Free Intersection by Nancy Ann Healy Page B

what was next, but she knew one thing, even if it was impossible for her to fathom. ‘I think I love you, Cassidy O’Brien,’ she silently admitted to herself.
    Cassidy was reluctant to leave Dylan’s room. Once she had managed to let go of the agent she turned back to her sleeping son. “Alex…how am I?” She couldn’t finish her thought, overwhelmed by the array of emotions coursing through her. Why was this happening to them? All she wanted was for the agent to hold her and never let go. She tried to breathe but Alex could see that she was struggling to process things. The agent felt more helpless than ever before in her life. She wanted to take Cassidy back into her arms and tell her what she felt; that she would sooner die herself than to see this woman in any pain.
    Alex spoke softly and placed her hand on the woman’s shoulder. “I know you don’t want to leave but you need to get some rest, Cassidy.”
    “How can I leave him…even here?”
    “You can’t stand here all night.”
    “I can’t leave him.” Cassidy’s tears began to fall again as she stroked his head. Alex sighed and looked upward. She moved past the woman in front of her and lifted the boy into her arms. “What are you doing?” Cassidy asked.
    “I’m putting him in your room so you can sleep…or at least rest.” The agent walked out of the room and down the hallway.
    Cassidy stood still, watching the woman leave the room. She cupped her face in her hands and tried to process everything she was feeling. “Deep breath,” she said to herself and headed down the hallway. Alex was covering Dylan with a blanket when Cassidy reached the doorway. She stopped for a moment and forgot everything that had just happened. Alex had a concerned smile on her face as she slowly pulled the blanket over the boy. She was looking at him with such compassion and, ‘love’, Cassidy thought. Alex took a deep breath and moved to face Cassidy, both finding it difficult to move. Finally Cassidy smiled and walked to the far side of the bed.
    The agent bit her bottom lip gently and forced a smile. “Get some rest,” she said beginning to head for the door. Before she could make her exit, she felt a hand on her arm.
    “Alex…” Cassidy’s voice was barely a whisper. The agent closed her eyes and struggled to compose herself before facing the woman. Slowly she turned and took in the sight before her; green eyes pleading for some type of comfort. “I,” Cassidy fumbled her words. “Can you just stay here….for a while?”
    The agent thought that her heart had stopped beating momentarily. Cassidy looked at the floor and Alex inhaled as much air as she could handle. Emotions filled her so deeply that she felt as if there was not enough room inside of her body for even air to breathe. Cassidy kept her gaze down untilthe agent tenderly prompted her chin to rise with her finger. “Come on.” The agent slowly led the woman to the bed and turned down the covers. Cassidy just looked at her. She knew that this was no time to be having the thoughts that seemed to be filling her head. They were thoughts she had never had before. She looked at the agent, afraid that her heart and mind were written across her face. Alex gently coaxed the woman’s jacket off her shoulders. She patted the pillow, “go on,” she instructed quietly. Cassidy climbed in, still in her clothes and too emotional and exhausted to care. Alex pulled the covers up over the woman. “I’ll be right here,” she assured. She grabbed the large chair from the other side of the room, pulled it next to the bed and draped the jacket over it. Cassidy watched as the agent sprawled in the chair and gave her a smile. “Sleep now,” Alex said sweetly.
    Alex watched as Cassidy drifted off slowly. She could not sleep, only watch. Cassidy had captured her heart and Alex was sure now it had been from the moment she saw her. The teacher’s jacket hung behind the agent’s head, and as she shifted in