Too Close For Comfort

She loved this song, the words, the beat. "Dance with me, Jack," she said in his ear. He couldn't help it that his girlfriend Lindsey had left their little group in a huff, and Emma's own boyfriend Dave didn't feel like hanging out tonight. Taking Jack's hand, she pulled him up to his feet. He was reluctant, but not just because he didn't like dancing. He could handle dancing if he had to, but it would mean being close to Emma, and he wasn't sure he could do that, not right now.

The couple weaved their way to the dance floor. Emma slipped into the rhythm of the music and started to sway, her eyes half closed in almost a trance-like state. Jack knew this would get him in trouble. He'd fallen for Emma years ago but refused to admit it. Linsdey's problem was that she could see what was going on right before her eyes, but Jack just kept denying how he felt. Emma, on the other hand, seemed completely unaware of the situation.

"Come on, Jack. Why are you so tense?" She followed his gaze to the entrance of the club. "Don't worry. She'll be back later." She took hold of his hands and tried to lead him a little. "What, are you just going to stand there?"

"No, of course not," he said laughing nervously. The two began to dance. Emma and Dave went way back, but Jack and Lindsey were still fairly young in their relationship. As the music pulsed, Emma slipped her arms around her friend's neck. Jack tensed his jaw. He wasn't sure what to do, where to put his hands, or even where to look. He could tell his body liked the closeness, but in his mind he was freaking out.

Emma looked up at him. "What's the matter?" she asked.

Jack couldn't think of anything to say. He could smell her shampoo on her hair, so soft and silky as it framed her face. He was also aware of her fingers on the nape of his neck and the burn it left on his skin. He swallowed hard. Think about monster trucks and naked old women, he told himself.

Emma stepped back. Her eyes showed concern. "Jack, is something wrong?"

"No...no, Emma, I'm fine. Come here." He smiled weakly and pulled her back towards him, scooping her into his embrace. She felt great, smelled wonderful, and he just wanted to enjoy the moment with her. She'd never cheat on Dave for anything or anyone, that just wasn't the kind of person she was. Knowing the kinds of women Jack had known and been with in his life, that was a rare find. It had been a long time since he'd known a woman who could still give him the feeling of butterflies in his stomach every time she was near him. He knew that was cheesy, and he'd never told anyone of it. Emma was the kind of woman he wanted to come home to and spend the rest of his life with, but as luck would have it, Dave had found her first. Still, for just a few brief moments, he could have her all to himself. He wondered if she could feel his heart thumping away in his chest like the rapid beating of drums and hoped it didn't give away what he was feeling. "I love you," he whispered so quietly under his breath that she wouldn't hear.

As the song finished and quickly switched to an upbeat tune, Emma looked up at Jack and smiled. "Thanks for the dance," she said, and kissed him lightly on the cheek. Jack froze. Had she heard him? Surely not. All of sudden, all he wanted to do was disappear.

"Hungry?" she asked. "I'm starved!"

Jack snapped back to reality. "Sure!" he said. Relief washed over him, and he exhaled deeply. "How does Mexican sound?" he asked, doing his best to keep his voice from jumping up an octave.

"Like heaven!" She took his arm. "Let's get out of here."

The Commute

I'm sitting on the bus. It's early in the morning, too early for some, but just another morning on the bus for me. I'm listening to my iPod as the hulking vehicle slowly rolls along the street in the cold. The ground is frozen, but it's warm on the bus, the hot air from the vents wrapping around my calves. My head nods to the music. I don't really know what I'm listening to right now, but it blocks out the noise around me. A woman with red hair and a determined look on her face is talking, but I can't hear her. She looks angry about something. Behind her is a young couple sitting close together, and the guy occasionally leans in to say something in the girl's ear that makes her giggle. I close my eyes for a moment, and all I'm aware of is the pulsating beat playing in my head. I'm not really thinking of anything.

My eyes fly open. Someone's over-sized book bag just bumped my shoulder, and hard, too, as they made their way down the aisle. Idiot. I glance around to see where we are, but I still have a while until we reach my stop. I click my iPod to another song. A man just got onto the bus, rather stocky looking with built arms and shoulders. He probably works out. Not bad to look at though. I smile to myself as Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy" starts playing in my ears, and I picture the stocky man strutting along the bus while lip syncing. Yeah, I knew I should have had that second cup of coffee before I left my apartment. Honestly, this work schedule is for the birds.

I close my eyes again. And to think I used to miss all this on those days I would drive to town. The screech of the brakes lets me know we have stopped again, and we're at the hospital now. I stand and make my way to the front of the bus, smiling at the stocky man and blushing a little when he smiles back. I wonder if he likes Right Said Fred?

