Round 38
ROUND THIRTY-EIGHT
OLLIE
A week after my sister’s flash visit, I walk the halls of the hospital in my ninth hour of twelve, counting down the seconds until it’s time to clock out and head home again.
But the twelve aren’t so bad these days.
Not when, every now and then, my phone pings and it’s Rose’s name that fills my screen.
I’m cooking dinner tonight. Don’t panic. It’s starting to offend me.
Does it cost you money every time I text? Or is this one of those unlimited calls and texts plans kinda things?
And does it get you in trouble when I text?
Because I can stop.
Smiling, I stop right where I am, halfway between two rooms, and type a response.
Me
Don’t stop. Twelve hours feels like a fuckin’ lifetime these days, but knowing you’re not so far away makes it a little easier to deal with.
If you have dinner under control, then I trust you. But just FYI, for no reason at all, there’s a fire extinguisher in the pantry, bottom left side. Smoke alarms are tested annually.
If something goes bad, don’t worry about saving the house, just get out. Insurance will cover the rest.
Rose
Your trust is stifling. I’m blushing.
ROSE - March 31. 9:56am
I don’t want to sound forward or anything, but do you think I could get a key to your house?
I KNOW how that sounds! But I swear, it’s not because I’m officially moving in or taking over. I just kinda want to head into town sometimes, but that means I can’t get back in again until you’re home.
I promise, I’ll give the key back as soon as you ask for it. It can even live on a hook in a shared space in the house, and I’ll only grab it when I’m heading out. As soon as I’m back, I’ll put it back.
Me
Check on top of the drawers in your room.
You hardly spend time in there anymore, which means you probably haven’t seen it. But it’s there. I had it cut weeks ago.
Take it. Keep it. It’s yours.
ROSE - April 4, 12:17pm
I miss you.
That’s it. That’s all I wanted to say.
Your house is beautiful, Ollie. But only when you’re in it. The rest of the time, it’s cold and lonely and makes me want to stick myself with the fire poker.
ME
Please don’t stab yourself with the fire poker. My house is beautiful, I agree. But only when you’re in it.
ROSE: April 7th, 8:23am
I found a stray kitten in your backyard.
8:24am
OLIVER! It’s just a baby, and it’s meowing and sad and scared.
8:55am
I called Raquel, since you’re busy, and she said to tie a cute ribbon around its neck. That way, you wouldn’t be able to refuse.
9:12am
However, Raquel and I ALSO agreed that manipulation is not okay. So I didn’t tie a ribbon around its neck.
9:13am
But it was cold, so I grabbed a pair of my socks and cut holes in one of them. So now the kitten has a whole outfit. Which means it’s not cold anymore. I’m adding the socks to my list of things to pay you back for.
9:46am
I’m not attached, I swear! But the kitten’s been here for an hour now, and she’s sleeping in my hoodie pocket. Isn’t that the most adorable thing you’ve ever seen?
9:47am
[pic attached]
10:18am
You haven’t replied to my texts about the kitten. Are you mad?
1:53pm
Okay. It’s been five hours now. Message received. Are you mad? You’re mad. I’ll call around and see who else can take her.
1:59pm
[pic attached]
2:48pm
I called the vet, and since it’s nice out, I walked into town and had her looked at.
First of all, she’s a she. She’s not microchipped, and no one reported missing any kittens.
I also searched all around your house, under the deck, behind the decrepit greenhouse, and in the chimney—ya know, just in case.
2:49pm
I can’t find any other kittens or a mommy cat looking for her baby.
2:51pm
The vet said she’s old enough to have normal kitten milk and wet food.
3:33pm
I’m sorry I made you mad. I left the kitten at the vet’s office. They’ll find her a good home.
ME - 4:34pm
I’ve been in surgery all day, babe. I called the vet and paid the adoption fee. Go get her. Bring her home. That way, even when I’m not there, the house won’t be as cold or lonely.
ROSE - April 9th, 10:45pm
The kitten pooped outside her box.
10:46pm
I’m cleaning it up! I’m sorry. But in her defense, she was IN the box when it happened.
She just needs to work on her aim. She’s still learning.
10:54pm
What should we name her?
10:56pm
I think you should do the honors. It’s your house. Your kitten. I’m just the nanny who sleeps in your bed and enjoys the perks.
ME - 11:03pm
Call her Poopy McStinkypants. It suits her.
ROSE - 11:05pm
Absolutely not! She’s regal and beautiful and far too classy for such a silly name.
ME - 11:07pm
I thought you said I get to choose?
ROSE - 11:09pm
I changed my mind when I realized how ridiculous you are.
