Merging Spirit and Body

We walked to my driveway where we had left Jeremy's car.

"Oh crap, I hope Mom doesn't come out and see your car. She thinks we're hanging with the guys," I whispered.

"Yeah, and my mom thinks I'm with you, but if she calls your mom and finds my car is out here, then what?" Jeremy shook his head.

"We'll just be quiet. You put the car in neutral and I'll push it to the end of the driveway. You can start it down there. She's probably asleep anyway."

Jeremy got inside while I pushed the car from behind.

Once on the street part of the driveway, I jumped in the passenger's side and we drove to the hospital.

He parked the car behind the hospital dumpsters.

I grabbed the pouch with the mirror and together got out and walked toward the service entrance.

"From this entrance, we can take the service elevators," Jeremy said. "From there, we take the hallway that leads to the intensive care unit where Laurel is."

I went to open the door. "This door is locked. And aren't the doors to those critical care units normally locked too?"

"Yep," Jeremy answered.

"Well, if they're locked, how are we getting in, genius? Remember that no one can see what we're doing."

Jeremy pulled a keycard from the back of his pocket and flashed it at me. "I worked here last summer, remember? My friend in security kept it active, genius."

I smiled. "Okay, you're the man."

"That's right. Here, I'm the man because this is my hood!"

"Fine, got it." I fought my impatience to keep the peace. We lowered our heads. With deep breaths, we stretched our backs and sat straight. The exhaustion and stress from our rescue mission were starting to take a toll on us.

Jeremy walked to the back door and opened it using his keycard. He looked over his shoulder at me and nodded. Jeremy tiptoed slowly; I followed his pace as if we were dancing ballet.

The voices of two older men echoed down the hallway, heading in our direction.

Jeremy looked for a route to escape. He walked a few steps. There was another door, also requiring a keycard.

I stepped forward, but Jeremy shook his head, indicating that his keycard did not work on that door. He turned around and started to walk toward the back door again.

I was confused but stayed behind him.

"Hey, you!" The men call out to us.

Great, now what?

Jeremy turned around. "Hey, guys, it's me, Jeremy."

The men recognized Jeremy right away. "Jeremy? How are you? What are you doing here?"

"I was accompanying my mom. She was seeing Laurel. This is my cousin, Hunter. We're just leaving."

The men, dressed in green housekeeping uniforms, turned to me and extended their hands for a handshake. "Nice to meet you."

"Oh, darn," Jeremy exclaimed. "I forgot to give Mom her cell phone. I need to run back for just a minute. She can't live without it." Jeremy pulled out his phone and showed it to the men.

"You better get that to her or she'll kill you. But you better hurry. She may be gone already."

"I know. C'mon Hunter, let's go." Jeremy signaled me to follow him. "Nice seeing you guys," Jeremy shouted.