.”
“So,” she teased, “now we’re back to love. But what is love?”
Meredith thought about the hot, prickly feeling she experienced around David. Most likely an allergic reaction to his cologne. The burning sensation in her chest was just indigestion. And the way her breathing increased? Just a temporary need for more oxygen. Probably had something to do with the depleted ozone layer. She cleared her throat. “Love, I think, is a meeting of the minds. A comfortable, spiritual commitment to share one’s life with another.”
Rosa stifled a snort. “What about children, Mer? Can’t have those by thinking ‘em up! Don’t you think some physical attraction is warranted?”
“Are we talking about love or lust?” she asked sweetly.
Rosa slapped her arm. “You are such a liar.”
Her playful tone robbed the words of any sting, but Meredith believed what she said. She wasn’t lying about anything. When her conscience gave her a nudge, she ignored it, relieved the meeting had once again commenced.
***
Meredith switched on the television set just as the sports segment began. While she questioned her fortitude, it didn’t stop her from watching David’s broadcast every chance she could.
Sitting on the couch, she watched his face fill the screen. Seeing the sparkle in his eyes and hearing his voice full of enthusiasm for sports, she thought back to their tiff in the church parking lot. Witnessing his breathtaking visage now on TV, she questioned her sanity at giving this guy the cold shoulder. Maybe I should have my head examined. CT Scan, X-Ray, MRI—the works.
Breathtaking good looks aside, she wondered again why he appeared to be pursuing her. The girl next door wasn’t usually considered tempting for a cosmopolitan man of the world. Maybe David was experiencing some nostalgia. Maybe he missed the old neighborhood some. While he’d chafed at small town life for as long as she’d known him, his memories couldn’t all be bad. He was the town hero after all. The local boy who made good.
The most plausible explanation then was the nostalgia theory. David hoped to resume a friendship with her—perhaps that was why he seemed offended when she told Gino they were mere acquaintances.
Well, she supposed she could unbend enough to be friendly with him. But that was all. Absolutely it.
***
For Meredith, the next few days were quiet. The way it had been before the complication of men in her life. Clay was on a business trip for three days, and aside from the Channel Nine news, Meredith had seen neither hide nor hair of David. After spending one afternoon helping during a blood drive, she had the rest of her days free. She managed to achieve a sense of peace and tranquility while puttering in her garden, preparing the flowerbeds for winter.
On Thursday afternoon, Rosa called and invited her to a pre-season basketball game at the Arco Arena. She said Gino had decent seats. “And not the nose-bleed section. These are just above courtside.”
Knowing Rosa, Meredith couldn’t help but feel suspicious. “What’s the catch? Is David going to show up for a double-date by coincidence or something?”
Rosa laughed. “Nope. It’s just you, me and Gino. And besides, I thought you were seeing that Clay guy. Ask him if he wants to come.”
“He’s out of town right now. If you’re sure there’s no booby trap involved, I’d like to come.” Meredith paused as a new thought occurred to her. “Won’t I be a third wheel? Don’t you two want to be alone or something?”
Rosa cleared her throat. “Being alone is what we’re trying to avoid.”
“Oh,” said Meredith, blushing. “So, what time?”
“We’ll pick you up at seven.”
“See you then.”
***
Several hours later, the doorbell rang. When she opened the door, Meredith was struck anew by Gino’s looks. He definitely fit the tall, dark, and handsome description. What made him really attractive was his gentle and sweet treatment of Rosa. Meredith could see why she was crazy about the guy.
He drove a restored Ford Galaxy with tail fins and lots of chrome. The front bench seat was spacious enough for all three of them to fit in. Meredith, content to listen to Rosa and Gino’s banter as they made their way to One Sports Parkway Drive, watched the sun set in a gaudy display of pink and golds.
Inside the arena, after grabbing munchies at the concession stand, they threaded through the aisles and levels until they located their seats. Once settled, the lights soon went down. Fog machines, laser lights, and rock music preceded the dramatic introduction of the main players. Half an hour later, the tip-off began the game. The Kings had the ball.
Meredith, usually indifferent to sports of any kind, found herself getting carried away with the game. The Kings were going against the Utah Jazz and through the first half, they played competitively. In the second half, the Kings lost their momentum and eventually succumbed to the Jazz’s offense.
By the time the game ended with the score of 102 to 98, Meredith was hoarse from cheering. With good-natured groans over the home-team loss, they left their seats and began the long trek among the crowds, up the steps to the exits.
Rosa grabbed her shirtsleeve. “Look! There’s David! He’s doing a courtside interview with one of the King players. Let’s go say hi.”
Meredith gave her a sharp look. “I thought you said no coincidences.”
“I just said David wasn’t coming with us. And I only had a hunch he might be here tonight. Lots of TV guys are.”
