Six

 

The following morning, as I sipped my coffee alone in the hospital cafeteria, the intern slid into the seat across from me.

"Do you mind if I join you?" he asked with a grin, taking a slurp before clunking his own coffee cup down on the table.

I shook my head, not lifting my eyes or my lips from the cup. Last night had been a long and lonely one, darker than most, given the memories Miranda had inadvertently stirred. I needed my caffeine more than ever. In fact, I was considering a second cup, if time permitted.

The man seemed to be waiting for something, but he appeared too eager to practice patience for long. "Look, I haven't been here very long and I don't know anyone. I was wondering if you could help me out with some recommendations on how best to live here in Albany – where to eat and buy stuff, where the best nightlife is...hell, I'd be incredibly grateful. I'd buy you dinner, anywhere you like."

I summoned a smile. "I've only been here a few months myself. I hardly know where would be best to do most things and I rarely see much nightlife, unless you count kangaroos when I'm on early shifts. After yesterday, I'd prefer not to see too many more of those."

I suppressed a shudder but my smile evaporated.

He seemed to understand, yet still he persisted. "Even just someone to sit with for coffee and break times. You're the only person here who's spoken more than two words to me that weren't work-related since I arrived a week ago." His smile refused to fade. "Please?"

I shrugged. "Sit where you like. I don't mind." I drained my coffee and stood to make another. I decided I just had time for it.

He reached for my cup. "Let me get you another one. I need a second one, too."

I surrendered the empty mug. "White, one sugar."

His grin widened. "Same as mine." He strode away.

I wondered what he saw in my company to attract him. It didn't matter. Whatever it was, he'd probably imagined it and would soon realise this.

I did not share his fear of being alone. For me, it was simply a way of life.