Perfect Strangers

by Liv Morris

  “Great.” I laugh. “We just met and he’s already telling me I need to have my head examined.”

  “You kids,” the officer shakes his head and mutters. “As a precaution, I’m taking you to the hospital, Miss.”

  I sit back in my seat, dejected. Off to the hospital we go. Not a very fun way to spend a New Year’s Eve. Maybe Drew will ask for my phone number when we get to the emergency room. If he doesn’t, I’ll ask for his because there’s no way I’m not letting this one get away. This chance meeting needs to be explored, along with other things…

  True Confessions

  My purse lays across my legs and I feel some vibrations on my knee. It dawns on me that it’s my phone. It’s still by the time I dig it of my purse’s side pocket. I don’t really even need to view the screen to know who was just calling me. After a quick glance, my screen shows over ten missed calls. Pretty sure I’m in deep trouble with my mother. Better give her a quick call.

  “My mother.” I hold up my phone and show Drew the list of calls and texts labeled “Mama Bear.” I cringe at her nickname, hoping he won’t ask for details.

  “That’s a lot of missed calls. Maybe Mama Bear thinks you’re heading out to a party in the snow.”

  Oh no! I have to confess what my true plans were for the night. New Year’s Eve with my parents. I should lie, make up some story, but I can’t. Instead, I decide to tell him the truth then watch whatever cool factor I might’ve possessed disappear.

  “Actually, I was heading up to their house on the North Shore for the evening.” I prepare for the pitiful look and distance he’ll want to put between us now.

  “No kidding?” he asks.

  “Yes, me, my parents and Times Square on the television. All kinds of excitement.” I just can’t bear looking up into his eyes. Instead, I scan the scene out the vehicle’s window, hoping we’re getting close to the hospital.

  “We’re quite the pair.” His fingers gently touch the side of my cheek. With a little pressure he turns my head toward him. “I was going to do the same thing tonight. Though there were about forty other people joining my parents and me.”

  “Really? I haven’t hung out with my parents on New Year’s since I was in middle school. I just didn’t want to go out this year.” I don’t say any more because the only thing left to discuss is why, and my ex-fiancé isn’t about to make any appearances tonight.

  “My parents go all out and entertain their entire circle of friends each year,” Drew says. “When I was younger I’d try to sneak a drink or two left unattended. Then in high school, my mom decided that she’d rather have me at home drinking than out with my friends. Been a permanent fixture at their party for years.”

  “I feel better now. I thought you’d think I was a complete loser.” I watch his facial expressions become serious.

  “Never.” The way he stresses this word convinces me that he’s telling the truth. My whole body relaxes. My mind is at ease now.

  “Alright,” interrupts the officer. “We’re at Northwestern folks.”

  We peek out the windshield for the emergency room signs. The vehicle pulls up to a sliding glass door entrance. I face Drew and try to suppress the knot in my stomach. I’m not ready to say goodbye. Not now and maybe never. It’s odd. I’ve known him for a mere hour or two and it seems like so much longer. We’ve really hit it off in our time together.

  “Well, Drew, I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for me tonight.” My face has to be showing my sadness in leaving him. I scold myself for feeling like this. What a stupid girl to have let him get under my skin so quickly.

  “Are you trying to say goodbye?” His brow scrunches together in confusion and then he smiles blindingly at me. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily. If it’s okay, I’d like to come in with you. Moral support and all.”

  “Really?” I ask.

  “Yes, really.” His finger traces over my face. “Why the sad face, Kat?”

  “I… I didn’t want to leave you.”

  “Good, because I’m not going anywhere,” he reassures me and faces the officer. “Thanks for helping us tonight. Who do we need to call about our cars?”

  “Here’s the card for the towing company we use in cases like this. You should call them around ten tomorrow morning. My guess is that nothing will be moving off of Lake Shore until sunrise.”

  Drew pockets the card. I don’t even bother asking the officer for one because Drew said, “who do we call.” I really like the way that sounded.

  “Thanks again and Happy New Year.” Drew opens the door while reaching for my hand. We’re leaving the vehicle and heading toward the emergency room’s entrance.

  Watch Over Me

  Once inside, I’m surprised to see an empty waiting room. Usually, this place is packed. I’ve been here for minor issues and waited for hours. Hopefully, tonight will be a quick in-and-out visit.

  Drew takes charge and guides me to the registration desk. After all the paperwork and insurance information is exchanged, we take a seat and wait for my name to be called. I’m very thankful to have him by my side, but I’m also not sure if he wants or should be with me when I see the doctor. I bite my lip, worrying about where to go from here.

  “What’s the matter?” He’s watching my teeth push into my lip. For being practically strangers, he has an uncanny way of reading me.

  “God, this is so awkward, but when they call my name, I’ll just head back on my own?”

  “How about I go back with you and stand outside the door. So if you need me for anything, I’ll be there.”

  “Where did you come from Drew? You’re a little too perfect,” I tease.

  He takes my hand in his and I haven’t forgot how good he feels, so comforting. I sigh and lean in closer to him.

  “Perfect would be a better description of you.” He’s so good at turning the tables back on me.

  “See. That’s what I’m talking about.” If I wasn’t holding his warm hand right now, I might believe I was dreaming up this guy.

  “Katrina Williams.” I hear my name being called out by someone. We rise out of our chairs and head toward the nurse across the room. She holds a chart in her hand and has a door propped open with her leg.

  “I’m Katrina,” I tell her when we’re a couple feet away. “That was quick. I just signed in.”

  “It’s the snowstorm. No one is out in this weather.” She appraises us quickly, likely wondering what the heck we’re doing here. Her eyes then read over what appears to be my chart.

