figures. First I’m one of the few whose ankle injury requires surgery. Then of that group I’m one of the rare ones whose wound becomes infected. Maybe I should play the lottery. It seems I’m winning all the odds.”
Jessica smiled. “I’ll call the doctor. I’m sure he’ll want you to come right in.” She called the doctor’s office and left a message with his answering service. A short time later a nurse called back and when Jessica described her aunt’s ankle, the nurse suggested they go to the emergency room to have it looked at immediately as the surgeon was in surgery and wouldn’t be available to look at Ellen’s ankle until later that day.
Within an hour they were waiting to be called back to see the physician on duty. A short time later, when Ellen was taken to an exam room, Jessica went with her. It didn't’ take long for the physician to pronounce that the ankle was infected. “I’d like to check you in to the hospital and start an intravenous treatment,” the doctor said. “I think your recent bout with the flu must have weakened your immune system.”
Jessica stayed with her aunt as she was checked in and taken to her room. Once Ellen was settled, they inserted the IV and began the treatment.
“I’m rather tired, Jessica,” Ellen said. “Why don’t you go on home. I know you have work you need to do, and I’d like to sleep.”
“Are you sure? I could bring my laptop here and work.”
“I’ll sleep better if I’m not worrying about keeping you here.”
Jessica knew she really did need to focus on getting some work done, or her employer would find someone else to do the project. “Okay. I’ll go back to the house, but promise you’ll call me if you need me.”
Ellen smiled. “I promise.”
“Okay. I’ll be back later today.”
As Jessica drove home, she thought about how her aunt hadn’t been feeling well before she hurt her ankle, and was worried that her body might have trouble fighting off this new threat.
I’m sure the hospital will take good care of her, she thought as she turned up the drive to her aunt’s house. As she passed through the trees, the house came into view and Jessica felt her heart give a jolt when she saw Kyle’s truck parked out front and him sitting in the front seat. In all the excitement of getting her aunt to the hospital and then getting her settled, she’d completely forgotten that Kyle was coming to the house to begin work.
She parked her Honda and took a moment to gather herself before climbing out of her car. Kyle had gotten out of his truck and was standing next to it. Jessica walked toward him but stopped about ten feet away.
“Is everything okay?” he asked. “I got here a little while ago and no one was home.”
Keeping a safe distance, she said, “I had to take Ellen to the hospital. Her ankle is infected.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He glanced toward Jessica’s car. “Are they keeping her there?”
“For now, yes.”
“Does she still want me to go ahead with the work or does she want me to wait until she’s home?”
If only, she thought. “She didn’t say anything about waiting.”
Kyle smiled and his eyes seemed to sparkle. “Then let me get my gear and I’ll get started.”
Irritated that his smile still had the ability to distract her, she frowned. “I’ll be working so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t interrupt me unless it’s an emergency.”
“Sure thing, Jess,” he said, still smiling.
“I’d rather you didn’t call me that.”
When he didn’t respond, she walked past him and up the porch steps, then let herself into the house. After booting up her laptop, she tried to immerse herself in her programming project, but when Kyle walked in the house carrying his tools, she found herself looking toward the entry where he stood. Their eyes met and he smiled again.
“Don’t let me interrupt,” he said, then he went up the stairs.
Jessica turned back to her work, but every time
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