Surprisingly, I fell fast asleep once I had made it home. Wyatt had dropped me off at my car, then promised to meet me at school around seven-thirty to be on time for the hospital service project.
It was early for a Saturday morning. My normal morning routine flew by in a blur of sleepiness. Darn Wyatt for being right about my typical amount of sleep. I tightened my laces on my black sneakers. We were instructed to dress appropriately and comfortably, so that was my plan. I wore boyfriend jeans, but no holes, and a West End High spirit shirt. My red zip up lay across my desk chair, turning the seat as I took it.
My dad always complained about how cold the hospital was. I didn’t want to be freezing all day even if it was supposed to be close to eighty outside. After I pulled up the top half of my hair and clipped it, I headed to my car.
It would only take a few minutes to get to the high school, but I wanted to be parked at least five minutes before seven-thirty. I needed to go over the placements for the hospital before Mr. McIntyre handed them out.
After locking the doors, I started my car and pulled from the driveway. The sun had already risen and I could already tell it would be warm. Having thick curly hair meant I was an instant meteorologist. My hair always warned me of the humidity based on the amount of frizz my curls attracted, and today, well, today would be a doozy.
The school’s parking lot had a few cars in the teacher’s lot, but the rest of the lot had none. I was the first to pull in. Checking my radio’s clock, it was only 7:15—perfect timing.
My phone chirped. Who could be texting me this early? Sage definitely would still be in a comatose for at least a few more hours.
It was Wyatt.
My brow furrowed.
What was that about? Was he planning some adventure date for today? My paper with the placements had shifted to the bottom of my bag. I didn’t have time to dwell on why he had asked me something so specific, so instead I finalized the list and then exited my car.
I had gone on this trip last year, and I knew that Mr. McIntyre would be inside the school sipping his hot tea reading the school newspaper until he had to come outside and make sure everyone had shown up.
As expected, he pored over a section of the newspaper, focused on whatever article he had chosen.
I cleared my throat. “Mr. McIntyre, I have the placements.”
He briefly glanced in my direction before sitting straighter on the bench and outstretching his hand.
I handed him the list and shifted uncomfortably on my feet as I waited.
“Looks good, Marley.” He placed the paper in his pocket and stood. “I suppose it is time.”
We walked to the front of the school and waited as everyone else showed up. Once we all checked in, we would head to the hospital. I had even gotten approval for Wyatt to drive us there. Most were taking Steve’s minivan. He was also a senior. He could hold just about everyone, but it had been easy to volunteer to take other arrangements.
Wyatt’s truck pulled into the parking lot and parked near my car. He hopped down, in his typical outfit—jeans, a fitted T-shirt and his gray beanie.
I chuckled. Did he own any other clothes?
He leaned into his truck and pulled out two cups before shutting his door. Then he trailed toward me as more cars parked in the lot. He proffered one cup to me. “I wasn’t sure what kind of coffee you drink. If you drink any, so I kind of guessed.”
“Okay.”
“It’s a maple vanilla and brown sugar coffee.”
I took the coffee from him. “Thanks.”
He swiped his hand through the hair that peeked out the front of his beanie. “No problem. The barista said that this was a good coffee drink. If uh, you don’t like it, then you don’t have to drink it.”
“No, it’s fine, thank you. I appreciate the offer.” I sipped the drink. It certainly wasn’t something I would have ordered but I had to admit it was pretty good. I usually didn’t drink coffee that much either, especially not this close to the summer, but I would never have said that after he took the time to get me something.
Wyatt watched me carefully. “Do you like it?”
“I think I do actually. What did you say this was again?”
“Maple vanilla and brown sugar.”
“Nice. Where did you get it from?”
“I went to West End Beanery.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been there but after trying this I might have to make it a habit.”
Wyatt smiled and sipped from his own drink. “So, what’s on the agenda today?”
“Well once we get to the hospital, there should be somebody on staff that greets us and then we’ll be broken into our placements.”
“Our placements?”
“Yes. Each volunteer has a certain part of the hospital they will help in.”
He tucked his hand in his front pockets. “And where are we helping?”
“I got us assigned to read in the pediatric ward. They also will have us in deliveries.”
“Deliveries?”
“Yup like flowers and balloons to patients. You know that kind of thing.”
“Sounds easy enough.”
“It should be and we should have some time to do some tutoring. What did you bring to work on?”
“I was thinking maybe we could work on the science research paper.”
“Sure, sounds good. Did you finish the paper for Mr. Andrews?”
“Yep. I typed it up when I got home last night.”
My eyebrow rose. “Wow. I’m impressed. That puts you at what two papers down?”
“Two papers down, ten million to go.”
I giggled.
