Fragile Hearts

23: Movies and Popcorn

It's been a couple of weeks since Morgan tutored Kaylee and I've been hanging out with her and Lucy. Lucy is great—and great for Morgan. I invite the girls to the movies and even agree to watch a chic-flick.

As I lift Morgan into my arms to put her into the cab of my truck, I want to kiss her. Instead, I gently graze my fingers across her cheek where the scar is barely visible and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Her eyes widen and she leans away. I want to run the tip of my tongue across the scar and then taste Morgan's mouth. I've got to get a handle on my emotions.

In the theater, Morgan wheels to the handicapped section directly in front of the screen, and I frown. She's way too close. I tell her to grab my neck because I'm taking her higher up. Lucy stows her wheelchair while I climb the stairs carrying Morgan. She smells like vanilla and cinnamon.

I ask her how high she wants to go and she tells me as high as we can. I know we're talking about seating, but there's another meaning to the words that makes my blood rush.

We munch popcorn and drink sodas and I'm very surprised at how much I like the movie. It's witty and romantic and I place my arm around Morgan's shoulders, giving her a squeeze. She smiles shyly at me and I feel gut punched at the innocence of it.

That night, as I lay in bed, I try to comprehend my feelings for Morgan. She's not like any girl I've ever known. I'm not proud of the fact that for a long time I was pretty wild and slept around. It wasn't until my sophomore year in college that I finally buckled down and got serious. I've never had a problem getting good grades, so fear of flunking wasn't the reason for my change. If anything, I finally let my guilt motivate me into helping others. I was tired of living without purpose. That's when I decided to become a physical therapist. From my sophomore year until now, I've been a model student...well, almost.

That first day of school, when I came face-to-face with Morgan, my world tilted on its axis. At first, I determined to steer clear of her; I didn't need the old guilt trip ruining the rest of my life. But I couldn't stay away; she was like a magnet pulling me ever closer. Since we've become friends, I want to be around her all the time. She's shy, funny, witty, and yes—I can't lie to myself any longer—sexy as hell. Of course, if I were to tell her that, I'd scare her away.

I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling. I only have two options. If I want a relationship that's more than friendship, I have to tell her the truth about my role in her accident. But if I don't tell her, I need to stay away from her because, God help me, I won't be able to keep my hands off her. I'm fucked.

I stare at the ceiling for a long time before falling asleep with nothing resolved.

The next day, I invite Morgan to visit Kaylee with me because the girl keeps asking about her. Morgan made a big impression on Kaylee.

After school I go to Morgan's dorm to pick her up. I knock on her door and play a joke by leaning down and sticking my eye against the peep-hole. She looks through it and then laughs as she opens the door. She says, "I'd know that eye anywhere."

"And how would you know it?"

"It's the new color—sexy blue."

I think we're both shocked by her words.

She stutters, "Ah, ah, that's what Lucy said the first day we all met."

She's so flustered that she makes me grin. I repeat, "Sexy blue. I like that. But what about you, Morgan; do you think my eyes are sexy blue?"

"I think you're trying to fluster me."

"Is it working?"

"No—not working."