A Thief in the Night

6 | Carbohydrates

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"Got me in my feelings, mm. What the hell you doin' to me? I can't help what I'm feelin'. Yeah, 'cause I'm falling down like a summer rain"

~ Tell Em (Singular Act II)

GRACE

I held the phone up against my ear, shaking as the dial tone sounded off. The sunrise was beautiful, but I couldn't focus long enough to admire it.

"Hi, this is Gigi, leave your message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible." I groaned as soon as the message started, my head hanging low. I tried calling again but was hit with the same monotone message. I haven't talked to her in days. Usually, I'd text her and she would give a short reply. It was better than nothing and it was enough.

But not today. I needed her today. Being so far away from the rest of my family and close friends was hitting me hard right now. I'd just lost a patient that had been on my floor for about a week and a half. He was my first loss on this job here and it made me feel so alone. This wasn't new to me. I'd been a nurse back home and had dealt with so many losses. But this was especially hard.

Gigi not answering worsened the pain in my chest as I sat in my car, trying her one more time. This time the phone only rang once before I got that voicemail message. A sob burst through my lips when I realized she'd ignored my call. I thought about calling friends from back home, but knew it would be useless. I wanted to not be alone right now and there was no one else here.

I groaned, flicking away my escaped tears. I hated the way I was feeling. This was new to me and I had no idea how to handle being so far away from everyone.

I mindlessly scrolled through my messages, thinking about Max, my parents' golden retriever. He's technically the family dog, but Gigi and I have both moved, so they have full custody. As I thought about maybe getting a dog to keep me company, I ran across James' name. My heart sped up. We haven't talked since about a week ago when we had dinner at his place. I thought he would message me to follow up on taking me to the restaurant he got those burgers from, but he never did. It stung a little, but I knew his life was more complicated with fame. Plus, he hadn't given me a reason to expect more so I assumed he'd moved on.

Now, though, he was the only one in NY that I knew besides my sister and co-workers. Desperate not to be alone, I dialed his cell before I could rethink it.

I almost thought he wasn't going to answer. On the last ring though, he picked up. "Hello?"

Chills ran down my spine at the roughness of his voice. It was deeper than before and I realized suddenly that I may have woken him up. "Hey."

"Who is this?"

Thoughts about how he'd probably forgotten about me crossed my mind and my heart almost plummeted. "Uh, it's Grace."

"Oh, hey, how have you been?" Recognition lit up his voice and relief washed over me.

"Good, I guess. You?"

"Not bad," he replied, oblivious to the turmoil in the pit of my stomach. "So, what's up?"

Right, I called. Not him. I cleared my throat before speaking, suddenly so nervous that I couldn't fully trust my voice. "Do you want to have breakfast with me? It's pretty early, but I need company." Then, hearing how the words must sound, I facepalmed. "Oh my God, that sounds wrong. I mean platonic company, not...that."