Free Accidental Love by BL Miller

"Oh, that was good. I've forgotten how tasty Chinese food was." The theme music for Jeopardy began on the television followed by the host introducing the contestants. "So you didn't answer me. Did you have a good rest?"

    "Yes, I slept very well, thanks." She turned to catch the deep blue eyes of the older woman.
    "Thanks for staying until I fell asleep."

    The nurse returning interrupted their picnic. She took one look at the two empty boxes and the guilty looks on the women's faces and frowned. "You really shouldn't be bringing food into the hospital," she chastised. "Miss Grayson, you're not on any special diets, are you?"

    "No. I'm sorry. I asked her to bring it," Rose said, trying to take the blame.

    "In the future you really should stick to the food we serve. Our nutritionists work hard to design a meal…"

    "Who is Abraham Lincoln," Rose blurted, her attention on the show and not on the lecture she was receiving.

    "Naw, it was Johnson."

    "No. He didn't take office in February, he took it in April." The host verified that Rose's answer was correct complete with the dates that the presidential succession took place. The nurse looked at the two women focused on the television and gave up her attempt to explain why the Chinese food was not as good for a patient as hospital food. She left the room knowing full well where she was going to go on her dinner break.

    Just as the theme music was ending the announcement came over the loudspeakers that visiting hours were over. "I guess that's my cue to leave," Veronica said reluctantly. "I'll see you tomorrow." She stood up and picked up her jacket. "Oh, I almost forgot." She reached into the pocket and pulled out a business card and pen. "Let me leave you my number in case you want to call or if you want me to bring you anything." She scribbled her private phone number down on the back of the card and set it down on the bed tray before picking up the empty food boxes and bag. "Really, if you want or need anything, just give me a call. I'm usually up until eleven." She smoothed an imaginary wrinkle on the blanket before donning her bomber jacket. "Rest well, Rose. I'll see you tomorrow."

    "I don't want to keep you from your work."

    "Trust me, I'd much rather be here than there. I'll be by sometime after breakfast. Remember what I said. Call me whenever you want to, even if it's just to talk." Just to be sure, Veronica pushed the phone a bit closer on the side table.

    "Thanks. Good night, Veronica."

    "Hey, call me Ronnie. All my friends do," she said with a smile.

    "Ronnie. Good night, drive carefully." Rose did not notice the look that flashed across the older woman's face before being covered with a fake smile.

    "Good night, Rose."

    ********************

    Ronnie was curled up in bed with Tabitha laying next to her, when the phone rang. A quick glance at the clock told her that it was almost eleven. "Hello?"

    "Um…hi, it's Rose. I hope I'm not calling too late."

    "No, no you're not calling too late at all." She sat up, much to Tabitha's displeasure. "You okay?"

    "Yeah, I um…I guess I just wanted to…see how Tabitha was," came the lame excuse. Ronnie smiled, propping a pillow behind her back and leaning against the oak headboard.

    "The purr machine is fine. You want to say hi to her? She seems to think that wherever I am is a good place for her to be." Without waiting for an answer she put the phone near the cat. "Say hi to Mommy, Tabitha." She held it there for a few seconds before putting the receiver back to her ear. "Did you hear her purring?"

    "Yeah." Ronnie could feel the smile through the phone and in turn smiled herself. "Is there anything you want me to bring tomorrow? I'll probably be there around ten or so."

    "Um…if it wouldn't be too much trouble, do you think you could check my mail for me?"

    "Damn, I completely forgot about that. I'll have to stop at the post office and put a forwarding address in for you before that jerk Cecil starts going