Bad Habits Part 19

As they wheeled back out of the parking lot, he nodded to the radio. Kim listened to him and then looked up. "Oh, Dennis liked blues, but I don't know many artists."

"You know it's the foundation and influence of rock and roll. Muddy Waters influenced the Stones, greatest rock band of all time."

"He did?" Kim nodded, impressed. She listened to the singer's deep velvety voice as he crooned to a harmonica playing in the background. "He's your favorite?"

Mathew smiled. "One day I'll play my alb.u.m collection for you: Chuck Berry, Howling Wolf, Waters. Yes, I will introduce you to some greats and get you ready for some Stones."

"I know the Rolling Stones," she said smiling.

"Not the way I'll show you," he said.

She shrugged. Friends listened to music together. Sure, she could do that. He was now her 'friend' after all. It was kind of cool hitching a ride with him and listening to him cuss with a tw.a.n.g at the cars that cut him off. Then he dodged in and out of traffic while she gripped the door handle. They were both tired. Each time he yawned, she yawned. By the time they neared her neighborhood, her lids sagged, barely able to open. She felt really bad about soliciting a ride, not even knowing how far it put him out of the way. But he didn't seem to mind.

He parked and she exhaled. "Hey, it's late so-"

"C'mon, let me walk you to the door."

They were at her door in minutes. He kept looking around as she fiddled for her keys. She caught him frowning at the darkness of her street and the many trees that blocked the view of the sidewalk. She could read his thoughts.

"Thanks," she said, unlocking the door.

Mathew nodded. "I'll go."

"You sure? You can take a peek," she said offering encouragement.

He smiled. "Okay."

She pushed the door open. She went inside to a quiet house. Closing the door behind her, she didn't bother to turn on the lights. "Follow me."

He did. They went through the house to her bedroom and she opened the door for him to look inside. n.o.body besides Anne and Kim cared to know about her boys. Not even Diane. She kind of liked showing them off.

"Aww, cute."

"Kim, that you?" She heard a call out of the spare bedroom.

"Excuse me," Kim said.

He nodded and went back to the living room. She went inside to find Anne sitting up in bed. "Hey, sorry girl. It got late."

"It's okay. I'll just stay the night." Anne yawned, falling back on the bed. "Saw on the news about the car pile up in the Hudson tunnel. That was you, huh?"

"It was a bad night."

"Get some rest. I'll get the boys in the morning. I'll give you a chance to sleep in before you go back to work."

"Love you, Anne."

"You better." She yawned, rolling over. "Cause you just blew up your overtime fund," she half chuckled half yawned.

Kim eased the door shut and smiled. She tried to pay for the overtime and she mostly did, but there were times like this that Anne was priceless. She went back through the dark hall to her guest who waited in the living room. She owed him big for this. She'd bake him something and bring it to work. Yes that's what she'd do!

Kim stopped, eyes searching. She didn't see him at first, just shadows. Then she heard him, a soft snore. Kim turned and found him on the sofa. His head dropped back, mouth opened.

"Oh no," she gasped. "Mathew? Mathew," she whispered. He didn't answer. Kim put her hand to her brow. She did this. The man was exhausted and she had him drive her home? She felt like such an a.s.s. She checked her watch. It was late, too late to send him out there. h.e.l.l, she didn't even know where he stayed. "Guess the babies are having a sleep over," she said, staring at him in the dark. His face was partially covered in shadows, but she could still admire his beauty.

Smiling to herself, she went to the hall closet and got a blanket, then returned to throw it over him. She didn't have the heart to send him out in the night. Sleepy herself, she drifted back to her room and collapsed on the bed fully clothed. She was sleep in minutes.

Mathew felt the tiny palm press and cover his nose. He frowned at the contact. His lids fluttered, nearly opening. Then suddenly he couldn't breathe. There came a sharp pinch of his nostrils, blocking his airwaves. His eyes slowly opened to look into a pair of large round brown one's under upward swept lashes. They were close to his face as his attacker sucked on his pacifier. Drawing back confused, his vision focused. He recognized one of Kim's sons. The boy seemed more than curious before he lost interest and turned away. He ran off in nothing but a pull-up.