  “It says here possible head trauma?” She speaks to us as we walk to a nearby curtained area. It’s a little room with a small hospital bed and some medical equipment.

  “I hit my head when I swerved into a jackknifed bus on Lake Shore. Nothing big, really. I don’t even have a headache anymore.”

  “Lake Shore,” the nurse repeats slowly. “Were you two stranded out there?”

  “Yes, after the bus blocked the lane, the snow started to pile up and no one could move their cars.”

  “It’s all over the radio. They’re saying about one hundred cars are stuck out there.” It’s impossible to miss the concern in her voice. She motions for me to sit on the bed. I obey and notice that Drew is still standing near me. So much for waiting outside my room and I’m glad.

  The nurse takes my vital signs and records them on a page inside my chart. She presses a few keys on a small laptop sitting on a tall table toward the end of the bed.

  “Rest here.” She lightly touches my shoulder. “The doctor should be in in a few minutes.”

  As soon as she moves beyond the curtain, I remember something super important. My mother.

  “Crap. I still haven’t called my mother. She’s gonna kill me for sure now.” I cringe as I imagine her reaction to what I’ll tell her. I’m definitely in a heap of trouble.

  Somehow, Drew has been carrying my purse for me since I registered with the front desk. Truthfully, I can’t even remember handing it
to him. It’s like we’re a couple already. I hold out my hand and eye my purse, which he hands over to me.

  I pull the phone out and call my mother. Predictably, she answers before the first ring even finishes.

  “Kat! Please tell me you’re okay?” I’ve never heard her so worried before.

  “Well, yes and no.” I prepare for her freak out.

  “What do you mean?” she sounds panicked.

  “There was this bus on Lake Shore Drive. It fishtailed and I sideswiped it, but the hit didn’t even set off my airbags.”

  I hear her yelling to my father. He must be in the adjoining room. The only words I can make out are “Kat,” “Wreck,” and “Lake Shore.”

  “That accident is all over the news. Where are you now? Are you still in your car?”

  Now I’m getting ready to tell her the good part. “I was rescued by a tall, sweet and handsome stranger. His name is Drew. He’s with me here at Northwestern’s ER. There was a little bump on the side of head.”

  “How bad is your head?” she asks me. I can hear her repeating everything I say to my father.

  “Mom, why don’t you just have Dad pick up the other house phone?” I hear a little click.

  “Kat, are you okay?” My dear father is worried too.

  “Dad, I’m fine,” I reply.

  “She has some man there helping her.” The way Mom says this leads me to believe that she’s not buying the knight in shining armor story.

  “He was in the car behind me, Mother. After seeing me hit the bus, he had me sit in his car.”

  “Oh, I see.” She’s softening up. I hear footsteps approaching and see a man in a white coat moving the curtain.

  “Mom, the doctor is here. I need to go. I’ll call later. Love you.”

  “Love you too, Kat.” Both my parent’s speak in unison. I glance over at Drew and he’s smiling and laughing. Great, just great.

  The doctor walks toward me with my chart in his hands. “Good evening, Ms. Williams. I’m Doctor Leonard.”

  “Hi,” I reply and see Drew moving toward the doctor.

  “I’m Drew Michaels.” I watch the two men shake hands. It looks like Drew is here to stay. Yay, me.

  “Evening,” responds the doctor. “So you have a head injury from a car accident this evening. Show me where you hit your head.”

  I point to the side of my head and pull my hair away from my bump. The doctor gently rubs his fingers over my skin and starts running through some neurological tests. He says this will determine whether I need to go get X-rays or an MRI.

  Dr. Leonard seems pleased with my answers and results and decides that I don’t need any further treatment or tests. To say I’m relieved is an understatement. Next, he’s facing Drew and I’m getting a little nervous now.

  “I don’t believe she has a concussion, but you need to wake her up every two to three hours tonight. Ask her a few questions each time you do. Like, what her name is, who the President is? Just a precaution.”

  Drew’s grinning from ear to ear and I’m doing the same. This doctor has no idea who we are but he obviously believes that we’re a couple. I can’t wait to see how Drew handles this one. I decide to leave my mouth shut and enjoy the show.

  “Well, I’m pretty sure I can handle that.” Drew’s answer makes me laugh.

  “Good. Here’s a sheet detailing what I’d like to have you do tonight. I know it’s New Year’s Eve, but no hanky panky tonight.” I burst out laughing now. Hanky panky? Did he really just say that?

  Now the doctor’s looking in my direction and I stifle my giggles, though it’s hard. “That’s disappointing. I’m rather fond of hanky panky.”

  The doctor appears shocked and Drew silently laughs. Good to see that my verbal gaffes still amuse him.

  “Well, happy New Year, you two.” The doctor continues, once again looking toward Drew, “Keep an eye on this one.”

  I swear I see the doctor winking and Drew responds to him with a knowing look. Some kind of unspoken guy communication has just taken place and I think it’s also pretty darn cool because I’m the center of it.

  “Will do. Thanks, Doc.” Drew shakes the doctor’s hand one more time and then the doctor leaves us.

  “Well that last little bit about waking me up every two hours was… interesting,” I say. Drew has this sexy, amused look in his eyes. Hmmmm.

  “Yes, very interesting.” He pauses. “So, your place or mine?”

  <*> <*> <*>

  About the Author

  Liv Morris lives in Manhattan with her husband. Her three grown daughters are scattered across the United States. Currently she is working on her first novel and another short story in the “Love in the City” series.

  To learn more, visit: www.livmorris.com.