David was one of many reporters milling around with photographers, cameramen, players, and fans. Nearing the court floor, Meredith ran a hand through her hair, smoothing the wayward curls away from her face. For security reasons, they had to wait until all the players had cleared the floor.
They waited in the stands, watching while David held a mic up to the player’s mouth, with a cameraman hovering in the background. Soon he finished a quick interview and shook the player’s hand. Once the floor had nearly emptied, he looked over in their direction. She noted he didn’t seem overly surprised to see them there.
He came up the steps to them and stuck the mic in Gino’s face. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he said, “How do you think the Kings will fair this year with four new draft picks?”
Gino smirked. “Since I’m new in town, I have to admit I’m a dyed-in-the-wool fan of the Lakers.”
Rosa laughed and looked up at him, patting his chest with her little hand. Returning her gaze, he covered her hand with his own. Meredith sighed and looked at David. His tawny-colored curls shone in the arena lighting and his dark eyes glimmered with humor.
He put the mic near her mouth. “Tell me, do you think the Kings have a shot at the play-offs this season?”
Meredith felt like a deer caught in the headlights, mesmerized by
the intimate look in David’s eyes. All her admonitions to herself were forgotten in that moment. Without quite realizing what she was saying, she opened her mouth. “If they show they really mean it and keep their foul plays down to a minimum...I think they have every chance of achieving their goals.”
David turned to the cameraman. “Words to be heeded. For Channel Nine KVL, this is David Steller.”
The cameraman lowered the camera from his shoulder and told David he’d be waiting for him in the van.
Gino turned to David. “Hey, we’re going out for coffee and dessert after the game. Think you’d be up to it? Ask the camera guy, too.”
Meredith kept her gaze glued to a wad of bubble gum stuck on the concrete steps. What had she been thinking? She only imagined a double-entendre in David’s words but her own answer made even less sense. Now, a part of her waited in suspense for his response about going out after the game.
“I’d love to. But I have to get back to the station and prepare the tape for the eleven o’clock broadcast. Thanks for the invite.”
“We’ll see you at church on Sunday.” Rosa waved and moved away with Gino.
Meredith mumbled a good-bye and followed the couple out. She couldn’t bring herself to look at David. What will he make of that inane comment?
They exited the arena and headed to the parking garage. The sun had disappeared and the few stars competed with the halo of light from the city. Rosa gave Meredith a sidelong glance.
“Gee, Mer. Interesting answer to David’s question. I didn’t know you knew so much about basketball.”
“I don’t,” she said gloomily. “I don’t know anything at all.”
***
Meredith pleaded a very real headache and declined going out for coffee with Rosa and Gino. She knew despite Rosa’s intentions, they wanted to be alone. In her opinion, they were made for each other. During the ball game, she noticed they seemed to be wholly in tune with each other. Their gazes strayed to the other, finding every excuse for casual touches. Meredith wished them well.
Right now, she only craved a couple of pain pills and about nine hours of sleep. Her days on began the following night. Perhaps unconsciousness would serve to obliterate her embarrassment of making such a corny comment to David tonight. What was I thinking?
After Gino dropped her off at her house, Meredith made her way inside. She’d left Bitsy in the house and she sat down on the floor with a plop to receive his puppy ministrations. When Bitsy had settled down, she went to the kitchen for a snack after downing a couple of Extra-Strength Tylenol. Exhaustion made her eyelids heavy.
Once her teeth were brushed, her face washed, and an over-sized T-shirt on, Meredith glanced at the clock radio in her room. It was nearly eleven. Wouldn’t hurt to catch up on the latest news.
She settled herself among the pillows on her bed. Using the remote, turned on the little TV she kept in her room. The usual news was reported; trouble in the Middle East, a government scandal, and wildfires in the West. Meredith barely heard any of it.
Her heart rate accelerated when the sports segment neared. A few moments later, another one of the sport reporters sat at the desk, explaining David had been at the King’s game earlier in the evening. They cut to video of David interviewing the basketball player she’d seen him with at the arena. She admired the engaging way he talked with the player, the way he showed genuine interest in his comments.
Meredith’s eyes began to drift closed. She knew at any moment, they’d cut back to the reporter filling in at the Sport’s Desk. From there, they’d go on and on about the scores of practically every game played on the planet.
“We talked to some of the fans tonight to get their thoughts about the upcoming Cedar Hill Kings season.”
Meredith’s eyes snapped open. He wouldn’t. Surely he’d only been teasing about interviewing her. David wouldn’t dare actually film her without her permission. Would he? She saw him asking some young boy’s opinions. She relaxed. In the next moment, to her horror, the screen was filled with an image of herself and David.
“Tell me, do you think the Kings have a shot at the play-offs this season?”
Meredith groaned. I want to die. The way I was looking at him is disgusting. I acted like a David Steller groupie.
Worse was to come.
“If they show they really mean it and keep their foul plays down to a minimum...I think they have every chance of achieving their goals.”
