Our New Normal

Part 8: First Come First Serve

He swore he had it in his pocket.

He put it in there before leaving his office.

But it must've fallen out on his jog to the lobby to meet Sharpe.

Going to the gift shop, Max looks around and Maria- the shop keeper-watches him closely.

"Dr. Goodwin? Can I help you find something?" She asks kindly- the girl who can't be any older than 26, smiles and offers her assistance.

"Yeah...actually." He says looking at the bouquets and case of jewelry. "I had bought this little silver bracelet with an H on it. And I seemed to have miss placed it. I was wondering if you had a second I could purchase."

"Of course." She goes to the case and opens the panel underneath the glass and pulls out a dainty little sterling silver chain bracelet with a tiny little H pendant on it. "Do you want a box?"

"Yes, please." She wraps it up in a small red box and hands it to him.

"Anything else?" Looking at the bouquets, he wonders if it would be too much to give her flowers and a bracelet.

"No, I think that's it."

"Alright $54.50." Max sighs and takes out his wallet- paying for this bracelet twice. "Have a good day Dr. Goodwin."

"Thanks Maria." He takes off running through the halls to try and find Helen, but just as he's about to get in the elevator, someone calls to him and he turns to find Iggy coming up to him.

"Hey! Max! Can I get your opinion on something?"

"I'm kinda busy." Max says a bit impatiently.

"This will only...oh...you're in your tux already? Nice. You look good, Man."

"Thanks. What did you need?"

"Oh! Right, I need you to come help me with a patient real quick."

"Huh...okay, let's make it quick."

***

Helen has been rather product today.

She visited with five of her patients, discharged four from her care due to excellent health, and took on two more.

Looking at the clock, it's about time to get ready, so she locks her door and begins to strip out of her regular clothes.

She is a little excited to be going to an event after months of Isolating.

Though she is nervous to be in attendance with everyone, but at least with her mask on she'll be protected.

Zipping up her dress, she begins finishing up her hair and there's a knock on her door. Going to it, she unlocks the door and finds Cassian standing there in a white suit jacket and black pants with a black dress shirt and bow tie.

"You look beautiful."

"Thank you. You look very dashing yourself." Cassian smiles and from behind his back he presents a tiny red box to her.

"I think this will make your outfit complete."

Looking at the box, she doesn't know if she should open it or not.

"Oh Cassian, you shouldn't have." He grins widely and hands it to her.

"I wanted too. Go on open it." Smiling, she opens it up and finds a beautiful sterling silver bracelet with a tiny H pendant on it.

"Oh, Cassian, it's so lovely. Thank you. You really didn't need to do this." She beams and he puts it on her left wrist.

"Beautiful. Ready to go?"