Pretend hearts, real love

5: A Pro

glowering down at the half-hearted rebellion of her espresso machine. It wheezed and hissed like an asthmatic dragon, hacking up a me

of the hospital prevailed. Charlotte's mornings working as Communication Director at Portland Medical Center

her cup, Charlotte gave it a tired thumbs-up. "A+ for effort," she growled and tentativel

ays, could have been sent on a post-it note. Charlotte sighed, tucked her phone into her blazer pocket, and grabbed her keys. She had a full day in front of her

each other years, and when she spoke of her mom, there was a heartbreaking delicacy in what she said which didn't compute with

that quiet courage in that little

rochure like it was a grenade set to detonate. The crayon-colored block print mocke

g, and a smile wider yet, and asked if this time she wouldn't be sitting alone. And what could he say? That her f

loathed that Sarah had left him. And loathed most of

r and glared at the ceiling. "I

s a joke. At least, tha

ly's return visit with the hospital, they ha

rse's station when the sound of a voi

Dr.

den in front of her, his hand cradling Emily's. Emily smiled up

yteller," Charlotte teased Emily with a w

ar I didn't fall off

tickers for your brav

is throat, awkward. "Uh, do

tablet. "I've got five mi

. I mean can we s

quieter section

mily wandered over to the children's reading area nearby, h

, arms crossed. "You look like yo

rubbing the back of his neck. "Listen, I know

brow. "Okay. I'm

t week. She's never had anyone come before except me. She

face softe

to teach her some twisted lesson in lying but the thing is, s

nked. "She wa

. I

halte

weird. Just as someone. A friendly face. Someone who can

rds. Any words. "You want m

will be cookies and crayons and hideous kinderg

person to act mom and

om else I should call, though. And I wouldn't c

ild had slid off her shoes and now was sorting the cuddly

even considering this

t want to do it, that's okay. No hard feelings. I'll co

at him. "Don't tr

re is a

. "Let me consider it. I require time.

lly f

wkward silence

nd to introduce me? Wife who conveniently l

umanitarian taking a break' but yo

e lucky I don't work in HR. This wo

rgarten macaroni art.

ned to her rounds. "I'll call you tomorrow. And

bout m

g. But s

hite coat swinging with intent. And perhaps, just perhaps,

o

who was reading to a stuffed bunny now. "Do

me, the stakes

at was just the t