Paul

By Marva Gathers Williams

Alexis woke up frightened and looked around for Paul. He wasn’t there. Her hand reached out and caressed the empty, cold mat. “Paul? Paul?” she called out. “Where are you?” There was no answer. She sat up. Her vision scanned the area around her. Her pumped-up heart skipped a beat. It was still dark outside the makeshift tent that had been home to Paul and her for almost three years, too dark to be blundering around, looking for someone. Tears formed in her eyes. She fell back down in sheer panic, covered her head with the thin blanket, and tried to muffle the sound of her heartbreaking sobs and stop the wet tears that cascaded down her frozen cheeks. She put her throbbing fist in her mouth so no one would hear her. Deep, harsh sobs racked her rigid body just before she fell into a weary sleep, feeling the rats as they pulled at her blanket. Daybreak came. Her eyes popped open. A silhouette from the sun penetrated her crusty eyes. She threw back the blanket, stuck her foot out from under the tent, grimaced, and jerked it back. It was still too cold to get up. But she had to find Paul. She, reluctantly, sat up, crawled out of the tent, and stood looking around. Once again, she called out “Paul, Paul, where are you?” He wasn’t there. Her almost-perfect vision was blurred by the matter that had seeped into her eyes during the night. Her frozen fingers reached up and wiped it away. She crawled back inside, rolled up her blanket, and walked away from her home. The only home she had known for some time. She was now on a journey to find the love of her life. Her search was not in vain. She found him right under her nose. Then her life started, once again, for the second time around. Or so she thought.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9781684099221

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Paul

Marva Gathers Williams

Copyright © 2017 Marva Gathers Williams

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc. 2017

ISBN 978-1-68409-921-4 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68409-922-1 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

1

Alexis bounced up. Her hand reached out for Paul. He wasn’t there. Her sleepy eyes scanned the area around her, but she still didn’t see him. Thinking that he had gotten up to relieve himself, she waited. Lay still. An unusual shiver ran up her spine. Her trembling hand reached over and felt the blanket that he had been wrapped up in to see if it was wet. He caught a cold and had been a little feverish during the night. But his blanket was cold and dry.

Maybe his fever peaked and he got too hot and had to go outside, she thought.

Her idle mind started wandering, then it raced down memory lane. She thought about the life she could have had at this very moment, a nice, warm bed, warm clothing, loving parents, everything a girl wanted. Yet she gave it all up to follow the love of her life. It was now almost three years later, 1978, and they were still living on the street. An ultimate disaster for them.

Her rigid body felt like ice as she tossed and turned in their makeshift tent, under the partially warm blanket, thinking about her and Paul’s life. They had lost their fight for survival a long time ago, nearly starved. Having to hunt for food and try to keep warm was a chore in itself—not to mention having to fight off attacks by complete strangers. The life she had hoped for was tucked away, way back in her dormant mind.

She was only sixteen but felt like fifty. The young body she once had seemed to now be replaced by that of a fifty-year-old woman. It didn’t belong to her anymore. It was as if she was someone else.

Her hand lifted the covers and searched around beside their makeshift bed. Still no Paul. He wasn’t there lying beside her.

Paul, where are you? She screamed, as a chill went through her frozen body. Her teeth chattered and her body shook from the cold.

She looked through the opening in the tent. The fire that they had made the previous night had gone out. She pulled the covers back over her and lay back down.

Oh god, I’m so cold! Help me, Paul! She managed to cry out in a childlike whisper.

Her small frame rolled over in the dirty, thin blanket. She tried to get up but couldn’t.

It’s freezing out here, she murmured.

Her peripheral vision scanned the dreary sky and the surrounding dilapidated buildings, where trash littered the sidewalks and rats ran back and forth to the garbage.

She placed her hands on the ground, tried, once again, to get up, but couldn’t. She became tangled up in the blanket they had found down by a dumpster, behind the old shipyard. Her hands slipped out from under her each time she tried to get up.

Paul! She shouted. Where are you?

She wiggled her hand out from under the tent but felt nothing but freezing air.

This isn’t funny, Paul! Quit joking around! Her chilled voice cried out.

She stuck both hands out from under the tent, grimaced, and jerked them back with a tremor. It was just too cold to get up, but she wanted to look for Paul even in the cold.

