I woke up aching. This wasn’t unusual – most mornings I was used to choking down the pain of my nightmares. But this ache was different. Ever since Sean had come back into my life, I had been recovering from my depression and the nightmares had disappeared altogether. No, the soreness I felt now was a physical one.



I climbed out of bed and stretched my sore muscles. Working out with Sophia on a regular basis was really starting to pay off. On the plus side, I had already lost 15 pounds. But the stiffness in my muscles was a side effect I could live without.

I decided not to let the pain slow down my progress, so I climbed out of bed and changed into my workout clothes.



After admiring my slimmer figure in the mirror for a moment, I went downstairs to meet Sofie in the garage as usual. Today I was running on the treadmill and she was doing leg extensions on Pete’s fancy weight machine.



I’d really begun to feel better about myself. My stamina was increasing; I could run longer and faster now. I was no athlete, but I was doing pretty well for someone of my fitness. Exercising was really helping build my confidence, and I suspect it had a lot more to do with my sudden elated mood than anyone gave it credit for. Mostly, people just assumed I was so happy lately because of Sean.



I had just reached the five mile marker on the treadmill when the doorbell rang.

“Who could that be?” I asked, puzzled.

“I don’t know, I’m not expecting anyone, are you?” Sophia said, panting.

“No. But I’ll get it, I was done anyway.”

I grabbed a towel and wiped my face before heading to the front door. It was only a small surprise to see Sean standing on the other side.

“Hey Sean! What are you doing here so early?” I said, opening the door.



“Sorry, I know it’s early. But I was just in the neighborhood.”

I eyed him suspiciously. People always said that when really they’d gone out of their way to see you.

“No, really. I had an interview over at Lakeview Hospital this morning. And your street is on the way back. I saw the lights on, so I knew someone was up. I should have waited until later, but I just had to tell someone… I got the job! You’re looking at the new emergency room doctor of Lakeview!”



“Wow, that’s great! You should come over tonight and we can all celebrate. What do you say?”

“Sounds like a plan,” Sean said, laughing. “I guess I’d better be on my way now, it looks like I interrupted you.” He glanced at my outfit curiously.

“Oh, no. Sofie and I were just working out. But I was done.”



“Working out? Hmm,” he eyed me disapprovingly.

“What is that look for?” I asked defensively.

“Oh… nothing.”

“Come on Sean, lay off. I know what you’re thinking. That I don’t look like a person who works out. That I need to try harder. But I – “

“Whoa, whoa,” he interrupted, holding up his hands innocently. “Slow down, Kat. I was only thinking that you don’t need to change. That’s all.”



“What?”

“I mean… you’re beautiful. Just the way you are.”

“Oh. Um, thanks?” I stammered.

“Sorry, I know it’s not my place.” He sighed and reached for the doorknob. “I should be going. See you later, Kat.” He winked at me as he walked through the door and shut it behind him.

I smiled a moment too late, he was gone. I stood alone in the foyer processing what had just happened. Was Sean hitting on me? I didn’t have long to think about it before I heard giggling behind me.

“How long have you been standing there?” I asked Sophia.



“Long enough to see Sean give you the googly eyes! Hahaha!”

“Aw, cut it out, Sof. It’s not like that.”

“Sure, sure,” she said, gaining her composure. “So… what did he want?”



“He got a job at Lakeview, just stopped by to share the news. I’m sure he’s too excited to contain it. Oh, yeah, is it okay if we go out with Sean tonight? I kind of told him we’d celebrate.”

“Why don’t you two go out alone?”

“No way! That would be too much like a date!”

“Exactly.” Sophia smiled wryly at me.

“Sof, you know Sean and I are just friends,” I complained.

“Yeah. I know. You tell me like, every day. If you weren’t so defensive maybe I’d actually believe you,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Come on, I need some water after working up such a sweat.”



I followed my annoyingly lovable sister into the kitchen and sat at the bartop.

“Okay fine, we’ll hang out with you guys tonight,” Sophia said, grabbing two bottles of water from the fridge. “But come on, Kat. I see the way you guys bring out the best in each other. Do you have to be so hard on your friends for being hopeful? We only want to see you happy.”



“I know, and I’m glad you care so much. But I am happy. I’m happy just being his friend. Besides, I’m looking for a relationship right now.”

“Yeah, and people don’t go looking for snakes, but that won't stop one from jumping out and biting you in the butt.”

“What does that mean?” I said, unable to stop myself from laughing at Sophia’s crazy analogy.

“It means,” she waved her bottle in the air dramatically, “that you won’t find love when you’re looking for it! It’s going to take you completely by surprise! Don’t be so blind that you miss it!”

“Uh-huh… so how about Maggiano’s for dinner?”

Sophia looked at me, debating whether or not to fall for my attempt at changing the subject, but before she could decide, the phone rang.

“I’ll get it,” she said, picking up the phone and checking the caller ID. “Hmm, it’s Lakeview Hospital. Didn’t you say that’s where Sean got hired?”



“Yeah, maybe he put Pete down as a character reference or something,” I suggested, puzzled as to why the hospital would be calling the house.

“Hello?... Oh hey Momma… what?...



… No!...

… how did it happen?!...

…

… okay, I’ll tell her.”



Sophia put down the phone and sniffed. I could tell she was crying.

“Kat,” her voice cracked through her tears, “Momma was in an accident, and… Nonno is… dead.”



The weight of her words crashed over me, and just like that all the happiness in my life was gone.