Squeezing her eyes shut, Meredith turned off the TV and put a pillow over her head, her humiliation complete.
Thirteen
When Meredith began her last shift in the Med-Surg unit, her bone-deep fatigue reminded her she wouldn’t miss working these hours. Frankly, there wasn’t a whole lot she would miss. She had never been close with most of the nurses—the high turnover rate of the night shift didn’t encourage close friendships. Her gaze flicked over to where Erin sat talking with a few other nurses.
Would she miss the Charge Nurse? Nope. But she’d continue to pray for her. As Meredith passed by the nurses’ station en route to a patient’s room, Erin looked up and saw her.
“Well, well. It’s Ambrose’s last day. You going to miss me?”
The other nurses laughed nervously at Erin’s challenging tone. Meredith tried to ignore her and continued on by.
“Nurse Ambrose! I’m talking to you. Do you want to add insubordination to religious fanaticism as a black mark on your record?”
She stopped and turned around. “Do you want to be reported for religious discrimination?” she said coolly.
“Oh, I see. You’re going to speak up now that it’s your last day. What bravery! I’m impressed.”
Meredith flushed. She walked up to the station and set down her clipboard. Before she could speak, Erin laughed. “Are you going to let me have it now? What about turning the other cheek? Isn’t that what a Christian’s supposed to do?”
Breathing heavily, Meredith counted to five before opening her mouth. “Erin, I don’t deny that you make me angry and I don’t like the way you’ve treated me these past few years. I’m sorry you need to berate and belittle others to feel better about yourself. All it does is drive everyone away. Do you want to end up all alone?”
Erin stared at her, her face pinched and white, her green eyes wide. Suddenly she burst into tears and hurried from the room. Meredith stood stock still along with the other nurses, stunned by her reaction.
“Meredith?”
Turning at the sound of her name, to her further surprise, she saw Clay entering the unit. “Uh...you’re back in town?”
Clay’s eyes followed Erin’s retreating figure. “I just got back and thought I’d stop by. I need to talk to you about something.”
“Oh.”
“What’s wrong with Erin?”
Meredith shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“Well, I’m going to find out!” He startled her by setting out at a run after the Charge Nurse.
Meredith gripped the counter for support. “Does anyone know what’s going on?”
***
Meredith didn’t have a chance to analyze the sudden turn of events. Patient calls came in and she had to answer them. An hour later, things slowed down a bit and she found one of the nurses who’d witnessed the scene between herself and the Erin. Meredith asked if she knew anything more about Erin’s outburst.
The nurse shook her head. “All I know is that she went to the chapel. She’s been there all this time.”
“What!”
The nurse shrugged.
“Could you cover for me? I think I should talk to her.”
“Sure.”
Meredith hurried from the unit, twisting and turning down the different halls, until she came to the chapel. It was a small room with mauve carpeting and a set of five wooden pews in a row. Stained glass glowed over a wooden altar but there were no other religious symbols as it was open to anyone regardless of their faith.
Hearing the sound of m
uffled crying, Meredith swallowed and edged open the door. Her words died in her throat when she entered the room. Erin sat cradled against Clay’s chest. His cheek was pressed against her hair while he rubbed her back and spoke to her in soothing tones. He glanced up at her before returning to his comforting of Erin. He didn’t say a word.
Turning on her heel, Meredith went out of the room and returned to the Med-Surg unit, her thoughts in a whirl. Out of the confusion, one thing was very clear. Clay was in love with Erin Morgan.
***
The remainder of Meredith’s shift passed by in a haze. Refusing to give Clay or Erin any room in her thoughts, she went about her duties in a precise and organized manner. By the time she’d reported off to the day shift, thoughts she’d held at bay crowded back into her brain.
After making sure her pockets were empty of hospital paraphernalia, Meredith tore off her smock and stuffed it into her bag. She donned a light cardigan over her tank top and changed her shoes. Without an ounce of regret, she cleaned out her locker and left the Med-Surg break room. She made her way through the hospital out to the parking lot without looking back.
“Meredith! Wait!”
Meredith continued walking to her Saturn. After unlocking the door, she wrenched it open and threw her bag and purse inside. Clay came running up, out of breath. His usually perfect hair now stuck up all over his head. He looked as exhausted as she felt.
“We need to talk,” he said.
She gave him a fixed look. “I don’t think so.”
He took her hand and held it firmly when she tried to pull it away. “You have to listen to me.” His gaze beseeched hers.
Her shoulders sagged. “I think I figured it out, Clay. You don’t owe me any explanations.”
“Yes, I do.” He exhaled a ragged sigh. “The times I’ve come to the hospital to see you, I’ve often ended up talking to Erin. She's revealed some things to me. I...I knew she was hurting and I gave her my phone number so she could reach me if she needed to talk. I swear I did it in all innocence.”
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