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Dr Robby looked around the pit, for if anyone needed help or looked particularly stressed. He began to walk towards the men’s room when he glanced back at the nurses’ station. He looked at his watch and sighed.
Walking up to her he said, “Hey, I’m so sorry but I don’t think I’m making it out of here at 7.” She was talking to Dana, who when Robby walked up had patted her arm and crossed to the other side of the desk.
“Oh, that’s okay! I can wait.”
Robby had his hands in his jacket pockets now, looking at the floor more than her, “Well I just don’t know exactly when, it might be an hour or it might be two so I don’t know if you should hang around for that.”
“Okay, I’m sorry. Do you not want to get together tonight anymore?”
He sighed. He didn’t mean to make her apologize. She had met him here a few times before, but today had been hard and he had forgotten about their plans. He never had a chance to call or text her, even if he hadn’t forgotten, to let her know it’d been a longer day and he maybe needed some time alone. He looked at her now. “No, I’m sorry. I would still like to see you tonight.” he paused, then walked to the inside of the nurses' desk. He leaned down reaching for something. “Actually, if it’s okay, you could just hang at my place?” He grabbed his keys from his backpack and stood back straight, half offering them to her.
“Oh, yeah. That's okay.” She reached for the keys. They had been together almost a year but had never been at each other’s places alone. She took the keys.
“I’ll call you when I’m leaving.” He wasn’t sure this was a good idea but he didn’t want to hurt her feelings, and if she couldn’t handle his hours then…he didn’t know. She nodded and he watched her exit and he was just barely able to see her turn towards the street before he heard someone yelling as the next patient was being brought in.
He leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets and eyes on the floor. “Hey!” Dr Abbott said slapping his shoulder, “Why don’t you get out of here before it’s too late?”
Robby looked at his watch, 9:30. “Uh, yeah. Thanks,” he nodded. On his walk home, he regretted sending her to his apartment. He just wanted to go home and sleep. He wanted silence. He knew he should eat but even the thought of figuring out what to eat was too much. He didn’t even think he could manage a shower before bed. He took a deep breath and opened his door. Only the kitchen light was on but it lit up the entryway enough. She was stirring a pot on the stove. “Hey!” she looked over smiling.
“you cooked?” she frowned a bit. “It smells great!” He closed the distance between them and peered over the stove. “Soup?” he chuckled a bit. It was the start of October but the nights were still warm.
“Yes, soup.” She rolled her eyes at him now with a small smile “I bought the ingredients for later but then you didn’t call by 9 and it doesn’t take much to come together so I -”
“I didn’t call at all.” He felt guilty now. Guilty for making her wait, for wanting to be alone, for doubting her ability to make him feel better.
“Well yeah, but I figured after nine you wouldn’t. It’s okay.” His guilt had shown a bit on his face. “I really don’t mind. Gave me a chance to find something to do in your apartment.”
He looked around, “Did you mop my floors?” He noticed the cleaner by the sink now.
“Oh, uh yeah. I mean I was here and the mop was just begging to be used. He likes to keep busy too, ya know.” Her voice was teasing. Micheal felt even more guilty. “Oh stop. Please, I had the time and I love cleaning other people's houses when they’re not home. Like, what a nice surprise to come home to! I’ve nearly broken in at least half a dozen times just so I could do your dishes or something.”
He raised an eyebrow but laughed, “The soup looks great. I appreciate it.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I should shower first.” He said hesitantly.
“You can eat first. The shower will be there when you’re done.” He started to protest but she was already fixing him a bowl. With his first bite, he couldn’t believe that he had considered sending her home. It was nice to come home to someone. He no longer wished for silence. She didn’t ask about his day and never pushed when he did offer how it was. He appreciated that. Eventually, after hours of talking, her telling him about her day or about whatever niche internet celebrity drama was currently on her mind, she would ask about his day and he would volunteer more conversation. It was nice sometimes, most times. Sometimes he didn’t share any more than he had already. But she still never pushed. She would just nod and either keep talking or put on a show.
Tonight, however…tonight it was late and he was already tired. He ended up having three bowls of soup. Two because he was hungry and three because it was really good. They had talked some while he ate. He mostly listened. “Okay. Go shower.” she stood up from the couch and took his bowl. “Ya stink and I can’t take it any longer!” her voice was teasing but he wouldn’t be surprised if he did stink.
She began cleaning the kitchen as he started the shower and he could hear her banging around in the sink. He stood with his head under the water letting the stream run down his face. The warm water calmed him down even more and he felt the tired become heavier. He cleaned himself and toweled off. He tried to listen but now there was no noise outside of the bathroom. He stepped out in the hallway before turning the light out, there was a purple glow coming from the bedroom.
She had talked him into putting LED strip lights around the top corners of the wall above the bed. He had argued he was much too old for something like that in his house. “Too old for convenience?” she had asked. After a few nights of staying over at her place, he had conceded their usefulness. If they spent the night together on the days he had a shift he often woke her up when he turned on the big light, even the lamp was a harsh enough yellow that it would wake her. He put the lights up himself and surprised her the next time she was over. “Hey, those are great! Let’s do pink!” Only once had he put on two different colored socks while getting dressed. Maybe twice. He found her lying on his side of the bed, whatever his side was. They often ended up in the middle together.
Eyes closed, she said abruptly “I’m not asleep!”
He chuckled, “Okay.”
“Was just waiting for you. Resting my eyes.” her words were softer.
He chuckled again, “Okay. Scoot over.” she groaned a little, to mimic whining but did so while following his order. He crawled in and they laid face to face for a moment, her eyes were open now. She smiled softly. He kissed her lips, then her forehead and she closed her eyes again. She scooched down a bit so her forehead rested against his collarbone and her arms curled under her chin. He put his arms around her. She used to find falling asleep this way suffocating and she’d lay awake all night but with him, she never had that feeling. It was comforting. It felt insane.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. His apartment smelled nice, his belly was full, and his body was clean. It was nice being taken care of instead of being the one taking care of everything. It was nice coming home to someone. It was nice coming home to her. Maybe they’d have to have a conversation soon. He could hear her heartbeat and he could feel her body move with each breath she took. Like a lullaby, he fell asleep to her.