Paul was her best friend, who had been with her since they decided to leave home almost three years ago. She remembered it had been his idea that they quit school and run away together. Now, where was he? Gone!

She glanced at her hands, where a brown substance covered them.

Blood, she whispered.

A panicky feeling raced through her. She rolled over and over to untangle herself from the blanket then felt around and tried to touch something familiar. A piece of tree branch caressed the crevices in her hand. It was round, hard, and deathly cold. She took another glance at her hands, where the brown substance had matted. It was so cold it had dried and stuck to them.

Her foot lifted the blanket. Darkness peeped in.

Too afraid to get up, she fell back down and covered her shivering body. Paul! Paul! She called. Where are you? Don’t do this to me! Please answer me!

Her teeth chattered, and her body shook vigorously. The thin blanket wrapped around her didn’t help much. Her pants were long, but thin and worn. Her boots were faded, but decent. They had lifted them from a thrift store a few days ago, but without lining, they didn’t keep her feet very warm.

Oh gosh, it’s just too cold! She said.

Her head ducked back under the covers as her body curled up in a fetal position. Her eyes closed. She decided to wait until daybreak before getting up. She tried powerlessly to fall asleep but couldn’t. Her thoughts wouldn’t shut down. Paul’s face was plastered across her mind each time she closed her eyes. Fear grew rapidly.

What if something happened to him? What if he left and never came back? I may never see him again, she mourned, as tears ran down her cheeks. A loud cry escaped her. She eased the blanket into her mouth and tried to muffle the sounds, so afraid someone would hear her. Her body shook violently as she felt the rats tug at her blanket, trying to keep warm.

She finally drifted into an uneasy sleep.

When daybreak peaked out, she lay still, too scared to get up, not knowing exactly what might be out there.

Paul! Paul! She called out, but still, no answer.

She prayed, Oh, God, please let him be all right. He’s all I got.

She rolled herself from the blanket, sat up, and crawled out from under the tent. She stood facing the sun as it penetrated her body.

Where can he be? I don’t think he would leave without me, she lamented.

She glanced over to where they had lain during the night and saw the tree branch covered with what seemed to be blood. Her stiff legs willed her to walk over and pick it up, to take a closer look. What she saw brought fresh tears to her eyes. The branch was totally saturated in blood. A piece of matter that resembled skin was attached to it. Fresh tears, once again, dropped from her eyes, down to her cheeks. She fell to her knees on the ground with the branch in her hand and wailed uncontrollably.

At this point, she didn’t care who saw or heard her. Her world had just been shattered into a million pieces. A world that could only be put together again by the love of her life, Paul.

After a while, she threw the branch down, rolled up her blanket, and walked away from the only home she had known for a long time, a home destined for destruction. Her backward glance pierced the wooden bench tent setting beside the run-down building, bordering a junkyard, as she meandered away.

2

Hey, Alexis, wait up! she heard a voice called out to her, as she passed Mr. Choi’s Chinese restaurant. She turned and took a quick peek to see who was there then stopped and tasted the tears that cascaded down into her mouth.

Here, some doughnuts, he said. These from yesterday. They are good. Where is Paul?

I don’t know. I woke up this morning and he was gone.

What you mean he gone? Where he go? He asked in his broken English.

Did you see him last night? Her panicky voice asked.

No, I not see him last night. Come, come inside and get warm. He beckoned to her with his hand.

No, no, I can’t! I have to find him. She put the doughnuts in her bag and continued down the street. What am I going to do? She mumbled, as she walked around the neighborhood and down to the junk-car lot, where a couple of transients lay under a makeshift tent.

She staggered over to them and got as close as she could to check them out, in case one of them just happened to be Paul.

Hey, baby! A voice called out to her. Come over here and get warm. I can get you warm in a hurry. Come on. I’ll warm you up. You don’t have to be out there in the cold all by yourself. Come on over here!

She never looked up. She was too afraid to look without Paul to protect her. She said he protected her from the men and she protected him from the women. This was a little joke of theirs. She felt that all the women had their eyes on him because he was easy on the eyes and all the men wanted her, just because.

She went around the corner to the deli and back again to what was once known as home to Paul and her. Her heart hammered, tears threatening to resurface, but she kept going. She had to find him.

She remembered he always said that this was his block and his territory. Although he lived on the street, she thought he was very optimistic. Everything happens for a reason for those who believe and God’s destiny ruled over everything else, was his motto.