"What the?" Mathew looked down to find himself covered in a blanket. He sat up like a recovering drunk. He couldn't believe the magnitude of his headache. He had fallen asleep? There?

"Morning?" a soft voice spoke.

Kim walked in. She moved gracefully to her boy, offering him a cup of milk before sweeping him up in her arms. She wore a long white robe, but it was open in the front to reveal a hint of pink. Most shocking was her hair. It shadowed both sides of her face in dark auburn waves. He had never seen her with her hair loose. Though he imagined it was thick and pretty, with it loose there was such a feminine softness to her that he openly gaped.

"You fell asleep."

"Oh sorry," he said, wiping at the side of his mouth. "I...uh, occupational hazard. I used to sleep in the chair in my office on long s.h.i.+fts. You know?"

"It's okay. What time do you have to go in?"

He checked his watch. It was a quarter to six. He had another hour before it was back on. "Soon." He stretched and rose. "Look, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to impose on you."

She smiled up at him. "That's okay. Isn't it, Danny?"

Danny stopped sucking on his cup. He extended it to Mathew and said something he could barely make out. Mathew chuckled. "No thank you, Danny. I think I need something harder."

Danny popped his cup back in his mouth and continued sucking, observing.

"Thanks, Mathew, for bringing me home."

"Thanks for the sofa. Best one I've hijacked in a while." He folded the blanket then set it back to the sofa. "Do you need a ride in?"

"Oh, I'm fine. I couldn't ask you to do that."

"I'm asking, remember? That southern gent in me. Besides, I have to pa.s.s back this way. It's okay."

"Really, well yes. I have to be in at eight though."

He waved it off, heading for the door. "Perfect," he lied. He'd just have to get there late. "Same time as me. I'll be back around seven fifteen? That cool?"

He looked back at her holding her son. He still felt a pang of grat.i.tude at seeing her natural the way she was. She gave a smile and a nod. "See you later, Danny."

"Bye!" Danny said.

Mathew smiled and walked out. "Bye."

"Whew! Rain? Who knew it would rain?" she laughed. The truck door slammed shut. The wind howled its protests pummeling all sides of the windows with the storm. Mathew was inside. She'd seen him try to open his door but darted out before he had a chance. She grinned at him. He was handsome as ever, dressed in a black crewneck s.h.i.+rt and dark jeans. She liked him in all black. His eyes warmed her as he returned her smile with a sly one of his own. "What happened to chivalry? I was going to come to the door to get you."

"Oh please, you're giving me a ride into work. I think I can manage the short walk from the door to this monster mobile."

"Careful, Henry's sensitive."

"Please tell me you didn't name your truck Henry?"

He gave her a wink and s.h.i.+fted into reverse. "Truck named itself, darling."

Kim held on to the side panel of the door as he backed out of her drive into the street. Mathew threw the truck in gear and the monster wheels sprayed rain as they sped out through the morning storm. She held her tongue as she did when Dennis would drive too fast and wondered if all men had a preference for speed. Shaking her head, she adjusted her seatbelt, then settled the umbrella between her legs.

The roads out of her neighborhood weren't as crowded until they turned out onto the avenue. She squinted at the swish of the wipers working hard but offering little visibility. Mathew didn't seem fazed. She liked the way he handled the road with the monster tires splas.h.i.+ng through puddles as he drove with one hand and kept his eyes trained away. She liked the swirl of his manly scent, stirred by the cooling air blowing out of the vents. She liked his company period.

His sneaked a glimpse at her and she tried to avoid staring back.

She couldn't help it. She found herself staring at him more and more, curious about who he really was. The man just seemed a little too heroic to be true. If she had been honest, she was more taken aback by how easily they fit together. It was too fast, too soon. He wasn't her type, and she was sure she wasn't his. They had nothing in common. She was in love with her husband. It was ridiculous.

"How are the boys? Were they reluctant to let you go?" he asked.

"Danny has picked up on a curse word, and if Danny does it Denny is sure to follow."

"Curse word, how bad?"

"The s-word."

"That is bad," Mathew said.

Kim nodded. "Anne swears she didn't use it. For all I know he could have heard it from me. Either way, my baby is using it in the right context and saying it with such meaning I swear the kid is testing me. He can barely recite his ABC's but he can say this?"

