KC took a moment to download email before she crawled to the showers. Fatigue didn’t ensue exactly but instead her tiredness stemmed from boredom and a restlessness she couldn’t identify. She watched for a moment to make certain the mail would transmit then turned to gather her shower things.
At least a shower was something to do. It was too early for bed, but too late for supper. Which she ate an hour ago. She wasn’t hungry, just bored.
KC wanted to do something constructive, but who knew what that would be? She whiled away most of the day in the on-site laboratory, and that helped, but she’d finished all the work there. (The first time since she’d come nearly two months ago.) She made her rounds, several times. Grateful no one was getting hurt in battle at the moment, KC could breathe a great sigh of relief. But the inactivity pressed until the place began closing in on her. KC realized she needed something to do, but what was the million dollar question.
She showered, feeling apathetic, not like herself at all. By the time she returned to the sleeping tent, she noticed no one about. Tonight was movie night, so most of the residents would be there. But the movie wasn’t one that would hold her attention and she couldn’t see wasting time watching a movie she had no interest in.
Like she’d found a good substitute. Frustrated, KC rolled her eyes and flopped down on the cot. She bounced up again however, when she noticed the laptop. Maybe her email had downloaded.
She saw a message from Max and plopped into the chair with the first bit of genuine interest she had experienced all day. Reading through his message made her smile, laugh, and feel that familiar weight of homesickness.
Mitch had explained all this to her. But he also had been gone for whole months on end. His work was nearly constant. From what she gathered, he had spent the majority of his time in the field, and the precious few days he lived on base had been passed catching up with email and paperwork and DVDs.
KC never expected to have days with barely anything to do. Yesterday, they couldn’t keep up. Now today – nothing. She clicked on the attachment and soon lost herself in the contract. Grateful to have something productive to do.
Max needed this, and she had some civilian business to pass the time between now and bedtime. And, with the concentration she needed for the terms of the contract, she should be tired enough to actually sleep.
When Janine and the others wandered in from the movie, KC waved a hand, but kept her attention on the laptop screen. Max’s concerns had been correct, as usual. She tapped out instructions on how to change the wording.
To: maxmorrison@gilmoreproducts.net
From: kcgilmore@gilmoreproducts.net
Subject: The needles contract
Attachment
Hello Max,
Thanks for sending me this contract. I definitely have the time to look over this type of document, and am quite happy to do so. I’ve been feeling extra bored and restless today, so this work was welcome. Please send whatever you can like such.
My thoughts on this contract are in the body. Your suspicions were not only valid, but excellent, as well. If the potential supplier does not agree to your terms, walk away. There are many other suppliers out there who will comply. And these terms are ridiculous. They’re trying to pull a fast one. I’m already leery of such a company. If they willingly change the terms, then we can stick (no pun intended) with them. Otherwise, look for someone better.
I’m glad you fellows will take part in the Annual Morrison Leaf-Raking Day. I wish I could be there. But am grateful I’ll have a representative or two. Eat some soup and a barbeque sandwich (yum) for me! I’m sure you’ll have lots of fun. (I’m happy Mitch and Lainy are planning to keep Bentley penned in. I remember Rocky not being a problem, but Bentley was awful!)
I’m pleased to hear Ryan is tolerant of at least one girl. And you may remind him that I’m a girl, and he better like me! Or bad things will come that boy’s way! Of course, most boys like their mothers, so I’m thinking he just overlooked the fact I’m a female.
I haven’t had much experience with pregnant women, either. Basically all I’ve learned is from your family and med school. So, you probably know as much as I do. Sounds like Lainy is having a fairly decent time with hers. I also can’t imagine her any more serene, but I wonder if Mitch means she’s at peace? Because she’s probably feeling pretty feminine now. And she’s in that condition because she loves and is loved. I imagine she feels like she’s doing exactly what nature intended for her to do.
I wish I could be there to check her out. I love delivering babies! Helping a mother bring her child into the world is one of the best experiences ever. Very satisfying. I’ll probably still be here, though.
Tell Lainy to go to Dr. Vanessa Bryant. She’s exceptional, and will ease Lainy and Mitch’s minds. And she’s not family! Dr. Bryant has an excellent bedside manner and she’s very calm. I’ve never seen her excited or flustered.
That’s the type of doctor a woman needs. I did my clinical rotations with her, and even before she announced she planned to go into ob/gyn, I knew. She was such a natural. And then she settled in the Hershey area. I can see her and Lainy getting along very well.
Okay, now I’m finally yawning and it’s time for bed, so I’ll call it a night. I thought this day would never end!
Miss you,
Love,
KC
KC read through her corrections one more time before saving and zipping them, before she attached the file. She pressed the send key and watched as the note disappeared. She sincerely hoped Max would send more documents like that one. Keeping her hand in the business was a way to alleviate boredom and kept her active in her “civilian” job at the same time. That way she wouldn’t feel completely lost when she returned home.
Being lost wasn’t how she intended to return. She needed to somehow change Max’s mind, if in fact her feelings were true and not something her mind had created to help lighten her fears and worries. Would he ever view her as a romantic interest? Could he? She didn’t know, but as she turned off the computer, she wondered how to go about figuring out if she was in love with him, then if so, making Max Morrison fall in love with her.
It might be easier wrestling with the Grim Reaper.