After searching for some time, she finally gave up. It was just too cold out there to look anywhere else, and besides, he was nowhere to be found. It looked as if he had vanished.

Well, I guess I might need to find another home, she mumbled as she passed by Mr. Fulton’s deli.

3

Mr. Fulton looked up. His eyes followed her as she crept by. Hi, Alexis. Where are you going in this cold weather? Come inside and have some warm coffee.

No thanks.

Hey, where is Paul? Don’t tell me you got rid of him!

He’s gone, she murmured. She changed her mind and went inside.

Where is he?

I don’t know! I woke up this morning and he wasn’t there. I checked everywhere, but I can’t find him.

Did you check the junkyard, the hospital, or the park down by the lake?

I checked the junkyard and looked over by the park, but I didn’t go over there. I was afraid to have someone call the hospital. I might get him in trouble.

How could you get him in trouble?

She looked up and gave a soft snicker. Well, he sort of stole some food from the Old Farmers’ Market down on South Street, and we have to stay away from cops. I know it was wrong, but we were so hungry, and besides, it was only fruit and they had lots of it.

I think it was wrong, but I don’t think that they’re still looking for him for a handful of fruit. Let me call the hospital.

She sat and watched as Mr. Fulton called the hospital.

He called both hospitals in the area, but Paul wasn’t at either. I’m sorry. Maybe you might want to call the police in a couple of days and report him missing. He handed her a sack of goodies.

I can’t do that. I’m afraid. They might put him in jail, she said as she stumbled out the door. Thanks, Mr. Fulton. Thanks for everything.

She hurried away and circled the block once more, but to no avail; she didn’t find him. Her vision blurred as the tears dashed out of her eyes, making visibility almost impossible, but she kept right on going.

After she had walked for several hours, looked everywhere she could think of, even checked places that she and Paul didn’t frequent, she found herself outside St. Francis Catholic Church. As if her legs had a mind of their own, they carried her into the church, where she crawled under a bench, rolled out her sack, and lay down. As she rested, she thought about her mom and dad, how they didn’t want her to date Paul because he was black and four years older than she. This didn’t make him old enough to be her father, which was the excuse they gave her for not wanting her to date him. In her mind she felt they loved her and wanted nothing but the best for her, but they just didn’t seem to understand. Now she wished she had listened to them, since he had left her anyway. They had not yet been intimate, but she loved him more than anyone outside of her parents. To her, he was more like a brother than a husband, or a lover. More like a best friend. Although sometimes things got pretty heated, they had decided to wait until marriage to become intimate.

Oh, God, why did he have to go away? I love him. He was all I had, she prayed silently.

You have me! A tender voice said.

Who said that? Hello! Is anyone there? She shouted and looked around, startled. I must be losing it, or dreaming. She shook her head, closed her eyes, and invited sleep. Her dreams took her to a nice, warm bed with Paul lying beside her.

From pure exhaustion, she slept until the next morning.

She woke up frightened. There was the presence of someone in the room. She tried to sit up, but became disoriented. Her head hit the seat overhead. There was a shadow just above her. A big black shadow.

A man stood at the far end of the bench, dressed in a black robe. A priest.

Hello, I’m Father Liverly, a deep voice said.

She didn’t realize how long she had slept. Her intentions were to sleep a couple of hours and then move on. Pain shot through her head. Her hand went up to her head and felt the knot that had sprung up.

Hi. She sat up, feeling like a thief in the night. Her legs bounced up. She gathered all her belongings, rolled up her blanket, and headed for the door.

You got a place to stay? He called out.

Yes, she said.

Well, if you don’t, we have shelter here for anyone needing it. I also have an apartment in the back. It’s not very big, but it’s a studio apartment just big enough for you, with a huge bathroom. If you change your mind, just come back. I’ll leave the door open for you. He turned around and walked away.

Later that night, as she walked the streets in the cold, she thought about how warm it had been in the church and how good it would feel to have a nice, warm cup of cocoa instead of a growling, howling stomach. Second thoughts flashed through her mind. She had eaten only half the doughnuts and food both Mr. Fulton and Mr. Choi had given her. The other half was for Paul.

Almost freezing, she found herself back at the church. She went to the apartment in the back. The door was unlocked. She went in and felt for the light. It flickered on. There was a small living room area, and to the right, a midsize room with a bed to the left, and just ahead was the bathroom with the kitchen on the opposite side. The bed was already made up with a nice comforter and one matching pillow and sheets. She pulled back the covers, got in bed, and went right to sleep.