“Okay attention everyone it’s time to do roll call. When you hear your name, please let me know.”
We listened to the list of names until he finally reached us alphabetically.
“Shaw?”
“Present.”
A few people in the group eyed him warily. No one knew I had added him in except for Mr. McIntyre.
“And last but not least, Wix.”
“Here.”
“Good, now let’s head over. You will receive your partners if applicable and your placements.”
The crowd shuffled away. Wyatt and I walked toward his truck. He opened the passenger door and placed his hand on the small of my back as I lifted in. First coffee and then the touch? I wasn’t prepared for that. It felt too much like a real couple. Getting me coffee didn’t equal a date. That was what normal couples did. I didn’t think it would constitute an adventure.
Wyatt walked around his side then followed behind Steve’s minivan as we drove the few miles from school to the hospital parking lot.
We stayed quiet in the car, sipping our drinks.
He finally parked and we hopped out.
I wrapped my red zip up around my waist for later and strode over to the main entrance doors, where everyone gathered from school.
An older woman with dark brown hair stood waiting off to the side with a clipboard. She cleared her throat. “Good morning West End High NHS members. My name is Cynthia and I am responsible for you today. Please make sure to stay with your partners if assigned one and do not change your placements. These areas are in need of help today and we greatly appreciate you volunteering.” She gestured toward Mr. McIntyre.
“Listen up for your placements and partners.”
I already knew them by heart, so instead I leaned closer to Wyatt. “Are you ready?”
He nodded.
Mr. McIntyre clapped his hands. “You’re responsible for finding your way back to school, but we are volunteering until two. No one is cutting out early.”
It was almost eight now, which meant I would have six hours of volunteering with Wyatt.
We waited until the rest of the group entered into the hospital.
Wyatt outstretched his hand in front of us, letting me lead the way.
I had spent a decent amount of time in this hospital. Not that I was allowed to go to all the places my dad did, but a few times he had to take me to work over the years.
“Marley Wix! Come give me a hug!” Mrs. Tulane said.
I smiled and obliged. “Mrs. Tulane this is Wyatt. Wyatt this is Mrs. Tulane my dad’s favorite nurse.” I winked at her.
“Oh, stop that. Your dad doesn’t play favorites.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Wyatt proffered his hand.
“He is gorgeous, Marley. What a handsome boyfriend!”
My eyes widened and my voice sputtered. I couldn’t get the words out.
“She’s my tutor, but thank you,” Wyatt said seamlessly.
Mrs. Tulane winked again then rubbed my arm. “I’ll see you two later.”
When she was out of earshot, I faced Wyatt. My cheeks felt sunburned. “I’m so sorry. She is a sweet lady; my dad really does prefer her even if she won’t accept it.”
Wyatt shoved a hand in his pocket. “So, he works at this hospital?”
I nodded. “He’s a trauma surgeon.”
“Wow, when you told me he was a doctor I didn’t expect he was a surgeon. I thought maybe a family doctor.”
“Nope. It’s pretty cool but keeps him busy unfortunately.”
“Long hours?”
“And at weird times.” I rubbed my hand against my jeans. “Let’s head up to the pediatric ward first. We are on deliveries starting around eleven.”
He nodded.
From the main entrance, we walked toward the elevator and I pushed the button to wait. Pediatrics was on the third floor and it was much faster by elevator than by stairs. “Have you ever done anything like this before?”
“What? Volunteering? Or do you mean reading to sick kids?”
I winced. I didn’t want him to think I was a snob or looking down on him, I was just curious. “Reading.”
“No. I don’t have that much free time to do volunteering, so reading to kids will be a first for me.”
“I actually hadn’t until last year’s trip with National Honor Society. Now I try to go once a month to see the kids.”
“Just on your own?”
I nodded. “Gives them something to look forward to and I like to remember how lucky I am and give that back.”
“That’s not what a lot of people our age would do.”
“Maybe not, but it feels right.”
The nurse’s uniforms shifted from maroon to bright colors and playful cartoon characters.
“Hello, Marley! I was happy to see you on our list today.”
I smiled and could see Nurse Linda standing at the entrance of the nurse’s station. “Hello, Nurse Linda. I’m happy to help with the kids.”
“Well, they’re going to be happy you’re here again. Come on. I’ll set you up in the normal room, then have you go around to some of the sicker kids’ rooms.” She eyed Wyatt warily. “And who did you bring with you?”
“Wyatt.”
“Ever read to any of the kids before, Wyatt?”
He shook his head.
“Well, it’s real simple. Read whatever book they ask for and try to keep things happy and calm. If you need help, Marley is a pro.”
My cheeks reddened. I didn’t like the attention, even if she was only saying that because of the frequency of my visits.
