I absolutely loathe being mandated to do double shifts. Especially onto nights. It’s one of the few things about being a nurse which I hate.

I’ve just worked from three yesterday afternoon until six this morning. I have about two functioning brain cells left. After four codes, two co-workers who aren’t speaking to one another, and one fistfight in the waiting room, Im spent. It took me three tries to correctly count the medications at the end of the shift. I need to ***** crash.

It is just becoming light out as I stumble up my front walk. I turn around, wondering if I remembered to lock the car. I dont do well on sleep deprivation.

I should check my voice messages. Maybe Shane called. I hope she called.

I dig out my keys and fumble to find the right one. Then I hear something, quiet breath, to my right.

I turn, and there she is, curled up on my swing, sleeping. She looks heinously uncomfortable. And staggeringly beautiful. I gasp and bite my lip.

My keys jingle in the air but I don’t move. I forget the door, and walk over. My shoes thud on the porch, but the noise doesnt wake her.

She is lying on her naked arm, mouth open, lipstick smeared onto the pale skin there. Her hair is in perfect disarray and I smooth back a piece.

Her eyes open, and she sits up quickly, sniffling, causing the swing to shift and creak. I see that look of naked panic in her eyes and I realize that I need to play this very carefully.

You look so uncomfortable. Come in. She doesnt say a thing, just nods and follows me inside.

You want tea? I ask, brushing away my tears.

No. She sounds as exhausted as I feel.

‘Kay. Be right back. I need some Earl Gray, so I put the kettle on.

When I come out she is flopped across my chair, in perfect lithe ghetto elegance, long limbs, pensive eyes in profile staring out the window. I know I look drawn, that Ive lost weight and there are dark circles under my eyes. But she is just radiantly beautiful.

I sit down on the floor, at her feet. Lean back against the chair she is draped over. I don’t look at her. I cross my legs, lean back, stare at the ceiling.