4

Father Liverly got up much earlier than usual and went down to the apartment in the back. He was surprised to see Alexis curled up in bed. A strange noise had awakened him during the night, but he had no idea it was her. His sympathetic eyes watched her. Her matted hair, dirty clothes, and worn shoes made his heart weep. He turned, went into the kitchen and made breakfast, then sat down and waited for her to wake up.

She woke up as warmth filtered through her body. She felt cozy and cuddly but couldn’t imagine why. Then she sat up, panicked, not remembering exactly where she was. She swung her legs out of bed and stood up. Her puzzled expression made her glance at the clock setting on the table. It was eleven o’clock.

Where am I? What am I doing here? I have to look for Paul, she thought.

Father Liverly heard the ruffling of the bed and shouted out, I’m Father Liverly! I’m in here! Don’t be afraid. You’re at the church!

He wouldn’t go into the room. He wanted her to have her privacy.

I laid some towels and a washcloth out for you. They are in the bathroom. When you finish, you can come in here with me, have some breakfast, and we can talk. There are some toothbrushes in the medicine cabinet. Just help yourself to one of them. The toothpaste is laying on the sink. There are some clean clothes on the chair for you. I hope they fit.

Alexis drew a blank. She couldn’t remember his face. For a moment, she shook with fright then got ahold of herself. The person on the other side of that door was a complete stranger to her, but somehow, she would have to trust him. And besides, he said that he was a priest. You should always be able to trust a priest.

She grabbed her clothes off the chair, went into the bathroom, and turned on the shower. She shed her grimy clothes and let them drop to the floor, then stepped into the shower. As soon as the water touched her back, she shivered. It felt like an illusion. A shocking warmth surged down her spine. She hadn’t had a shower in so long, her body came alive to the feel of nice, warm water. She hated to get out.

As soon as she finished bathing and dressing, she picked up her matted clothes from the floor, dropped them in the wastebasket, then stumbled, hesitantly, down to the kitchen with her head hanging down. She didn’t look up, but she felt his presence at the table. Her head popped up. She recognized him.

He had made breakfast. He set a plate in front of her along with a coffee cup.

You drink coffee?

She nodded and slid into a chair, her eyes fastened on him.

He put his plate on the table, picked up her cup and filled it with coffee then took a seat.

She picked up the cup and started to drink. Her eyes met his.

May I say the blessing? He asked.

Embarrassed, she nodded her head and set her cup down. Her long-lasting hunger made her completely forget to say her blessing.

Mary, mother of God, thank you for this food that we are about to receive. Amen, he said.

They ate in complete silence. Neither of them started a conversation. He wanted to know about her but didn’t want to rush her. He stole glances at her every now and then and thought she would start babbling away, but she didn’t.

Finally he asked, So where are you from?

I’m from the Atlanta area. In fact, I was born in Atlanta.

So was I. How do you like this apartment?

I love it.

Would you like to live here?

Yes, I think so.

What’s there to think about?

I’m looking for someone. A close friend of mine. I hope I can find him before I settle down.

Is he your boyfriend?

I guess you can say that.

You can still look for him while staying here, can’t you?

Yes, I suppose so.

My secretary previously lived here, but she left. She moved out of town to live with her daughter. You know anything about secretarial work?

No, not much.

Can you type?

A little.

Do you like little kids?

I love them!

Good, because in addition to the office work, you will have to assist the nuns on field trips and read stories to the little ones. Oh, by the way, what is your name?

Alexis Porter.

Okay, Alexis, when would you like to start?

She hesitated for a minute. Her mind was on finding Paul. I can start . . . aw . . . right away, she stammered.

Okay, let’s get you started! I’ll take you around and introduce you to the other staff members and the nuns.

Sister Beth and Sister Dorie had just sat down in front of a pile of files. So who do we have here? Sister Beth said, sliding a curious look at Sister Dorie.

This is Alexis. I just hired her today. We can start her on the office work, and this will give you two some relief.

Mary, mother of God, thank you, Sister Dorie said with her eyes planted toward the ceiling. They had been eager to see someone come in for the position. They were old and tired, too tired to be doing double duties.

