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Why does he always say my name like that? In that cold tone? He’s gone before I can react.

What the heck is happening?

I need somebody to tell me I'm not having a hallucination right now. I grab my phone and text River.

Becca: You're not gonna believe what just happened.

River: What happened?

The reply comes in seconds, she must have been holding her phone.

Becca: Professor Dick left here a minute ago.

River: What?

Becca: Professor Dick was here.

The phone vibrates in my hands, and the screen shows River's face. I tap the green button to answer the call.

“What? What do you mean Professor Dick was there? Where are you? What did he do? What did he say?”

Wow, take a breath, girl. “I mean exactly that. I'm at work, at the bar, and he showed up. Asked for a beer, drank it and left.” But that wasn’t all, was it?

“That's it? He said nothing else?”

“Well … we talked a little.”

“I knew it!” River shrieks so loud I have to pull the phone from my ear.

“Knew what?” There’s nothing to know. Or is there?

“I knew he has the hots for you.”

“You’re insane.”

“Nope. I know these things. He’s hot. You’re hot. You two are gonna burn the sheets! It will be like KABOOM and WHOOOSHHHH.” She makes special effects sounds and giggles.

“No! He’s a professor. Of ethics, no less. He would never, ever get it on with a student. Ever!” I'm already regretting calling her. River will never let me live this down.

“I call dibs on the maid of honor spot—”

“You really are insane.”

“And you have to name all your babies River.” She goes on as if I hadn’t said a word. I have to laugh. River never knows when to stop. I need to put the breaks on the delusion train and stop the madness.

“I have to go, River, it’s getting a little busy here.”

“Coward.” Yeah, she got me there, I don't want to talk about this any longer.

“Forget I said anything. I have to get back to work. Bye now.” I hang up before River has a chance to say anything else, but my mind lingers on what she said. Especially the burning-the-sheets part. Sound effects and all. And I’m not averse to it. Not at all.

Chapter Eighteen

Tension melts awaywith each step I take closer to the babies. The NICU is my happy place. Most people wouldn’t think of a place where at-risk newborn babies are kept as happy, but for me, these babies are a clean slate, a haven, a home for second chances. And God knows I need all the second chances I can get.

I’m about to get into the scrub room when the text message comes. I'm not surprised to see his name on the screen. My father has been texting me every couple days.

Robert: Good morning, Becca.