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  Julie paid her bill, and politely declined Anthony’s suggestion to use the hotel’s facilities for her laundry. She got the directions and poked her head outside, grateful the rain had abated. After a short walk, she arrived at the laundromat. Entering the place, she spotted Austin right away. He was wearing a sleeveless shirt and worn jeans. The heat of the place was shown heavily in the perspiration on his face. He had an opened tool box next to him, and was busy working on one of the washing machines. He hadn’t seen her enter.

  Julie crept up next to him and said “There is something about a guy who works with his hands.”

  Austin turned quickly towards her, his face breaking into a big smile. “What are you doing here?” he asked, surprised.

  “What? Can’t a girl wash her clothes once in a while?” she asked. “But, that’s not the only reason I am here,” she added. Austin grabbed a nearby towel and wiped his hands and face.

  “And,what would the other reason be? Not that you need one; I’m happy to see you anytime,” he said, leaning back against the washer.

  Julie smiled, and reached up, grabbing his chin. “This is for the rose,” she said, before kissing him. The kiss was short, but powerful, and caught him by surprise. Before he fully recovered, she asked, “So, how did finals go?”

  “Um… good… yeah, they went good… I think,” he said, and laughed. “How, um, how was your first day? Was it everything you were hoping for?” he asked, finally composing himself.

  Julie hopped up and sat on a nearby table used for folding clothes. “I think it is. I think it’s gonna work,” she said.

  “So, does that mean what I think it means?” he asked, stepping closer to her.

  “It means I have to get my butt moving and find a place to live,” she said, grinning.

  Austin couldn’t contain himself. He placed his hands on her face and kissed her passionately. Julie wrapped her arms around his neck and lost herself in the moment. The sound of clapping and cheering broke them apart. Apparently, they had an audience. Julie blushed a bright red, and hid her face in his chest. Austin laughed and held her against him. “Okay, go back to your washing,” he ordered the audience, most of whom he knew well.

  During the next hour, Julie did her wash and talked with Austin, as he repaired the machine. She enjoyed watching him work: the way his hands moved when he tinkered with the motors small parts. She knew she was getting attached to him, but couldn’t help herself. She’d never felt this way about anyone before.

  Julie’s wash was done. “I’d better head on back,” she said. The clouds looked threatening again. The laundromat had cleared out, as it was close to dinner time.

  “I’ll walk you back, just let me wash up; it’s closing time,” Austin said. Julie waited for him to wash up and secure the building. He slung her laundry bag over his shoulder and reached for her hand.

  Along the way, they stopped at a deli to order a couple of club sandwiches. They ate them before continuing on. Julie paid before Austin could object. “It’s my turn,” she reminded him. They ate quickly, as the sound of thunder ebbed closer. Julie and Austin ran the last two hundred yards to the hotel, as big fat raindrops began to soak them.

  They were laughing and dripping as they entered the building. “Does the sky just spontaneously combust on a regular basis around here?” Julie asked.

  “Sometimes,” Austin replied, shaking his head, spraying water in all directions.

  “Stop,” Julie laughed, backing away. Austin reached for her, pulling her closer.

  “Why? You’re already wet,” Austin teased. The dampness of their clothes seemed to act like a magnet, pulling them closer together.

  “If I have to be wet, I want it to be for a good reason,” Julie stated.

  “And what would constitute a good reason?” Austin asked, his voice lowering an octave. Julie leaned up to kiss him, illustrating her point.

  “Couldn’t have thought of a better reason myself,” he breathed, after the kiss.

  “C’mon, let’s get dried off,” Julie said, tugging on his hand. Together, they headed up to her room, unaware of eyes following their every move.

  Up in her room, Julie retrieved two towels from the bathroom. “I should have gotten you a vase,” Austin said, looking at the rose in the ice bucket.

  “Oh, shoot. I meant to pick one up, too,” she said. Julie draped the towel around his neck, drying his hair as he stared at her. “What?” she asked, curiously.

  “I can’t believe you are staying,” he said. “But, I have to ask,” he continued. “Is the only reason you are staying because of the hospital?”

  Julie knew what he was asking. She would be lying to herself if she didn’t factor in her feelings for him in her decision making. She also knew, if there was even an inkling of danger, she would leave to keep him safe. At least, that was what she told herself. Her own safety suddenly seemed trivial. “No, Austin, It’s not the only reason,” she replied, wrapping her arms around him.

  He leaned in to kiss her, his lips gently brushing hers. “Julie,” he breathed her name, his lips traveling along her jaw. Julie’s body seemed to melt against his. A heavy sigh escaped her lips, as her fingers grasped his hair. Austin’s mouth traveled back to hers, passion fueling the need. She would not pull back this time. The longing would not be denied.

  Chapter Four— The Cure

  The next morning, Julie stretched, her hand making contact with Austin’s bare shoulder next to her. She rolled on her side, lightly kissing his exposed skin. He rolled over and looked sleepily at her. “Don’t tell me you are one of those morning people,” he said, rolling back over.

  “My, aren’t we the bear?” she teased, snuggling against him. His movements caught her by surprise as he was suddenly on top of her, staring into her eyes.