Training Alexis was easier than Father Liverly had visualized. He found her to be more than knowledgeable about office work, a whiz with filing, and a pro with other office duties. He only had to tell her one time how to master a task, and she seemed to tackle it as if she had done it all her life.

He couldn’t have asked for a better secretary.

5

Alexis loved her job. Typing and filing seemed to be her niche. Being as smart as she was, she caught on quickly, worked hard, and had many long hours, but she loved every minute of it. The records had been kept impeccably well. Most of the work was self-explanatory. All she had to do was use common sense, which she had plenty of in some things, except love. Before the week was out, she was already trained.

Father Liverly gave her run of the office. He offered to pay her ten dollars an hour to begin then would increase it as time went by.

She was mesmerized; she not only got a nice job but also a nice, warm, place to live. She no longer had to try to keep warm, run from transients on the streets, or beg for food to eat. This was truly a blessing. She couldn’t have asked for more. Her mind did a complete transformation. It started to work properly. She now focused on her future, on what was ahead of her.

My first priority is to get my GED, she told Father Liverly. Because she had nearly completed the ninth grade, she only had to take a test for completion. She took it and passed with honors then enrolled in night school for her tenth-grade year. Going to school and working was quite a challenge. She spent her days working and her nights going to school. That left no time to think about Paul. She let him rest in the back of her mind, pushed him on the back burner. Although her heart was still with him, her mind needed to stay focused on her future. A future that needed to take a much-needed rest from him.

At school, she didn’t try to make friends. She sat in front of the class—fewer distractions. One day, she noticed Dale, an every girl’s dream, watching her. She looked up and smiled. After class, just before the bell rang, a note was left on her desk. She picked it up, put it in her purse and never read it. As soon as she got home, she took out the note and threw it in the trash. She had no time for friends or outside activities. It took her nine months to complete the tenth grade, nine months of complete dedication and perseverance. Two months after completing her tenth-grade year, she enrolled in school for her eleventh-grade year. Once again, she dove into her studies with both barrels and left little time for anyone but herself. One month after her completion, she took the GED.

She was on a field trip the day the package with her scores arrived. She had gone to chaperone the first graders to Six Flags. It had been a fun-filled day, considering the stored-up energy these young ones possessed. She was dog-tired when they returned.

Father Liverly collected the mail but didn’t open it. He wanted this precious moment to be hers, whatever the outcome might be. He laid the envelope on the desk by the door. He wanted it to snatch her attention when she walked in.

It did. Her eyes gazed at it just as she entered. She picked it up, hesitated, then tore open the envelope, careful not to rip the letter apart. The scores made her heart pound. Her knees buckled. The seat by the desk welcomed her as the tears squeezed from her eyes. It took a moment for her to catch her breath. After her mind started working again, she ran down to the rectory, where Father Liverly was, and dove straight into his arms.

He released her. He didn’t even have to ask any questions. He knew just why she was celebrating. He took the envelope and looked at the scores. You did it! I knew you could, was all he said.

Alexis’s move put her on a roll. She didn’t waste any time. Two months later, she walked into the Atlanta School of Nursing and applied. Her life had been total drudgery long enough. She wanted to see it begin, not stand still. The application process was short and to the point. Because of dropouts, she had no trouble getting into the first class, which was just beginning. Her studies were hard and complex. This was no comparison to high school or studying for the GED. It was a different ball game altogether, many nights of hard studying. She tried her best to stay focused and didn’t allow her mind to wander. Periodically, her mind would slip back into the past and Paul; and she had to slap herself to get back on track. Some nights she fell asleep right in her book. She didn’t have much time to spend with the kids but had explained this to Father Liverly and the nuns. They all said they understood.

Her first test brought about a panic deep in the lower pockets of her stomach. Her mind drew a total blank. She sat, stared into space, and started to hyperventilate while her heart raced. I have to get it together. I can do this. I can do this, she chanted. Her eyes fluttered as she inhaled and exhaled, trying to collect her wits. She scanned the test again, mostly essay. Without thinking, her hand picked up the pencil and proceeded to write. She completed the hardest test she had ever taken in her life in record time. After that test, she learned the tricks of the trade, to let her mind do the work for her, concentrate on what she knew, and dwell on it. The other information would fall into place.

Find a study buddy—this philosophy was what got her through the course. It was two years of total sacrifice. A short-term sacrifice that was beneficial in the end. She went to school and went back home.