"Have a good one, Mr. C," I say to the bus driver and smile, patting him lightly on the arm.  "Be careful on this ice."  His eyes meet mine--they look so blue this particular morning--and he smiles warmly.  "I will.  See you tomorrow, Sweetie," he says.  I like him.  He's a few years older than me, but I could see us being friends, if we ever had the opportunity to have a chat besides the usual pleasantries getting on and off the bus each day.  Still, it gives me something to look forward to in the morning, and I smile to myself.

The thin layer of snow on the ground crunches a little under my feet along the walkway to the trauma unit, and my breath curls up in fleeting puffs of vapor.  I swipe my badge and let myself in through the staff entrance beside the ICU.  Immediately, the smell of disinfectant fills my nostrils.  As I make my way into the building, the heat from the waiting area is almost stifling. Debbie is already at the reception desk taking phone calls as I hang up my coat and scarf. With my clipboard in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other, I shuffle into the lounge to see how things went overnight and review my cases for the morning.  Staff meeting is in 5 minutes, so I blow on my coffee and take a couple of gulps.

"Still riding the bus?" asked Debbie. I nod. "It's cheaper. Can't blame you," she added before taking another phone call. I look up and notice a redhead in the waiting area raising her voice a little with the nurse. It's the same angry woman from the bus. I groan silently.

This is going to be an interesting day...

Vegas Nights

Tires screech and heads turn. A neon blue Firebird pulls up to the curb and parks in front of the casino entrance, and the doorman steps forward. The night is hot, muggy, and buzzing with people and traffic on the Strip. Out of the car steps a woman, young, tall, and graceful. Her red satin dress clings to her body in the thick air leaving little to the imagination. She turns her head, letting her dark tresses cascade over her shoulders like a silky waterfall. Stepping around the car, the audible staccato "tac tac tac" of her stiletto heels clicking on the pavement. The doorman nods and tips his hat, first noticing the sparkle from the diamond earrings dangling from her ears like beams of light, then the slow, seductive smile that played on her lips. He allows himself just a second too long to gaze at her from behind as she glides past him and through the glass doors. He catches a hint of her scent, a musky, compelling fragrance that catches his attention and puts images in his mind he knows better to leave alone. He lets the car door slam shut, then watches as it drives away. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he walks calmly back to his post by the door and waits.

Missing

She watched her son Ethan walk up to the ice cream truck, the excitement on his face beaming at the prospect of a cold, sticky popsicle to ease the heat of the midday Texas sun. Ethan stood in line with the other children in the park patiently waiting his turn.

"They grow up so fast, don't they?" said a voice over her shoulder. Kathy turned quickly, startled. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," said the man. He looked about 60-ish, friendly enough, but quiet.

"Oh, that's okay," said Kathy smiling. "Yes, they do grow up fast. He's almost six, and I still can't believe it."

"Yes," mused the man, looking in Ethan's direction. He seemed distracted. Now that she thought about it, something about this man made Kathy feel a little uneasy.

"Here with the grandkids?" she asked trying to be polite.

"No," he replied. Long pause.

"Well, it's a nice day to be out, I suppose." She was really starting to feel uncomfortable now.

The man turned his attention back to her, and a smile slowly spread across his face. "Thank you, ma'am," he said calmly and nodded. Kathy felt a sense of relief as she watched him walk away. That was really weird, she thought.

Brushing a lock of hair away from her face, she turned back toward the ice cream truck and--He was gone! Ethan was gone! She quickly walked toward the truck, her eyes darting from one young face to another. "Ethan! Ethan, where are you?" she called. Panic. Where did he go? Heart starting to pound, mind racing, she tried to find the old man. Could he have...?

"Ethan!" she yelled desperately now. Surely not. But she only looked away for a moment, just an instant. He was right there with the other kids, and now...gone. A sense of dread rumbled in her stomach and helplessness gnawed at her thoughts. The screams and shouts from the playground echoed in her mind, each one grabbing her attention as she tried to track down her son. I should have been watching him. How could I have not been watching? What have I done? Fear soon gave way to anger. If that bastard's got him, I'll tear him apart. Just let him lay one finger on my boy... Kathy blinked away tears that pooled and blurred her vision, her cheeks flushed and hot, her heart beating so loudly as the rest of the world seemed to fall away in silence, leaving her alone and searching.

"Mommy?" came a small voice behind her. Spinning around, Kathy fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around the little boy. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks. "What's the matter, Mommy?" Ethan asked.

"I was so worried. Where were you?"

"Behind that tree. The sun was hot, and I was waiting my turn to get a popsicle. Mommy?"

"Yes, son?"

"Why are you crying?"

Kathy closed her eyes and smiled. So innocent. He had no idea what had just happened or that his mother's whole world had come to a screeching halt for the longest thirty seconds of her life. Relief poured through her as she regained her composure. When she opened them again, she said, "I've got my little boy back, that's all." She ruffled his hair. "Now go and play."