Delicate

Countdown

Serenity waved off her last patient as they walked up the ramp that led to the waiting room. She looked around the activity area as her coworkers were prepping to go home. Her supervisor walked in and called everyone to the center of the floor. "We've chosen the two who will go to Los Angeles. Everyone here comes to work and does their absolute best and we really do have a team that we're proud of. Narrowing it down to two people was extremely difficult for us, but we managed. I want to thank everyone for the great work they do here day in and day out. I know this job can be very stressful but it's very rewarding. We've left the letters in the lockers of the two that have been chosen. So congratulations to them. Have a nice evening everyone". The supervisor walked back into his office and the six of them looked at each other eagerly.

The six of them rushed into the employee break room where the lockers were located. They all frantically unlocked their lockers. "I got it!" Dani yelled as she waved the letter around. The group clapped for her. As Serenity opened her locker, a letter fell to the ground. She picked it up and slipped it in her bag before anyone could notice. "Anyone else get one?" Jack asked. They shook their heads in a disappointment. "Then it must've gone to either Miriam or Tom. Lucky bastards". Serenity grabbed her purse and waited for Dani to gather her things so they could leave the building together as they always did. She sat at the table as Dani threw various items in her locker into her purse. The last coworker said their goodbye and left the room.

Serenity watched her close the door and pulled the letter out and opened it.

Ms. Reed-Kaufman,
Congratulations! You have been selected to participate in our exclusive training program with our new partner, Manner-Meyer Medical Care, in Los Angeles, California. Your flight to Los Angeles will depart on September 14, 2019. All accommodations have been made for you.

Before she could finish reading the letter, Dani touched her gently on the shoulder and spooked Serenity. "Is that the letter?" she asked. Serenity nodded and smiled widely. "Why didn't you say anything?" she asked, slapping Serenity on the arm. "I don't know. I wanted to keep it to myself for now". Dani nodded as Serenity folded the letter and put it back in the envelope. She stuck it back in her purse as she stood up and walked out the building with Dani. "I had a lot riding on this and I'm so excited. This is really amazing news," Serenity smiled. 

"Oh you'll get to see your boyfriend," Dani teased as they walked to their cars. "Yes! I haven't seen him since June. It's been really hard these past few months". Serenity lowered her head and then immediately picked it back up with a smile. "But now we'll be in the same city and I can see him just about any time I want. As long as he's available," she laughed. Dani unlocked her car door and opened it. "Well call him and tell him the good news. I have to go home and tell my husband that he'll be responsible for two crazy teenagers on his own for a month," she chuckled. The ladies waved goodbye as Serenity got into her car. 

She enabled the Bluetooth and dialed Kyle's number as she pulled onto the main road. "Pick up, pick up, pick up," she said frantically to herself. "Hey!" Kyle said. "Oh my gosh, hi. I have the best news". Serenity couldn't contain her excitement. "What is it?" he asked. Serenity cocked her head back in confusion. How could he not remember this? "I got accepted to go to Los Angeles!" she enthused. "Oh really? That's great! When do you come out?" he asked. "The flight is on the 14th. I didn't get to read the whole letter but I'll read through it later on and let you know all the details". 

Kyle was hiding his excitement. They hadn't seen each other in three months and he was looking forward to finally being able to see each other. He just wanted to hold her in his arms and kiss her forehead. He knew how much she loved those. Kyle decided that even though Serenity preferred the smaller displays of intimacy, he would do something elaborate for her. Just to show how much he liked her and appreciated having her in his life. "I'm just happy you'll be here for a month. Maybe while you're out here we can make it Instagram official?".