Bucket List of a LIfetime

Chapter 7

. I am close to the tattoo shop where Simon works so I decide to drop in for a visit. I walk in the door with two Mocha Caramel Frappes. I sit one of them down in front of Lavender who is on the phone. She mouths a thank you and motions to the back. I head back finding Simon sitting at his desk drawing up a sketch.

I sit down on the edge of his desk watching him concentrate on what he is doing. I wish that he would turn all that concentration on me.

What brings you here he suddenly asks?

I just left the hospital and I didn't have anything else to do so here I am. What are you working on?

I am sketching the tattoo for my next client.

It is going to beautiful. Do you think that I could watch?

Sure I don't think that he would mind. Someone had some fun after I left last night.

What are you talking about?

That big hickey on your neck was the guy a vampire.

Partly I think and it was a moment of weakness on both of our parts. He showed up after you left last night in need of a shoulder and one thing led to another. It wasn't supposed to happen and will never happen again.

I have had a couple of those nights. It usually leads to things being pretty awkward afterwards.

Not in this case. We are really good friends.

Simon your next appointment is here.

Send him on back.

In walks one of my nurses who help with my chemo.

He stops short when he sees me sitting there. Savannah you are looking good. How have you been baby doll?

I am doing good Liam. How is that beautiful little angel of yours doing?

I am going to have to beat the boys at day care off of her. They follow her around like she is their Queen.

I don't think you have to worry about her. She is one tough little girl.

We are having her fourth birthday party this weekend. You should come. She would love to see you.

I will try to make it.

How are you doing Simon? How do you know Savannah?

She is my sister's best friend.

He is Georgie's brother I tell Liam.

You ready to get started Simon asks?

You don't have a problem with me watching do you Liam?

No we can catch up with what you have been doing and who the lucky guy is.

I never kiss and tell Liam.

Me and Liam talk for the whole two hours he is there.

After Liam leaves Simon asks would you like to grab some lunch with me. This is the only chance I will have I am booked up the rest of the day. You are my last appointment so I can spend more time on you today if you want me to.

Sounds good to me what do you want to eat?

There is a really good Chinese place not far from here if you are interested.

I love Chinese. How long do you have before your next appointment?

I have a two hour break.

We walk beside each other in silence. Simon opens so I can enter.

Table for two the hostess asks?

Yes Simon says and we follow her to a small table in the corner.

What would you like to drink?

Dr. Pepper if you have it I tell her.

Make that two Simon says starting to look at the menu placed in front of him.

Is something wrong I ask Simon?

How close are you and Liam?

He is the nurse that administered all the chemo treatments I had for two years. When you go through something like that together it makes a person a really good friend. He is a very happily married man with three children. I don't see how close I am with Liam bothers you?

I don't know why it bothers me either but it does. Can we just forget that it bothers me and enjoy our lunch?

I just say what are you ordering?

They have really good shrimp fried rice here which is what I usually get.

Can I take your order our waitress asks sitting our drinks in front of us and pulling out her pad.

I will have a large order of shrimp fried rice.

I will have the beef and broccoli with vegetable fried rice and a small order of your wontons.

I will have it out shortly.

Simon reaches over and brushes a strand of my hair out of my face pushing it behind my ear causing me to draw in my breath and butterflies to take up residence in my stomach.

There is something about you that draws me to you. I know you are going on this long road trip and don't know when you will be back so I am trying to distance myself from you. Do you feel it too?

Yes I say quietly getting lost in Simon's eyes. My phone rings breaking the spell and I pull it out noticing that it is Levi. I need to take this I tell Simon. Hello.

They found him. He almost made it out just two more minutes and he would still be alive. I should have made sure that he was ahead of me. This is my fault. I lost my best friend and it is my fault.

Listen to me Levi. Marco's death was not your fault. He would not want you to blame yourself.

I just need to clear my head. I am heading home for a while.

Please do not do anything stupid Levi.

I won't I just need to see my brother. He will understand. He lost a friend in battle and blamed himself.

Do what you need to do Levi. I am here if you need me. Take care of yourself Rookie.

Is everything okay?

I don't think so, but all I can do is be there for him. Levi blames himself for Marcos death in the fire. They were supposed to be together and they got separated in the smoke. Levi thought that Marco was in front of him. The building collapsed right after Levi got out. Marco didn't make it out.

That has to be tough. Do you need to take your lunch to go?

No he is headed to his brothers right now. He will be able to help him the most. I sit lost in thought until our food is placed in front of us.

Are you okay? I know that you considered Marco a friend.

I will be. I don't think that it has really hit me yet that he is really gone.

Get Georgie to stay with you tonight.

She can't she has the night shift at work tonight.

I could stay over if you need me too. I can sleep on your couch.

My couch is way too small for you to sleep on. If you don't mind staying my bed is big enough for the both of us.

I wouldn't have offered if I minded. I will need to stop by my place and grab some clothes. I will do that after your appointment. You are my last one.

Thank you so much you are a really great guy Simon I say taking one of his hands from across the table and giving it a squeeze. I try to let go and Simon tightens his hold on me.