  “Wanna hear my growl?” he asked, before kissing her.

  Neither of them had an early morning schedule. Austin’s first final of the day wasn’t until eleven, and Julie didn’t have work until twelve. They used the time getting to know each other more intimately.

  Austin left before Julie, stopping in the lobby briefly to help himself to a bagel and orange juice. “Did you have a good rest?” a man loitering asked him.

  “Yes, I did. How about yourself?” Austin just figured the man was making conversation.

  “I did. Probably not as good as you did,” the man replied.

  “What do you mean?” Austin narrowed his eyes at him.

  “I saw that hot number you came in with last night, must have been some wild night,” the man winked at him.

  Austin felt his blood boil. “Who the hell are you?” Austin asked getting in the man’s face.

  “Just an observer,” the man replied, not the least bit intimidated.

  “How about you mind your own business?” Austin said, through clenched teeth.

  “Is there a problem, gentlemen?” Patricia called over to them from behind the desk.

  “No. No problem,” the man said, with a smile at Austin. “Just making conversation,” he finished, then headed out the door.

  Austin was taken aback by the incident with the man. He wasn’t sure what to make of it. One thing he did know, however, was that this guy was one to be mindful of. He walked out the door and looked down the street in both directions. He did not see the man anywhere. He pulled out his cell phone and called up to Julie in her room.

  “Hello,” Julie said, answering.

  “Jules, it’s me,” he said.

  “Hey you. Didn’t I just see you?” she asked, smiling into the phone.

  “Yeah, listen. Do me a favor? Be careful. There was this really strange guy in the lobby,” Austin said.

  Julie immediately heard the change in his voice. “Strange guy?” she said, then knew exactly who he was referring to. “Was he like forty something and really nosy?” Julie asked him.

  “Yeah. You know him?” he asked.

  “Not really, but he has been a real busy body. Did he bother y
ou, too?” Julie asked.

  “Yeah, sort of. I just didn’t like what he was saying,” Austin said, going over the strange conversation in his head.

  “What did he say?” Julie asked.

  “It’s not important, just be careful and be mindful of who’s around,” he told her.

  “Yeah, of course,” she said. She thought she had always been aware of who was around, maybe she had been slacking on the job. She was curious as to what he said to Austin that got him so worked up. “I’m a big girl, Austin. Don’t worry about me, but thanks for the warning,” she said.

  “I do worry,” he said. “When you care about someone, that’s what happens, you worry,” he said.

  “I know,” she said softly. “And now I am worried you are gonna be late for finals, get going,” she said, trying to lighten the moment.

  “I’ll see you later,” Austin said.

  “Later,” Julie replied and hung up.

  Austin made his way home to change and then headed to school. His mind was preoccupied the whole way.

  Julie didn’t have time to focus on the strange encounter. She got herself ready for work.

  She was glad that the man was nowhere in sight as she walked out of the building. The day was clear and bright, and the air was fresh with the scent of the previous day’s mountain rain. It was a lovely walk to the hospital.

  She changed in the locker room and checked the schedule. She had been assigned to the pediatrics ward. She wondered if Doctor Elsworth had anything to do with that. Eli, she reminded herself of his name.

  On the fourth floor, she checked in with the nurses’ station. They immediately put her to work running patients to and from the infusion room for treatment. As soon as she got a free moment, she checked in on Michele. The child looked as if she hadn’t moved an inch from yesterday. Julie lightly touched the bald head.

  “What do you need to do this?” Doctor Elsworth had come up behind her.

  She looked up at him. “Time. I’m not sure how long it will take for me to recover, and privacy, of course,” she said.

  “What time are you done here today?” he asked.

  “Six,” she replied.

  “I’ll have her moved into a private room near my office,” he said. Julie nodded.

  He started to walk away, then said, “Oh, your boyfriend is looking for you,” he said with a grin.

  “Austin?” Julie asked, and saw a strange expression cross his features.

  It was at that time that Billy came running up to her. “Doc Julie! I’m all better!”

  Julie bent down and picked him up, he had his coat on and was holding pictures.

  “I’m so glad you are all better,” she said, smiling.

  “I made you these pictures,” he said, waving them.

  “Wow, they look awesome!” Julie exclaimed. A woman came up and smiled at Julie.

  “Billy hasn’t stopped talking about you. He keeps saying you fixed him,” the woman said. “I’m Billy’s mother, Maureen,” she said, rubbing Billy’s back. “He kept saying ‘Doc Julie’, I didn’t realize you were a volunteer,” Maureen explained.

  “No, she’s a doctor, she fixed me,” Billy insisted. Julie and Maureen just smiled.

  “Whatever you did, thank you,” she said.

  “I’m just glad he’s all better,” Julie said, putting Billy back down and accepting the pictures from him. “You just stay healthy, okay?” she requested of him.

  “I will, I promise,” he said and took his mother’s hand. Julie watched them walk off and felt a sense of accomplishment. This was what she loved.

  She turned around, but Doctor Elsworth was nowhere to be seen. “Why does he keep doing that?” she asked to no one. She tucked the covers around Michele. “Today, little one. You are gonna get better today,” she said and went back to work.

