Page 81
Story: Nocere
"Nothing."
"Nora and I aren't lifers, Sami. Our dynamics apply to scenes or when the two of us decide. They don't apply to Rosie. Remember that." Caroline spoke some sort of code that I interpreted to the best of my ability.
Sam's silence continued, though the sounds of the hospital in the background told me she was still on the line. The call screen flickered, and it switched from voice to video call. I smiled when Sam's pretty face filled the screen. Coupled with her blue scrubs, stethoscope, and hair pulled back in a low ponytail, she epitomized beauty even in her work attire.
"Hi," I said, my smile broadening when she finally smiled.
"Hi, baby…"
I turned the phone so she could see Caroline across the desk. Caroline tossed her a playful salute and Samirah chuckled.
"Long day?" asked Caroline.
"Yeah," answered Sam as I held the phone in a spot where we could both see her and she, us. "But my girlfriend sending me flowers blew my mind and made everything better." A smile curved her maroon-hued lips. "Thank you for that, Rosie. It was very unexpected."
And again, my cheeks burned, but this time I could see myself blushing in the small image in the corner. "I hoped you'd like them."
"I do." Sam leaned over and sniffed the roses. The arrangement appeared even prettier than it had on the website.
"Those are very pretty," said Caroline, smiling when she leaned her chin on her hand. "Nice taste, Rosie."
"Thanks." My face felt like it would explode any second.
"See her blushing, Sami?"
"I do." Sam chuckled and continued to stroke the petal of a flower.
"You look tired, Sam," I said, drawing the attention away from me.
"I am. I'm doing a double tonight, then off the rest of the week. I'll nap between shifts," she said, her gaze returning to the camera. "Will you meet me at home tomorrow after work?"
"Of course."
Sam paused for a moment, gazing at something beyond the camera. "Look who's here."
"Who?" asked Caroline.
The camera shifted and Sam pulled Stella into the frame. They shared a laugh and Stella waved. "Hi, lovelies. How are you?"
"Good. It's nice to see you," I said, chuckling at the two of them. Stella tossed her arm around Sam's shoulder and the two of them made faces in the camera.
"Dorks." Caroline grinned at them and they made me laugh harder.
"I'm here to shuffle this one off to take a rest." Stella messed up Sam's hair on purpose. "We're going to have lunch first."
"I like that plan. Samirah, listen to Stella," I said, grinning at my own boldness suddenly.
"I will. I'm starving and tired." Sam released her and pointed in front of her. "Look what Rosie sent me." The two of them shared happy chatter and Stella aww'd. I couldn't stop myself from smiling while I watched them. Caroline nudged my elbow and grinned. I nodded, reveling in the notion that I brought Sam a moment of feeling special. Everyone deserved to feel that way sometimes, and I made a commitment that I would continue to find ways to make Sam smile.
"Have a good rest, Sam," I said when we wrapped up our call.
"I will. See you tomorrow, baby." She blew me a kiss and I nearly melted. "Thank you for my flowers."
"You deserve it." I blew her a kiss right back. "Bye."
"Bye."
***
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81 (Reading here)
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 119
- Page 120
- Page 121
- Page 122
- Page 123
- Page 124
- Page 125
- Page 126
- Page 127
- Page 128
- Page 129
- Page 130
- Page 131
- Page 132
- Page 133
- Page 134
- Page 135
- Page 136
- Page 137
- Page 138
- Page 139
- Page 140
- Page 141
- Page 142
- Page 143
- Page 144
- Page 145
- Page 146
- Page 147
- Page 148
- Page 149
- Page 150
- Page 151
- Page 152
- Page 153
- Page 154
- Page 155
- Page 156
- Page 157
- Page 158
- Page 159
- Page 160
- Page 161
- Page 162
- Page 163
- Page 164
- Page 165
- Page 166
- Page 167
- Page 168
- Page 169
- Page 170
- Page 171
- Page 172
- Page 173
- Page 174
- Page 175
- Page 176
- Page 177
- Page 178
- Page 179
- Page 180
- Page 181
- Page 182
- Page 183
- Page 184
- Page 185
- Page 186
- Page 187
- Page 188
- Page 189
- Page 190
- Page 191
- Page 192
- Page 193
- Page 194
- Page 195
- Page 196