“Thank you.”
She nodded and strolled toward the big room in the center of the less sick patient rooms. These children would only be in the hospital a few days and they tried to keep it light and airy.
The room was painted a light yellow, that felt more like the color of a popsicle, than it did mustard. Someone had painted a mural of the Chesapeake Bay and all the creatures on the wall, labeled for the kids who were older and could read. And off to the back corner was a bookcase with as many books as the nurses could get their hands on.
I recognized a few of the kids, but most were new since the last time I had been there.
I leaned closer to Wyatt so he could hear me. “You can either mingle with them or let them come to you.”
He nodded and went to the bookshelf to peruse the titles. I found a light and airy place by the window to sit and watched as the littles ones grabbed books and flocked toward Wyatt.
His grin grew, almost to the point it was when he was on stage at the competition. I didn’t think I had ever witnessed him that carefree in any other way.
Two little blond haired and blue-eyed twin girls plopped in front of him with the Pout Pout Fish books.
I giggled silently to myself as I waited for his reaction. The Pout Pout Fish had several books, and were enormously adorable to read, but it rhymed and had so much flourish that if someone didn’t make cute voices or read it with enthusiasm, it just wasn’t as good.
He cleared his throat and began to read. He raised his voice for squeaky fish and made it deeper for big fish. It was the sweetest thing I had ever seen.
The girls giggled, clapped, and chanted, “Read it again!”
He obliged while his gaze slipped toward me. He smiled and then winked before focusing back on the characters.
My heart zinged. How sweet was he? I couldn’t imagine a star singer being so good at reading children’s stories to little kids, but he was and it was precious.
* * *
Wyatt’s arm rested close to mine as we sat in a chair by a vending machine eating chips during our break. It was almost eleven, when we would have to switch to deliveries.
“I swear those kids loved you more than me. Nurse Linda will make you come back all the time. They couldn’t get enough of your voices.”
“What can I say? It’s my stage presence I suppose.”
“Nope. It was something else, but seriously, I think you made their day.”
He shrugged as he crumpled his bag and tossed it into the trashcan. “So, where do we go to complete deliveries? It’s time.”
I crunched on my last Dorito, then threw away my trash. “That is done on the first floor around the gift shop and front desk.”
“Got it.”
We walked toward the elevator.
“So, even though you’re here so I can tutor you, how are you liking it?”
“It’s not bad, although I haven’t seen the delivery gig. I can see why you like coming to read to them.”
I smiled. “They can be so sweet, but honestly, I have no idea what they’ll say half the time.”
“This one kid gave me statistics on heat stroke because of my beanie.”
I laughed so hard that had I been drinking something I was sure it would have launched across the room.
His brow furrowed. “What?”
“Well, he has a point. Do you always wear it?”
“Pretty much.”
“Doesn’t it become too much? I mean I get it, we’re inside, but outside like today? It would be crazy.”
He shrugged. “When you always wear something, it doesn’t really register anymore. I’d feel weirder if I didn’t wear it.”
“That makes sense, becomes your baseline.”
The elevator door dinged and we both climbed in. Wyatt pushed the button for the first floor. After we exited and turned down a long hallway, the front desk loomed in front of us.
“Hi, I’m Marley and this is Wyatt. We’re with West End High for the volunteering.”
A man behind the desk, glanced in our direction, then nodded as he scooted to the back of the desk then stood. “You’ll make deliveries to the rooms all over the hospital. Your first task is to take these flowers to the cardiac floor, room five hundred sixty five, a Ms. Daniels. Drop it off on a table in her room, then come back.”
Wyatt reached for the flowers, then we walked back to the elevator. “They seriously just have us deliver whatever around the hospital?”
“Pretty much.”
“How will we get anything done with making deliveries?”
“Easy. You said you wanted to do your research paper for science, right?”
“Yeah, it’s my last big paper.”
“If I remember correctly, you decided to do the effects of pollution on the Chesapeake Bay, right?
He nodded.
“Have you done any research past deciding on the main topic? I think I remembered you needed to have at least five sources, then discuss how you might solve the problem.”
“Not really. Is that a bad thing?”
“Not at all, but might be difficult with us running around to actually find the research.” The signs for the rooms were to the left of the elevator, once I figured out which direction the room would be on we continued. “Have you thought about contacting Rosewood College? I think I saw something about a new research study coming out of there on that topic. They may be able to help you.”
“I hadn’t but I will look into it.”
“Good.” We stopped just outside the door, then Wyatt knocked and walked inside to deliver the flowers.
I could hear an older lady say thank you, then he was right back next to me.
