“Yeah, that sounds fun.”

“Well, I have to go see about Ms. Lerner’s discharge, so I’ll see you at lunch.”

I walked down the hall, trying to hide my smile. Tina had a way of getting under my skin, but I liked it. She was all I thought about since I met her, and I tried not to. She was this amazingly brilliant woman, so caring and nurturing. She was made for nursing, her patients always enjoyed her. She had brought her son to work one day and I got to meet him and he was precious, very well-mannered and a very precocious three year old. He would hang out with the nurses at the nurse’s station and ask questions about everything, he always wanted to know what things were and why they were there. I had even engaged him in some physical therapy exercises, which he enjoyed.

“What are you smiling about,” Jodi signed and spoke at the same time.

“Nothing, just having an excellent day,” I sign back, and turn to her paperwork, “has the doctor been by yet.”

“Yes, I am officially free, just waiting for Tom to bring the car.”

“Well, it was a pleasure working with you, stick to my guidelines and you’ll do great,” I said holding my hand out and she shakes it.

“Have dinner with me.”

“I, um, really can’t,” I said, her focusing on my lips to read them.

“Why not? I’m not your patient anymore.”

“I’m sorry but there’s someone else,” I say and try to leave the room but she still had a grip on my hand.

“Come on Bette,” she said, letting go of my hand so she could sign, “you’re never going to have who you want.”

“This is inappropriate, I have to go,” I signed turning.

“I see the way you look at her,” she said and I looked up and Tina was standing across the hall, smiling and talking to the other nurses and I turned to Jodi.

“She’s straight, and she’s married, it’s never gonna happen,” she signed, I could feel the tears burning my eyes, “what do you say gorgeous? Dinner, tonight?”

I stared at Jodi, and then I looked back at Tina. She’s the love of my life, I was sure of it. But maybe Jodi was right, Tina is this beautifully straight woman, it would never happen. Who am I kidding? She’ll never see me the way I see her, love me the way I love her.