  The day was flying by. On her lunch break, she checked the bulletin board for rentals. There was only one posted. It sounded too good to be true. It was a one bedroom apartment a block from the hospital. Even the price was reasonable. Julie called the number listed. She talked to a woman who seemed very anxious to show her the place. “Have you gotten a lot of calls?” Julie asked her.

  “Yes, but nobody I liked,” the woman said.

  “Oh,” Julie said, wondering what kind of screening process the woman used.

  “Can anyone vouch for your character?” the woman asked, pointedly.

  “I think so,” Julie said, uneasily.

  “Good then. Stop by tomorrow morning to take a look at the place,” she said.

  “Um, okay. Thank you,” Julie replied, and hung up the phone. That was a weird conversation, she thought.

  Back at work, the rest of day passed as quickly as before. It was almost six o’clock by the time she saw Doctor Elsworth again. She was in the supply cabinet restocking some supplies when she felt him behind her. “I think I am getting used to you sneaking up on me,” she said, without turning around.

  “Did you call about the rental?” he asked.

  “Actually, I did. The woman is a bit… unusual,” Julie said. “She wants character references,” Julie finished.

  “Mrs. Gosley is wary of people,” Doctor Elsworth said. She turned around to face him.

  “How did you know which apartment I was talking about?” Julie asked.

  “It was the only one advertised when I checked,” he stated, looking at his chart. “Don’t worry about it, I’ll take care of the reference,” he added. Julie stared at him until he met her eyes.

  “I’m sure I can handle it,” she said.

  Eli folded his arms. “Julie, we are going to be working closely together. You are going to have to trust me,” he said.

  “You don’t trust me enough to tell me about yourself,” Julie argued.

  Eli thought for a moment. “You can ask me one question, per day,” he said. “I will answer as honestly as I can. I will expect the same in return,” he added.

  “Fair enough,” Julie agreed. “Me first,” she said. She had a million questions, but didn’t know which one to start with. Finally, deciding on one, she asked, “Why don’t you have a heartbeat?” she asked.

  “Because, I don’t need one,” he answered.

  “Why don’t you need one?” she pushed.

  “That’s two questions,” Eli said.

  “No, it’s a qualifying question. Those are allowed,” Julie was not going to let him get away with non-defined answers.

  “I don’t need one, because my body does not function the way a human body does. There are only some similarities,” he answered.

  “Are you saying…” Julie began to ask, but he put a finger to her lips.

  “My turn,” he said, his face close to hers. “Where are you from?” he asked her.

  “Florida,” she replied, feeling slightly off balance.

  “Is that what you tell everyone?” he asked, his lips near her ear.

  “Stop,” she said, pushing him away. “I asked you not to do that anymore,” she hated that feeling of helplessness when he got close to her.

  “I want the truth, Julie,” he said, trapping her against the counter.

  “The truth could get you killed,” Julie threatened.

  “I answered your question honestly. I expect no less from you,” he countered. She closed her eyes. Julie knew that if she wanted answers, she was going to have to provide some of her own. She opened her eyes when she felt his fingers on her face. “I’m trying to make it easier for you.” His voice, once again, was soft and soothing. “Where are you from?” his lips brushed her cheek.

  “Nevada,” she heard herself reply.

  “Where in Nevada?” he asked, his lips gently brushing hers.

  “Las Vegas,” she whispered as their lips met again.

  “Good girl,” he said, moving his face away from hers. He kept a hand near her until she recovered enough.

  Julie shook the haze from her head and looked at him. She realized that lying to him would
do no good. Whatever that thing was that he did, she was unable to resist telling him what he wanted to know.

  “Ready to do this?” he asked her.

  “Yes,” she replied. “I’m going to go change first,” she said.

  “Meet me in my office,” he said, and started off down the hall.

  After changing, Julie made a quick call to the laundromat. She couldn’t remember if she had made plans with Austin or not. “Hey, how’s that washer coming?” she asked when she recognized his voice.

  “Hey, Jules. It’s all fixed, actually. I picked up the part it needed after school, and she is up and running. Are you done work?” he asked.

  “Yes and no. I am gonna hang out here. There is a little girl that is undergoing a procedure, and I kinda want to be here when she comes through it,” she explained.

  “Want me to come wait with you?” Austin asked.

  “No, that’s okay. I’m not sure how late it will run. Oh hey, I got some good news. I found an ad for an apartment, like one block from the hospital. I have an appointment to see it tomorrow morning,” she said, changing the subject.

  “That’s great, Jules,” Austin said, sounding genuinely happy. “Maybe tomorrow night we’ll have something to celebrate,” he said.

  “I’d like that,” Julie said.

  “Me too,” Austin replied.

  “Have a good night, then,” Julie wished him.

  “Sweet dreams,” he said. Julie hung up and made her way to the doctor’s office.

  “All set?” Eli asked, when she entered.

  “Ready when you are,” she replied. Julie and Eli walked down to the room next door. It was a small, private, patient’s room. Michele was there, still curled into her fetal position. The quiet, steady beeping of the machines was the only sound.