Her one and only friend, Cindy, from school, who was also her study buddy, tried to get her to go out and have a little fun, to lighten up a little bit.

Eric and I are going out for a bite to eat. You want to come? Cindy asked.

Thanks, but I have to get home. Maybe next time, she said.

You always say next time. When are you ever going to go out and let your hair down?

I know, and I’m sorry, but I can’t. I’ll try and make it next time, okay?

You promise?

Okay, I promise, Alexis said. But that promise never came.

The day she graduated was the epitome of happiness. She walked across the stage, and tears of joy spilled from her eyes as she glanced up and saw Father Liverly, the nuns, and the children waiting patiently for her entrance.

They all watched as she received her long-awaited degree. Afterward, they went back to the church for cake and punch, to help her celebrate.

A month after graduation, she applied for a nursing job at St. Anthony Hospital. It took more than two weeks for them to call her. In the meantime, she still had her duties at the church office and helping out with the children.

Then finally, the long-awaited day arrived. She was in the study hall with Father Liverly when the call came in.

St. Anthony Church, may I help you?

Alexis Porter, please.

This is she.

Ms. Porter, this is Mr. Anderson from Atlanta Medical Center. You applied for a nursing position a few months ago, and I’m calling to let you know that we have an opening in our pediatrics department, if you are interested. Do you mind working in pediatrics?

No. I would love it! When can I start?

Mr. Anderson laughed. He didn’t think she would be so eager. Aw, let’s see. Today is Friday, so let’s say a week from Monday, which will be the twenty-fourth. Is that okay?

Fine with me!

You will need to report to personnel on July 24 at 8:00 a.m. It is located at the right of the front entrance of the hospital. Please tell the receptionist at the front desk that you would like to see Ms. Tillman. She is in charge of hiring for pediatrics, he said. Then he added, Oh, I almost forgot. You will need to bring some form of identification along with you when you come.

Will a student identification suffice?

Sure, that’ll work.

Okay, I’ll be there. Thank you so much! See you Monday the twenty-fourth. She hung up. Her eyes immediately graced the ceiling. She stretched out her hands with palms upward and said, Thank you, God! She glanced over at Father Liverly, who stood with a puzzled grin on his face.

Don’t worry, I’ll still work here, she said. I’ll continue working at the church in addition to my other job at the hospital.

This was a heavy load, but by this time, she was used to working around the clock. She would miss the kids, but her life must go on. She decided to teach two classes, a Saturday Bible class for the little ones and a class for summer school. That would have been all she could handle right now.

6

Now that her studies were complete, Alexis felt virtuously ready to move on. Her mind, once more, strayed to Paul. The children seemed fascinated by her life story. One day, she hoped to make an impact on at least a few of them. She often talked about him, about how intelligent and smart he was. She was once asked, How come you became a nurse? She paused, let out a long, exhausting sigh, and said, Destiny. Believe in destiny. God has all our destinies in his hands.

She saw many faces come through the hospital’s emergency room, which she checked daily with a pensive gaze. Some of them familiar and some not so familiar. By living on the streets, herself, she recognized many of the homeless as they were brought there for treatment. Some of them got well enough to leave, and some didn’t leave at all. She scanned the faces for Paul, but so far, he hadn’t been brought in.

The inefficiency of the staff in the pediatric department compelled her to work double shifts quite often, but she didn’t mind. Extra money was what she needed. This gave her the opportunity to save some money to fix up her apartment. She agreed to pay Father Liverly a hundred dollars a week for rent and utilities.

Father Liverly knew that this wasn’t very much, but he felt that this helped her get on her feet.

Since she had been working, she had purchased a new bed, sofa, curtains, and a small table for the kitchen area. She had also purchased a small car. Many times she went to work early in the morning and didn’t return home until late at night. In addition to this, she still worked at the church on weekends.

7

Almost five years had passed, and Paul was just a mere dot in the back of Alexis’s mind. A new chapter had already formed in her life. A life of work, work, work, and nothing more. She dove into her work with gusto and didn’t need or want anything else.

Then, just when she thought the dot in her mind had evaporated, something strange happened. A coma victim was brought into the emergency room as a result of a hit-and-run. As the paramedics brought him in, she saw his face all covered in blood. She had just left one of her patients’ room, and as she proceeded down the hall,