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Oh no Why was she doing this?

“Julia, the whole thing is for you,” I said God, led

The adenerous gift, it’s i a co People froht up to philanthropists like your brother will be inspired to help the hospital”

“Oh, right I forgot for a minute that I’m inspirational” The bitterness in her voice was a surprise She looked out theThe hospital was surrounded by acres of parking lots, and the cars glittered in the sun “Fine,” she sighed “What do I have to do?”

The administrator and the doctor jumped in to tell her all the parts of the project that needed her participation Photo shoots,a commercial, that kind of stuff

I didn’t need to say anything, thank god I still felt like I’d been pole-axed How did it happen that she alking again, and why didn’t anyone tell et over it The relief And the hope This one little seed of hope had always been planted in my heart, and it was like someone just watered it

And her physical presence kept knocking reen eyes, the swell of her breasts under the loose scrubs It tookscrubs She had one of those plastic nas on a ribbon around her neck, and under her na red letters, “Student Nurse”

She was in nursing school, apparently I was impressed Befo

re, she was the most squeae of steak would ot over that

The ad up his papers, and the doctor whipped out his phone Thewas over

Julia looked my way, and her eyes met mine for a fraction of a second before her lips twisted and she looked away “Nick,” she said, dis me

She got out of her chair in one smooth motion and headed for the door

“Julia, wait!” I called out

She didn’t

I left my papers and my briefcase behind and followed her into the hall “Julia, please I want to talk to you”

She turned on me, her face as ferocious as a wild cat’s for a second, and then blank A ht now,” she said “I’ical floor”

“Can I take to you dinner then?”

“No, thank you,” she said Cold as ice

“I just need to talk to you”

“What is it exactly you need to say?”

When she asked me flat out like that I could barely think “Just… I’m sorry I’m really sorry”

Her sy needed I’m fine now”

“I see that, but I still need to tell you We need to talk about the accident, about—”

“I have talked about the accident, Nick, and I don’t need to talk about it any ’s fine And I have to go” She turned and walked away, her steps going faster and faster until she hit the stairwell door almost at a run

I followed When I opened the door, I expected to hear her footsteps pounding down the stairs below, but she was right there She had her back against the ce As soon as she kneas there, she took her hands down and straightened up, looking away from me so I couldn’t see her face

She was so close tomemories of her face, her presence, it was alht in front of her I could smell her, the same Julia-smell she’d always had, and the past washed over me in a wave of scent I don’t know if it was perfume or shampoo, but it was kind of floith so bouquet of candy, and I just wanted to bury my nose in it A lock of her honey hair was stuck to her cheek She still wouldn’t look at me

I reached out to smooth that piece of hair back, and touched her face She finally met my eyes My thumb found that tiny mole beside her mouth and I stroked her sweet face with just the tips of ers For one instant, one split second, she leaned her face into my hand