In Need of You

Chapter Eight

"I should come see you," Elisha said.

The sounds of footsteps made Sabrina hide her phone. She peeped out of the door of the break room, hoping none of her co-workers were listening to her conversation. "I would love for you too, but you know Dr. Sawyer said that you can't be up too long on that leg."

"For you, it's worth it."

Sabrina smiled. It had been a long time since she talked to someone who was genuinely interested in knowing who she was, what she liked, and what she wanted. Though that was easier said than done, she found herself letting down that wall she built up after Tariq left her and Madeline. "No. It's not. I wouldn't let you do it anyway. Someone has to follow the doctor's orders."

"You're right," Elisha said. "Somebody has to, but that doesn't mean that the rules can't be bent a little bit."

Jennifer peeped her head in the room with the biggest grin plastered over her face. She walked inside the jail cell-like room and sat next to Sabrina. She stared her best friend in the eyes, then took hold of one of her free hands.

Sabrina smiled at Jennifer. "My best wanted to know how you were doing today."

"Tell her that I'm doing well. The medicine makes me drowsy, though."

"Aww, I hate that," Sabrina said. "Just be sure that you're in the bed when you take it."

"It would be better if you were lying next to me."

Sabrina's smile slowly turned to parted lips. The very drowsy yet husky sound of his voice made her excited in areas that hadn't been aroused in years. She cleared her throat. "Um. . . Elisha. . . I . . . don't think that's ideal right now."

"It probably wouldn't be, but I promise you that I would be a gentleman if you were here with me right now."

Sabrina bit her bottom lip, then let it go. She glared into Jennifer's "tell me all the juicy tidbit" eyes. "Then," she swallowed hard. "How about I come see you tonight after work. I could bring Madeline with me if you like."

"Sabrina, are you sure. I don't want to pressure you," he said.

"I haven't seen you since last Saturday," she replied.

"I would love that," Elisha replied. "It would make this week I've been having at home with my little sister go by faster."

Sabrina poked her bottom lip out. "It can't be that bad."

"You don't know Amber," he replied with a chuckle. "This woman is known for burning up a hotdog in a pot of boiling water."

Sabrina laughed. The last time she burned some food her dad took a picture of it and called it his daughter's masterpiece. He even ate it, though he complained of tasting charcoal. "She'll get better at it. Cooking is like," she hesitated, searching for the best word. "It's like learning to ride a bike. Once you know how to, you never forget it."

Sabrina glanced at the clock on the wall. Howard was going to tear her a new one if she didn't report back to her shift in time. After she called in last Saturday to spend it with Elisha, all he had done was give her hell and then some. He made it his personal agenda to fuck with her every which way he could. But, that was Howard. His uptight, wannabe perfect demeanor got under her skin plenty of times, yet it was part of the job. No matter where she went, for that matter, there was going to be a Howard there.

"I've got to get back to work," she said. "I will call you before Madeline and I make our way over to your home."

Jennifer's eyes widened. Nearly every tooth flashed from her wide smile. She threw her hands into the air and waved them about like she had caught the Holy Ghost. Making her way to the snack machine, she flashed Sabrina a thumb's up.