“Sorry about that,” he said. “So, how are you this morning? You look … rested?”
“Well, kind of. Believe it or not, I went on a date last night.” “You had a date?” He stopped dead in his tracks and grabbed
her arm. “With whom, may I ask?”
“I’m almost afraid to tell you,” she said. Dr. Wall stood his ground in silence, waiting for her to speak. “Okay, it was with Nick Harris.”
“Oh, dear Lord.” He shook his head and turned toward the hospital entrance. “Tell me you’re joking! The man’s a playboy, for God’s sake.”
“Well, he used to be. But that was before his mom died. He’s changed his life.”
Dr. Wall held the door open. “Here’s a little secret: men don’t change. He won’t. I won’t. We won’t. We just don’t change.”
“You have a low opinion of your gender.”
“It’s the gender I know best.” He took a breath. “You think he’s going to change from a skirt-chaser to an altar boy? Really, Shel, please. Be careful.”
“He walked me to my car last night and didn’t even try to kiss
me. Not even on the cheek.”
“It wasn’t your cheek he was after.”
“I think you’re wrong on this one, Doc,” she said, picking up her step so the door didn’t hit her as it slammed shut. “That thing still not fixed?” she said aloud. “Anyway, you just might be as surprised as I am.”
“Isn’t this the same guy you told to jump in a lake yesterday morning?”
“Yes, it is.” She smiled.
“I thought he was a stalker.” “Didn’t we all. Now, enough.”
As they approached the nurses’ station, Doris stood up with files in one hand, phone messages in the other. “These are for you, Dr. Wall.” She then scooped up another pile of papers and messages and held them out for Shelly. “Why so happy this morning, Doctor?”
“I had a date last night.”
“Praise to Jesus. And with whom?”
“The animal they call Nick Harris,” Wall interjected.