“Do you want the truth?”
“Of course.”
“Don’t freak out, but I’ve been Kevin’s home nurse for days now. Before that, I ran into him at the hospital.”
Joey’s eyes widened in shock. “Wait, you’ve been in contact with Kevin for over a week, and I’m just now hearing about it?” Her hurt was evident.
“Believe me, I didn’t mean to keep you in the dark. I didn’t want to think about him. Then things got more complicated when Dr. Shepherd assigned me as his home nurse. It’s been a nightmare.”
Joey was silent for a moment, processing the information. “That’s quite a coincidence. What are the odds Dr. Shepherd would pick you out of all the nurses?”
“If I’d asked to be reassigned, Dr. Shepherd wouldn’t listen,” I explained.
“Well, I’m still upset you didn’t tell me sooner. I thought I had news,” she said, her expression a mix of disappointment and concern.
“I’m really sorry about that.”
“It’s fine,” she said, her face brightening with a new thought. “But here’s the kicker: Kevin’s looking to make major investments in real estate. We’re talking millions of dollars. I didn’t know he was that wealthy.”
“Good for him,” I said, though my tone was flat.
“Do you know how I found out? Take a wild guess.”
“Your company is handling it?” I guessed, not particularly interested.
She nodded eagerly. “And if this investment goes well, he’ll partner with us on more projects. This is just a test run.”
“I’m happy for you, Joey. Really.”
Joey’s expression shifted from excitement to concern. “So, has he said why he didn’t reach out to you all these years?”
“He tried apologizing and asked to talk, but I turned him down,” I said curtly.
“Why? Don’t you want closure at least?” She asked, her concern evident.
“I don’t know. I’m just not interested in whatever he has to say. He doesn’t owe me an explanation or a half-hearted apology.”
“Of course, he owes you an apology. You two were a thing. The whole town knew about it. It’s not something you can just dismiss like it’s no big deal,” Joey argued.
“I suppose it’s my way of coping… avoidance. It feels safer.”
“I beg to differ. How long can you avoid this, especially when you’re his caregiver?”
“I’m doing my best to keep my emotions separate from my obligations,” I said defensively, though I knew it wasn’t entirely true. I had to fake it until I made it.
Joey scrutinized my face. “That’s a big, fat lie.”
We fell into a contemplative silence, the weight of our conversation hanging between us. Joey’s concern was evident, but I was equally determined to keep my emotions at bay.
“Maybe you’re right,” I admitted finally, my voice softening. “Maybe I’m not handling this as well as I thought. But right now, I need to focus on my job and not let my personal feelings get in the way.”
Joey reached across the table, squeezing my hand reassuringly. “Just remember, Licia, you don’t have to go through this alone. I’m here for you, no matter what.”
“Thanks, Joey. I really appreciate it,” I said, feeling a swell of gratitude.
We spent the rest of the evening talking, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. The tension from our earlier conversation eased, replaced by the warmth of friendship and the comfort of shared moments.
As I drove home later that night, I reflected on our discussion. Joey’s words echoed in my mind, and I couldn’t help but feel a mix of anxiety and resolve about facing Kevin again.
