“Yep, but I already snarfed my food and I’ve still got a little time left. And it’s fine, nothing too eventful.”
“Well, I imagine that’s overall probably a good thing in a hospital.”
“Very true,” he chuckles.
Joel’s an X-ray tech at Greenlawn General Hospital, so an “uneventful” day means no horrifically shattered femurs or swallowed foreign objects, which can only be a positive if you ask me.
“So, guess what I just saw coming down the street?”
“A parade?”
I giggle. “Yes, they just marched a giant parade down little Lavender Lane,” I drawled sarcastically, “No, it was a moving truck. Looks like whoever bought Wanda’s old place is finally moving in.”
“Oh, yeah? Any sign of them yet?”
“Not yet, just the movers. And it’s not like a U-Haul or one of those do-it-yourself-ers, it’s an actual moving company.”
“Well, I’m sure they’ll show up before long.”
“I hope so, I was gonna take over a plate of cookies,” I explain my silly desire.
“So, you were already baking? Does this by chance have anything to do with something I said last night?” he teases me.
“It just might.”
“You are the best.”
I laugh. “Oh, please. You’re the one who’s been taking care of me, only fair I give a little something back.”
“Kris,” I can hear the scolding in his tone, “How many times do I have to tell you? You don’t owe me anything. I love you, and I love being able to take care of you in whatever way I can.”
“I still feel better when I’m contributing more.”
“You’re contributing plenty,” he assures me, “You’ve kept the house immaculate-”
“With your help,” I add.
He scoffs. “Vacuuming a few times a week and doing the dinner dishes is barely helping. You feed me breakfast and dinnerandpack my lunches for me, plus spoiling me with baked treats at least once a week. You make sure I’ve always got everything I need on my way out the door, you keep everything stocked in the house, so I’ve never run out of literally anything…you contribute plenty, sweetheart. It's not all about money.”
“Well, thanks.”
“But I know you’re restless and want to get out of the house,” he says, “Maybe you should look for some volunteer work or something while you’re waiting on places to call you back.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” I muse, “If nothing else, it helps fill up the gap on my resume.”
“I could see if there’s anything here if you want,” he offers.
“Can’t hurt to ask. Thanks, babe,” I reply brightly.
“You’re welcome, glad I could help,” he says, “So…chocolate chip?”
I laugh. “Yes, of course. And I also made a few others…”
“Oh, really?”
I tell him about the other varieties I’d experimented with, and he laughs. “Sounds like you had some fun. Can’t wait to try them all.”
“Anything special you want for dinner? I don’t have anything thawed, but I used the last of our eggs, so I’ll have to run to the store later anyway.”