By 5:30 p.m, Carla is still at the hospital, but finally winding down. She sits at her locker, untying her sneakers, the exhaustion of the day sinking deep into her bones.
She stares at her phone for a long minute, Derek's earlier texts flashing through her mind.
The door creaks open, and another nurse pops her head in. "You heading out, Carla?"
"Yeah," she says, voice thick with tiredness. "Just give me five."
Alone again, she pulls up her chat with Derek and types
I'm going to her place after work. I'll keep her busy. You just keep stalling.
His reply comes instantly.
Derek: okay love. See you for dinner.
Carla doesn't need the reminder. She shoves her things into her bag, squares her shoulders, and heads out into the cool night.
