Brian unlocked his front door, stepped inside, and flicked on a light. His recliner swung around revealing a smug looking Nick.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?”

Brian jumped, slightly annoyed. Nick loved scaring the hell out of him. “Oh my… Do you ever go away?”

Ignoring Brian’s questing, “Where have you been all night? I’ve been worried sick about you.” Brian rolled his eyes and started up the stairs to his bedroom. Nick jumped up, quick to follow. “You could have at least called, but no you have to worry a poor guy to death. I thought something terrible happened to you!”

“Nick, shut up.”

“So what happened? Details please.”

“You’re such a girl.”

“Bite me.”

“Where?”

“Don’t you dare! Abby might get jealous. So, you gonna tell me or not?”

“Nothing happened. We ate, talked, and watched a movie until she fell asleep.”

“Uh huh, suuuuure. That’s why you’re just coming home at eight in the morning. Hey, why’d you leave her? And why in the hell are you only wearing one shoe?”

“I couldn’t find it this morning. I have a feeling that Sasha stole it.” Brian pulled his shirt off over his head and rubbed the back of his neck. “Their couch isn’t very comfortable for sleeping.”

“You did it on the couch?!”

“Nick! I told you that nothing happened. We’re just friends.”

“Whatever, Brian. I know you want her, you just won’t admit it.”

“I’m getting in the shower.”

“That’s right, you go wash all the Abby lovin’ off your body,” Nick said then ran out of the room before Brian could hit him.

***

When Abby got to work, most of the kids were already in the entertainment room. One of her kids, a 10 year old boy named Sean, was sitting on the floor playing a Playstation game. Abby sat down next to him, but he didn’t acknowledge her presence.

“Bad day?” she asked after a few minutes of silence. Sean kept playing. “Gonna ignore me?”

“Jason got to go home today.”

“Oh, I see. You should be happy for him.”

“I am kinda. I mean, it’s cool that he finally gets to go home, but it just sucks ass.”

“Hey, what did I tell you about saying that?”

“Make sure there are no nurses around if I want to swear?”

“Sshh! You’ll get me in trouble. But I swear if I hear you say the F word, I’ll strangle you myself.”

Sean tried not to smile, but the corners of his mouth curled up. “You’re a nut.”

“Yeah, well I try.” They sat quietly for a few moments, Sean wrapped up in his game, Abby just watching the movements on the screen. A second later she reached over and turned the game off.

“Hey! What’d you do that for?”

“This is boring. Let’s play air hockey.”

“But I was winning!”

“Too bad, it’s over now so let’s go.”

Sean followed Abby to the air hockey table and she slid him the puck to start. They were just getting into the game when Deb came in and tapped Abby on the shoulder. She had the biggest grin on her face.

“There’s a young man at the nurses station here to see you.”

“Who is it?” Abby asked, hit the puck, and scored.

“He said that you would know.”

“Okay… well… send him back here. I’m in the middle of a game.”

Deb left. Sean scored.

Abby was getting the momentum going to score when all of a sudden everything went black, and Sean scored again.

Brian removed his hands from her eyes and turned her around. “You really suck at this game.”

“Well, hello to you too,” she said taking the puck out and hitting it to Sean.

“He’s kicking your butt.” Abby didn’t respond. “You’re mad at me.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are.”

Abby stopped playing and looked at Brian. “Do you want me to be? Because I can easily do that if you want.” Sean easily scored.

“I don’t want you to be mad at me, but I can tell that you’re not happy with me.”

“Brian, I’m fine. I’m not mad at you or unhappy with you or anything like that. I promise.”

“Abby, are we gonna play?” Sean asked.

“Just a minute Sean. Now, what did you come here for?”

“I came to apologize for leaving…”

“You already did that in your note.”

“But I want it to actually mean something. I felt that it was rude of me to leave without telling you in person.”

“Okay, then apology accepted.”

“Abby, I don't feel that it really is accepted so you have to promise me something.”

“What?”

“You let me take you out.”

Neither of them noticed Sean walk over to then and take the puck.

“Brian, you don't have to.”

“I want to.”

“What did you have in mind?”

Brian answered her with silence and a smile.