We walked back the same way we came. “So, if you can’t do the research now, then let’s think. Rosewood could be one source. I’d say by Monday, find research for the first three effects on the Chesapeake Bay like the syllabus asked. I think that will be fine.”
Wyatt’s eyebrow rose. “Ending tutoring early? Wow, goody-two shoes, I didn’t think you had it in you.”
“In me to do what?”
“To go easy on me. I figured I would still have to do more until the stroke of two.”
“Ha ha. I’m not crazy or mean. There is only so much you can do as we walk the halls.”
“Mm-hmm. I know that but didn’t know you did.”
I nudged his arm.
He smirked as he adjusted his beanie. “What will you be up to tomorrow?”
“Well, Sundays I usually try to spend with my parents. Most of the time they manage to get the morning off and we just have family time. Why? Did you have a date planned?”
“No, was just curious. What does one do during family time?”
“We play board games, have breakfast or brunch. Just sit and talk. A lot of the times my parents are like ships passing in the night. We are rarely together. So, we don’t do so much as just spend time around each other.”
“That sounds really nice.”
I wrinkled my nose. There was that feeling again like he had no idea how that was. Could that be possible?
I supposed it could. What did I really know about his life? It wasn’t like he was outgoing at school. Most of the rumors I had heard were in regard to his classwork or lack of paying attention, not about what he did at home.
We arrived back at the desk to find the man behind the desk gone. I unwrapped my red zip up and put it on then plopped into one of chairs near the entrance.
“What are your plans?”
“Well, work on my papers of course.”
“The whole day? I doubt it.”
He chuckled. “Maybe not, but a lot of it then rehearse with the band. Also get ready for the week I suppose.”
“Do you have any gigs this weekend?”
“Nope, yesterday was it.”
“Are you nervous about the results?”
He shifted in his chair. “I suppose?”
“What’s that mean?”
“I guess to be nervous you have to expect it to go your way. If you don’t expect anything, then it’s hard to be nervous.”
“You don’t hope you win?”
“I would love it if we won, but out of all those bands, do I believe it will be our break? Maybe not.”
I frowned. Why did he have no confidence in his performance? They had done so well, especially that final song. Weren’t musicians supposed to believe in their bands the most?
“Ah, back already. Good.” The desk man shuffled a few papers and packages, then waved us over. “Next package is room four hundred one. You’ll deliver this box and card to Mr. Watkins.”
We nodded and shared the items before heading off again.
“When will you find out the results? Do they send everyone an email or just the winners?”
“Winners receive a phone call, supposedly on Monday at nine a.m. Claire’s number is what we entered, since her schedule is more flexible. The rest receive a post that says the winners are announced and who won. So, no special email. Either a call or nothing.”
Once on the fourth floor, we walked toward the doorway.
“I hate coming on this floor.”
Wyatt looked into my expression. “Why?”
“It’s the cancer floor. It’s always so sad.”
Wyatt froze. He stopped moving forward and maybe even inched back.
I had to stop completely.
“What?”
“Uh. Um.” He pushed the package toward me and backed up. “I have to go.”
“What? We still have more deliveries. It’s not two yet.”
“Yeah I know, but I’m not really getting service hours and tutoring is over, right? S-so, I’ll talk to you later.”
He turned and left me standing in the middle of the hallway. He had already disappeared inside the elevator when I realized I’d have no way back to the school now. Not to mention, I had no idea why he bailed, something I would certainly rectify later.
Despite not having any clue why he bailed, I continued farther down the hallway toward the patient’s room. Mr. Watkins was asleep, so I left it on the bedside table and darted back to the hallway.
It took until I reached the elevators to let my no ride really sink in. What would I do? Steve might have caravanned everyone here, but I knew for a fact that he wouldn’t do the return trip. Some had parents pick them up from the hospital, while others would have friends drop them back off.
I supposed I could ask my dad, but what would he say when I told him Wyatt ran off?
We weren’t supposed to use our phones during the day, but I couldn’t imagine Mr. McIntyre really faulting me for this.
Clicking his contact card, I hit Call, then waited for him to pick up.
“What’s up, kiddo?”
“How late are you working today?”
“Until five, why?”
I groaned. Did I want to stick around here for three extra hours? “I need a ride back to my car.”
He chuckled. “West End ditching their students?”
“No, my ride just … uh. He had to leave unexpectedly.”
“Hmmph. That doesn’t sound polite.”
“It’s not a big deal, Dad. Maybe I can get Sage to pick me up.”
“Don’t bother Sage. I’ll take a quick break when you’re done. What time again?”
“Two.”
“Two it is. Meet you in the front lobby.”
“Thanks, Dad. You’re the best.”
We hung up, just in time for me to turn the corner to the front desk. I still had hours of deliveries, but at least one problem was solved.