ME - 11:13pm
Joke’s on you. I needed to put a name on the adoption papers. She’s technically, officially Poopy McStinkypants. The ink is already dry, and registration has already been filed with the county. Too bad, so sad. Go to bed. It’s late.
ROSE - April 15, 12:38pm
Poppy says heyyyyyy.
12:38pm
[pic attached]
12:39pm
She’s totally nailed potty training.
ME - 12:43pm
You mean POOPY says hey?
ROSE - 12:47pm
Poppy. You misspelled it on the papers. It’s okay. You can’t be perfect at EVERYTHING.
ROSE - April 21, 5:15pm
I got a job today.
I skid to a stop amid afternoon rounds, while the hospital bustles around me, and Janine merely smirks, shaking her head as she passes. Because we’re back on the same shift—hallelujah—and she’s entirely too observant.
Not so hallelujah.
ME - 5:17pm
What do you mean, you got a job? How? Where?
ROSE - 5:19pm
It just kinda happened. I was in town with Poppy and chatting to people. One thing led to another, and here we are. I start Monday.
ME - 5:21pm
HOW? You don’t have ID, Rose! You don’t have a bank account. You don’t have a social security number.
What kind of criminal bullshit enterprise has offered you a job when they know full well it’s not legal?
ROSE - 5:21pm
It’s with Cliff. He needs secretarial help. Managing his appointments, processing payments, following up on unpaid invoices, all that sort of stuff.
He said I can work from your house if I want, or I can work from his office in town. Or both, depending on how I feel each day.
I can bring Poppy anytime I want. And he said he’ll talk to you about payment, but that he’s happy to pay cash until my stuff is sorted, or he can pay you, or he can withhold payment until I’m settled.
He said he’s good for it, and that you would vouch that he is. So whatever I want to do, he’s happy to roll with it.
5:23pm
Holy cow, Ollie! I got a job!
5:26pm
Actually, he could probably just pay you for the first little while anyway. I still have that list of things I need to pay you back for, and I don’t think Poppy’s adoption fee has been added.
And her food. And her toys and clothes, and the cute little bowtie collar I couldn’t resist when I was in town the other day.
5:29pm
Do you get an alert on your phone every time I buy something? Because I swear, I only go into the bakery and get coffee when I absolutely can’t help it. It’s so good. But if it annoys you, I’ll stop. Either way, every single coffee is on the list, too.
5:34pm
Also, Alana got a whole new shipment of stock yesterday. And since I know you like to buy from her to assuage your misplaced guilt, I grabbed a whole stack.
If you don’t feel the need to do that anymore, because you’ve forgiven yourself and feel better about that whole situation, then I’ll add the books to my list.
If you haven’t accepted what the rest of us already know, then I saved you the trip into town.
5:43pm
I think Poppy ate a fridge magnet! Oh my gosh, Ollie. That’s bad, right? That’s really, really bad!
5:49pm
Whew! False alarm. It was on the floor. All magnets are accounted for. Ignore my last text.
5:51pm
I miss the crap out of you, just FYI. Nine minutes until your shift is over. I wish I was cool enough to say I wasn’t counting. But I am. I always do. Come home quickly. Drive fast. Drive safe.
ME - April 25, 2:15pm
Hey. So I just got a call from Billy. I’ve been keeping him up to date each time you remember something new, like Darcy, and how you said you were named Rosaline for your grandma. And how we’re reasonably sure you have a college education, since you’re so smart.
Every little bit we give him helps. He said he’s pushing his search wider. And even though the interview on the news was a bust, he’s gonna see if he can get it broadcast a little further out. I just wanted to update you.
ROSE - 2:19pm
I woke up in the hospital two and a half months ago. And it’s not like I walked from a thousand miles away. So wherever I came from, it can’t have been too far. That implies the news coverage is as wide as it needs to be.
2:20pm
Maybe I’m just not a person anyone else cares about. Two and a half months is a long time, and those tip lines have been completely silent except when whack jobs think there’s money in it for them.
2:21pm
How is it possible I’m a grown woman with no one in the world willing to call up and say hey, that’s Rose. She served me at ______ insert whatever my job was. Do I have no parents? No siblings? Not even a bitter ex-boyfriend mad that I _______ insert whatever I did to piss him off.
2:23pm
The longer this stretches out, the more convinced I am of the dropping out of the sky theory. But I’m not waiting for the call anymore. I’m dreading it.
2:25pm
Because no matter who is waiting for me—if that person even exists—I kinda prefer the life I have now. Me and you and Poppy and the gym and Cliff and my job.
2:26pm
I’m aware I continuously spam reply to you. It’s weird, I know. I’m sorry. I just always have a lot of thoughts, and you’re always so gracious about it all.
2:28pm
Three and a half hours until your shift ends.