I thought about what Lillian proposed yesterday. It sounded too good to be true. If the apartment comes with my job, then that is money I can save. So even if they pay me less I can still get by. I love working with any animals and helping rescue them is a bonus. It just seems way too good to be true.

What if they are doing it because they feel sorry for me. I want no one’s pity. I’d rather sleep in the streets. I know I really have no choice if I want to stay in school and keep a job. I’ll just eat more noodles and save every penny. That way if it doesn’t work out I can at least buy a bicycle to ride where I need to go. I can do this. I hate to depend on anyone, but that’s what I get for not being more careful. I’ve talked myself into it, when the door opens and Lillian, Captain, and I think his name is Shine, walks in.

“Morning, Sunshine. Today you get a new home.” Captain seems awfully cheery.

“Now Jethro, you know we have to wait on her to agree.” But she is smiling.

“Mr. and Mrs. Duncan, I would like to take you up on the job and place to live, if it is still available.” I look away from them. I know it is what they want, but it still feels like a hand out.

“About time you use that pretty head. I took all your stuff to their house last night. I did bring you a bag. Your landlord said you didn’t have a lease, so you are good. Your rent isn’t due for a few more weeks and he said he’d rent it again before then. He’s keeping the fifty- dollar deposit though, something about cleaning fee, but that place was spotless. I just wasn’t arguing over fifty bucks. If you need it, I’ll just give it to you.”

These people don’t let no grass grow under their feet. Shine must not realize I can eat two weeks, sometimes three, on fifty dollars, but it is okay. It’s fair.

“Okay.” I just want out of here.

“Okay, you want it back or okay, it’s okay?” Could he be any more confusing? I look closely at him and he is a very sexy man. He has sandy blond hair with a day or so growth on his face, and the most piercing green eyes. I notice he has full kissable lips which are turned up in a smile right now. He knows I am checking him out.

“Okay, that is fine. That is fair, since I am moving out without notice.” Why is Shine trying to get a rise out of me? “I just want out of here. If they don’t discharge me soon, I will just walk out. No sense in running a bill up higher f I’m just sore, and I can do rest somewhere else.” I swear Shine just growled.

“Don’t worry about the bill, just relax. They’ll be here soon, sweetheart.” Lillian is trying to calm me down. I’m not used to doing nothing or lying in bed, and Shine gets on my last nerve with his bossiness. I am saved from anymore of his input by Dr. Gray and the nurse coming through the door.

“Ms. Walton, you are getting sprung today. I heard you made a couple of laps around the nurse’s station last night and you ate most of your dinner. You can stay for breakfast if you want, but there is a diner up the road with better eggs.” He is smiling today.

“I am giving you my instructions on what to do if you get blurry vision, pass out, or severe nausea. Stay off work at least four days. Your ribs are bruised and I’m sure the discomfort will keep you sidelined. Now let me hear your lungs one more time and then Nurse Kirby will get you out of here and on your way.”

I don’t even have time to ask a question when his stethoscope is on my back. “Deep breath and blow it out. Again. Well, it sounds good. Follow up with your primary care giver and you might want to send for a copy of these records, since you don’t live here, so your doctor will have them available. Anything else?” I grab a hold of his jacket. He’s going so fast I’m afraid he’ll be out the door before I can ask him my only question.

“Can I go back to school on Monday?” It’s not like I would really stay out anyway.

“Yes. Just nothing real strenuous for a few days. No heavy book bags. Your body will tell you what you shouldn’t do.” With that he is gone.

“I’ll be back in about thirty minutes with your discharge papers, but I will take the IV out now, so you can get dressed.” She takes my IV out, then she is gone.

“If you two will step outside, I will help Katie get dressed.” Lillian looks at Captain and Shine expectantly. Captain rises and kisses Lillian on top of the head. He really loves her, and it shows in everything he does. Grammy is the only one I can ever remember loving me.

“We’ll be right outside.” Shine is looking at me when he says it and then he does something that surprises me. He moves over and takes my hand and kisses it. Softly. It is so out of place for the big giant, but sweet. I can’t help but smile at him. Then him and Captain are gone.