"Want me to have a talk with him? Set him straight, you know mano to little mano."

Kim laughed. She found herself doing that often with Mathew. This would be a habit she'd like to keep. "No thanks, mano, I think I got it. My method is to just ignore it. He says it, and I act like I don't hear it. Then he stops. Reverse psychology."

Mathew cut her a look. She cut him one, waiting for him to challenge her method. That look in his eyes said he wanted to. But instead he flashed that boyish smile. "Interesting theory. Not sure I agree with it, but interesting."

"Trust me. It'll work. My sons are testing me. I just have to stand firm and not give words power." She winked, mocking his usual response. "Besides, I grew up in a house where you'd get smacked in the mouth for swearing but it didn't change a d.a.m.n thing with my mouth."

"I can't imagine anyone wanting to change anything about you."

She looked away to keep from showing him her smile. Secretly, she held to that compliment. It felt warm and snuggly, and she liked it. The F-150 took to the expressway. They soon merged with morning traffic, making their way through the congestion of yellow cabs, pa.s.senger vans, delivery trucks and sedans packed with carpoolers headed for the city.

"Where do you stay?" she finally asked.

He stretched his arm out. Placing it behind her head out of reflex. He soon lowered it when his fingertips accidently brushed the nape of her neck. "Marine Park."

"But it's in the opposite direction to me."

"It's close enough," he shrugged.

Now she felt guilty. He had gotten less sleep than her. "Thanks, Mathew."

"For?"

"You've been really nice the past few days, and I appreciate it. Changing my tire, lunch, making my boys smile, and now a ride to work. I feel like I owe you a whole lot of thanks."

"No more thanks. We're okay."

Far as she was concerned, they were, and that was just fine with her. She relaxed her posture and her defenses. All of her relaxed. The rain once hard and menacing became gentle and soothing as it cascaded down her pa.s.senger window. A comfortable silence settled between them. She didn't feel the need to make small conversation. She just felt at ease. Looking over at him, she saw him leaned back staring out at the road lost in his own thoughts. What kind of thoughts on a rainy day like this plagued Dr. Mathew Donnelly?

"Do you mind?" she asked, reaching for the radio b.u.t.tons.

"Sure, go ahead. What do you want to listen to?"

"Tom Joyner. It's on KISS-FM," she said, pressing the b.u.t.ton and searching for the station.

"Who's he?"

"The fly-jock. You'll like him. I promise."

"I already do," Mathew smiled.

The hospital was as they left it. Mathew pulled back on the inside rod of the umbrella, closing it, sprinkling the last of the storm about his feet and floor. Emergency held the overflow. Some of those waiting were awakening from a night slumped down in the plastic chairs bolted in rows in front of the wall mounted television. Kim slipped through the crowd of staffers and rescue workers. He followed her with his eyes. The chirping of Nurse Amy with her long tales of what happened with his patients through the night, were dismissed.

Kim had said something before the pet.i.te nurse jumped up in his face, trying to get his attention, but he didn't hear, the noise factor being what it was. What had she said? See you later? Talk to you later? Come see me later? f.u.c.k, he missed it!

"Ms. Smith is now awake. She's reporting numbness from the waist down."

Mathew nodded. Kim sidestepped others and walked to the elevators. Her gait was graceful and confident, though he saw little of her behind the rain coat she wore. She never turned back. But when she stepped inside with other nurses and staff, their eyes met one last time. He was caught by those deep soulful brown eyes that revealed more of who she was than any words could. It wasn't just her physical beauty. It was what he saw in her eyes, the kind of feminine strength that held him captive. He was growing increasingly attached. But was it too soon? Too fast? Was he again seeing what he wanted in a woman?

She gave him a hint of a smile and a slight nod before the doors closed.

"Dr. Donnelly?"

The nasal voice that broke through his thoughts could be from only one person. Dr. Murphy stood behind him, her faced pinched into a frown. With her arms crossed in front of her, she glared up at him from over her square rimmed gla.s.ses. "I need to see you." She turned on her heel and started off through emergency.

"I'll be up to check on Ms. Smith soon." He took the chart from the nurse then made the short walk to the administrator's office. It was her tone that had him guarded about the abrupt summons.

"Close the door, please."