I’m excited as exit the elevator. I think about pulling Andy in a supply closet and having my way with him. I’m practically vibrating with need as I finally make it to the cancer ward when it hits me. I have to stop because it feels like something has a vice grip on my heart. I can’t breathe. All it takes is to see a female patient with a hairless head to be reminded of just where I am and all the memories flood back. I lean against a wall wondering how Andy does it. How can he stand to be here? It hurts me so much and I know he wants to help people beat this nasty disease. I know that. I steel my spine and control my breathing. This is part of the package, Cate. If you can’t deal, you need to walk away from him.
I conjure an image of Andy in my head. He’s worth it, I tell myself three times then I straighten and begin to walk. There is a gaggle of nurses animatedly chattering at a nurses’ station I pass. They remind me that it’s not all death and total destruction of the heart on this floor.
“She’s with him right now,” I hear one of them say.
Gossip is a fact of work life, I think. I should call Mandy and see how her weekend went with Daniel. I have to remember that even with Jenna not in town, I’m not alone.
As I turn a corner, a flash of movement down an alcove catches my attention. I have to cover my mouth to stop the gasp of air from escaping. The wild cap of dirty blonde hair above a blonde sporting a ponytail is enough for me to make out Drew with his lips attached to another woman. I don’t waste time as my feet squeak on the tiled floor. I run and this time it’s with good reason.
On the sidewalk outside, a blast of frosty air hits me. Snowflakes begin to fall and I try to decide if I should set up another Uber or just take one of the taxis waiting at the curb. I am downtown and cabs are plentiful. I head over and get into the first one in line.
“Where are you headed?” An older guy who reminds me of my Dad asks.
“DC.”
“Whoa, lady, that’ll cost you. The Marc and Amtrak train station is only a few blocks away. It would be a lot cheaper.”
I could catch a train to Union Station, and then take the subway home. I have a feeling none of the cabbies will want to make the trip and it might be faster than waiting for an Uber to show up after I book it. “Take me to the train station then. And thank you for the tip.”
“No worries. We’re heading into the holiday season soon. We all need to save our pennies.”
I nod, grateful for some friendly and honest people. Luck is with me. An Amtrak train will arrive in minutes. The ticket is less than twenty dollars, which is a steal. The ride gives me time to wonder what’s changed about Andy. He’s clearly not the person I remembered, but then again, neither am I. That night, I barely sleep and make it to Ted’s office feeling ragged.
“He will see you now,” his admin advises. Her perfect smile is a little too perfect to be real. However, my brain is sleep deprived and I can only hope to get through this meeting without making a fool of myself. My words are a jumbled mess in my head. My points all seem pointless.
“Cate,” Ted says halfway to the door to greet me.
I let him take my hands and I give him a professional shake.
“Have a seat.”
His office is massive and the row of windows behind his desk give a perfect view of the Capitol. His desk looks heavy and made of solid wood. As he sits, he looks every bit the commander and chief of his domain. I plant myself in a chair that’s more modern than the desk and set my bag on the floor. I admire the artwork splashed around his room, and I mean that literally and not figuratively. Each canvas boasts a splash of abstract art. However, the longer I stare I start to see shapes and maybe objects within the chaos.
“You like art, Cate?”
I snap my head in his direction. “I’m not an avid art lover but yours is so unusual it catches the eye.”
He nods. “They are done by a local artist. I was lucky enough to persuade her to part with them.”
I can imagine his persuasion and decide not to ask any more questions.
“So,” he begins. “I received a copy of your report. It seems you believe Jeffery and his team are doing a good job.”
“I do.”
“And you weren’t swayed by your fondness for them?”
“No sir,” I said beginning to feel like a scolded child.
“Sir? Cate, I’m not that much older than you. Call me Ted.”
“Of course. Ted it is.”
“Your only recommendation is to have a set of written policies and procedures.”
I nod.
“Great. According to your boss, you also majored in journalism. I think you would be perfect for documenting that process.”
“I—”
“I’ve already worked it out with your boss. We will be seeing more of you here.”
I shut my mouth. As much as I balked about writing in school, I do enjoy it. “Okay,” I say enthusiastically. “However, I do wonder if I could borrow the team and a conference room.” I hold up the shopping bag. “I brought a peace offering. I know they will be upset when they find out why I was really here.”
He nods. “I think Jeffery is going to miss you. He’s raved about how wonderful you are. He’ll have to start the interview process over again.”
I want to know about the beef between him and Jeffery but don’t ask. I begin to get up.
“Cate, just one more thing.”
I sit back down.
“I hoped you could help me out. I would like it if you would join me Saturday evening for a charity event.”