Like Nobody's Business

It's Cheap to Pay Attention

Alexander Nixon

I scurried through the halls looking for anyone who resembles Nayeli with my security detail surrounding me from all angles. I released a breath when I finally spotted the dark curls who was standing facing a doctor. I could tell it was her as soon as I was close enough, the distraught voice confirmed it was her. I waited until they were finished with their conversation before approaching her.

"Mr.Nixon, you were the last person I was expecting to see." Her face held a small smile, the smile that I love to see. "Are you here alone or for someone else?"

"I'm here for you actually, I was informed by one of my employees that you weren't coming in today due to a home emergency."

"That's very thoughtful of you but you really didn't have to come all the way here—how did you even know I was here?"

"Is your mother okay?" I ignored her question.

"I appreciate you being here but you don't have to---how did you know it was my mother?"

"I overheard the doctor." Her eyes kept locked with mine before she tore them away.

"They're gonna keep her until tomorrow just to ensure everything is okay but right now she's resting. She has this condition call Lupus I'm not sure if you ever heard of it before."

"I have read about it actually." I only did after Adivia told me about it earlier.

"Well she wasn't really sun smart this morning, she wanted to feel the sun on her skin." The small smile on her face faded and automatically mine did as well.

"You look tired, why don't we get you something to eat before you go back in?"

"I don't want her to wake and I'm not there. I'm always here when she does I don't want her to think..."

"How about I have someone deliver to you?" I cut her off, she didn't even answer me she just stared at me and I could see the curiosity in her eyes.

"Why are you so kind to me?"

"I can assure you I don't want anything in return.." My sentence was cut short when she giggled.

"I know you don't want anything from me because I don't have anything to give to you. I don't.."

"Delivery it is." I was growing tired of our little game of interrupting each other. "This conversation isn't going to end well so I won't entertain it. Don't ruin a good friendship here." I opened the door gesturing for her to follow inside which she did without resisting. Her mother was asleep just as she said and her skin was a deep red.

Nayeli explained what it's like living with Lupus, I never for a second didn't listen. I found every last bit of information interesting as she somehow when from talking about the sickness to her political views on healthcare in the US. As I listen to her speak while we ate I realized how smart and educated she is, I'm beginning to question her choice of work.

"You're underemployed." I watched her chewing slowly avoiding eye contact.

"I didn't get to go to attend college, stopped after high school." She finally said after a prolonged moment of silence.

"What about scholarships?" I raised the bottle of water to my head waiting on her to answer.

"Didn't care to go back to school so I didn't apply, I just wanted to take care of my mother." I nodded in response.

The sheets began to move and her mother began sitting up in bed, we both stood and I watched Nayeli walk over to the bed then after a few seconds the beautiful lady laying in bed looked at me with a smile.

"Alexander, you're more handsome in person." She grinned at me stretching her hand for a handshake which I gladly gave.

"It's nice to meet you Ms.Binns." She corrected me and told me to call her Sonya. I spent the rest of the day at the hospital with Nayeli and Sonya, not once did anything work-related crosses my mind. It was nothing but laughter and joy as the three of us shared some of our funniest stories.

I felt stress-free.

When I'm around my family it's always so much going on, mainly with my brother always starting something. It feels fucking ecstatic to be around unproblematic people.

Nayeli left to make a quick run to the bathroom, it was now just me and Sony before the doctor joined us.

"Alexander Nixon, it is a pleasure to meet you. Dr.Colesly." He grinned shaking my hand firmly then going right to Sonya to check on her.

"The pleasure is mine doctor, thank you for taking care of this wonderful woman." I thanked him and a few moments later Nayeli entered the room.

"Look at this party? Where's the booze?" I stifled my laugh at her terrible attempt at a joke.

"I'll leave you party animals to have fun, I'm heading to check on my next patient." Dr.Colesly shook his head playfully while exiting the room.

"Actually I have to head out as well, today was fun." I rubbed Sonya's hand and hugged Nayeli. "Both of you be safe, I'm giving you permission to stay home tomorrow just incase your mother needs help."

"Thank you Mr.Nixon, I can make up for this time by working overtime."

"Take the day off you'll still be paid." I rushed through the door scanning the halls for Dr.Colesly, when I finally recognized his hair I jogged to catch him up.

"I wanna clear the debts they have at this hospital without them knowing it's me," I said as soon as I was next to him.

"Why do it anonymously?" He questioned facing me.

"Nayeli would never want me to pay it for her so just do her a favor a send the bill to me."

"I'm sorry I can't do that without her permission." He sighed.

"Yes you can and you will. Imagine their surprise to know they won't have to worry about covering those bills anymore?" I took the pen from his hands and reached in my pocket hoping to find something to write my email address on. When I pulled my hands out my pocket it held a $100 bill, I wrote my personal email address on it before handing it to him and disappearing down the halls.