Andrea moved around the rooms in her little house, sighing. She had grown to love the place and the thought of leaving it behind, leaving the old world behind was bringing her down. As a single tear slid out from beneath her lid and dribbled down her cheek, she absently wiped it away with the back of her hand. Sadness over leaving the place or hormones? She couldn’t tell. At any rate, she eyed the pictures that adorned the walls and all her knick-knacks on the tables and shelves. She would have to pack all this stuff and dreaded doing so. She breathed in deeply and let out another sigh. She suddenly felt an overwhelming wave of grief wash over her and the tears came then. She flopped down on the couch and sobbed. Brent had only been gone a week and she missed him so much. She didn’t want to move but she knew they would outgrow this house in no time, not to mention Brent had his heart set on putting together a soundproof ‘studio’ room down in the basement of the new house. He had spoken to her excitedly about it the last time they talked on the phone. She never let on to him that she didn’t want to move and into that beast of a house, she didn’t want to disappoint him. As the wave subsided, Andrea got up in search of tissues. She found them and blew her nose. Just then the phone rang. She answered it.

“What’s wrong, babe?” It was Brent.

“Nothing.” Andrea replied, feeling the sadness welling up again.

“Oh, come on, Annie. I can hear it in your voice. Something’s wrong.” She shook her head as she said ‘no’ again as if she was trying to convince herself and Brent.

“I just miss you is all.” She heard him sigh on the other end.

“That again?” She rolled her eyes. “I miss you too, sweetheart but I don’t cry every time we talk.”

“Brent, I can’t help it. My hormones cause my emotions to be amplified. If I could help it, I wouldn’t cry at all. Do you think I like crying?”

“Well, Jesus, sometimes I do!” When there was no answer on the other end, Brent continued on with the conversation. “So what were you doing before you were crying?” Andrea had made her way back to the couch and curled up on it, the phone cradled by her ear.

“I was planning the move.” It was as though she could hear Brent grin.

“Now, see, that’s something to smile about honey! I cannot wait to come home to that house! Our house!”

“But it’s so big, Brent. Quite frankly I’m almost afraid of it.”

“Bah!” He said, waving her away. “We’ll fill it with children! And furniture, don’t forget all the stuff we just bought and is waiting to be put inside.” She nodded and sighed. How could she forget that? They had gone to a furniture store called Darvin and Brent strode the walkways, his eyes as big as saucers. He was like a kid in a candy store. Her stomach still did flips when she remembered the total of the bill and Brent didn’t even flinch as he handed the salesman his credit card. It amounted to nearly a year’s pay for her and he accepted it as if it was nothing.

“How could I forget all that stuff we just bought?” She replied dryly.

“I’m not sure I’ve ever had that much fun, Annie. Our baby’s bedroom is going to be beautiful! Aren’t you excited, honey? I don’t hear much enthusiasm in your voice ...” He felt his hopes sink. How could he be thrilled about moving when Andrea wasn’t? It sure would make his life a little brighter if she could be as excited as he was about starting their life together, fresh. And away from the stalkers who’d discovered where he was and wouldn’t leave them alone. It was an uncomfortable feeling knowing that fans were sitting outside, watching him constantly, following him when he went to the store for a quart of milk! Yeah, they needed to get away and to a more private community where those people wouldn’t be allowed. “Annie? Sweetie?”

“I’m here Brent.”

“You’ll feel different once we get started. Hey!” He said, his voice dripping with enthusiasm. “Why don’t you do this ... Call some painters and have the rooms painted! Whatever you want, babe, blue, pink, yellow ... Pink, wait, maybe not pink, but whatever color you like!” Andrea stared at the ceiling. She hated feeling this way. She was bringing Brent down with her sadness and it wasn’t right.

“I don’t want someone else painting our house. If it gets painted, I’m going to do it myself.” She heard the unmistakable sound of a lighter being lit on the other end of the phone and knew that Brent was lighting a cigarette. She held the phone away from her face and sighed heavily. Why did he persist? Why was it so hard to quit smoking? She made sure he was on the latest and best medication to quit and yet he continued.

“That’s a thought, Annie, and it’ll keep you busy too!” Brent said and blew smoke out of his mouth. Andrea thought about saying something to him about the smoking and decided against it, she’d been too much of a downer so far in this phone call. “Just be careful. Don’t stand on any high ladders, okay?”

“Okay, Brent. I already had some thoughts on colors and design.” It was as though she could hear him smile.

“Fan-tastic! Honey,” He said quietly. “I know you’ll like it! Once we get our stuff in there and you design it the way you want it, it’ll be more then home to you!!! You won’t want to leave the place!!!” She forced a smile.

“I’m sure I will, Brent. I love you, honey.” She heard him kiss the phone.

“I love you too, sweetie!! I’m gonna go now, I’ve been practicing the guitar and having voice lessons every day. I think I’ve improved a lot! Wait until you hear me, babe, I’m great!” She giggled.

“You were great before you left, Brent.”

“Why thank you ma’am!” Brent said in his best Tennesseean accent. They said their goodbyes and after hanging up, Andrea grabbed a flattened box, opened it up, taped it, and began filling it with her precious belongings.

Andrea sat at the desk in the nurse’s station, several charts spread out in front of her. Work was her only solace these days. She loved being there, helping patients, feeling needed. She opened up another chart and began to write in it when she felt the presence of someone in front of her. She looked up to see Dr. Dom’s smiling face. She smiled back at him.

“Hey!!!” He said.

“You’re here early.” She replied.

“Yeah, there’s a new patient down the hall and it was a touchy surgery so I thought I would come in and check on her.” Andrea nodded.

“That was very nice of you.” He shook his head.

“Nahh ... But I am a good doctor!” He chuckled. Andrea giggled and looked up at him. He had become a good friend to her. She was appreciative of that. Ever since she had come back from her marriage and honeymoon in January, Jocelyn had been cold to her. She never quite understood why and never had the guts to inquire. “Hey, can I buy you dinner tonight?” Dom asked as he sat down on a chair and rolled towards her. She closed one eye in thought and then said,

“No.” Dom frowned.

“Why not?” She turned to him and closed the chart in front of her.

“Because ... I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Well, what is it?” He asked.

“I’m having some furniture delivered to the new house tomorrow and I wondered if you would meet me there and ... Help me.” She asked timidly. He smiled at her. His heart pounded just sitting there, looking at her. Those blue eyes staring, waiting expectantly, he melted into them. Since the first time he’d set eyes on Andrea, he loved her and as long as she lived and breathed, he was hers to do with as she pleased. Even if it meant only having a friendship, it didn’t matter. As long as he could be around her, talk to her, gaze into her eyes. He felt as though he was standing on a beach looking out into the blue of the Caribbean ocean when looking into them. Her voice, the warm tropical breeze. He held on to the hope that her marriage wouldn’t work out, and then - he would be there for her. To hold her when she was sad, kiss her tears away. And then it would be Dom and Andrea. The perfect couple. Beautiful Andrea and muscular, handsome Dom. They would make beautiful children together! He heard her voice faraway, off in the distance. “Dom?” Andrea frowned. Dom had gone off into his own little world again. He did that sometimes. She stared at him and wondered what he was thinking. “Dom?” He blinked and then his eyes focused on her again.

“I’m sorry, Annie. Of course I’ll help you!” He said taking her hands into his and squeezing them. She smiled.

“Thank you! Now,” She said pulling her hands back. “I’ve got patients to check on!” They both stood and walked down the hallway together.