Kelly jumped up and helped her to her feet. "Absolutely. The cafeteria is just down the hall."
After piling plates of food on their trays, they chose a table and sat down. For the first several minutes the only sound heard at their table was of the forks clinking against plates. "So, are you going to tell me what happened, or do I have to bribe your nurse to tell me?"
"Oh, I'm not her nurse, I'm just a friend." When she looked unconvinced Dani elaborated further. "I was a nurse, but I quit to raise my daughter. That was nearly five years ago."
"Are you planning on going back into the nursing field, or will you try something different?" Kelly watched her closely as she waited for the answer.
"I'd like to go back to nursing. It's what I love. As soon as Madison is in school, I'll see what I need to do to recertify and try to get a job." She set her fork down and reached for her glass as Kelly turned her attention back to Alex.
"Friends can be more difficult to bribe, but not impossible. What do you say, Alex? Care to tell me or do I have to hear it from someone else?"
Alex gently placed her fork down across her plate and leaned back. "There's not much to tell. It was a simple accident. I went for a jog, got hit by a car, and woke up in the hospital with a few broken bones. The good news is that everything turned out okay, and I ended up with a few new friends." She took a drink of her iced tea, and leaned back in her chair.
"Still terribly secretive I see." Alex shrugged, refusing to rise to the bait. "I hope you find someone you can trust enough to be yourself with, Alexis." She tilted her head towards Dani. "She has no idea who you are, does she?"
Alex frowned as she looked at an openly curious Dani. "She knows who I am, not who I was. I'm no longer the Alexis Mohr you remember, Kelly. There will come a time when I will explain to them who I was, but I'm not ready yet. I hope you can honor that."
Kelly nodded her head as a look of sadness crossed her features. "I will. You know I just want you to be happy."
Alex reached across the table and grabbed Kelly's left hand. She traced her thumb over the wedding band and asked, "Speaking of happy, when do I get to meet the lucky lady?"
Kelly turned unsure eyes to her and asked, "Really?" Alex nodded. "I'd like that. I'll talk to Natalie and let you know."
"Sounds like a plan. Just remember that I'm not able to drive for a while yet."
"We'll work something out." She pushed back from the table and picked up her tray. "How about we stop off at my office before you go. I have something I'd like to give you."
By the time they reached Kelly's office, Alex's pain medication had begun to take effect, and she was having difficulty focusing. "What the hell is in those pills?"
Kelly grimaced. "First time you've taken one?"
"Probably the last," she grumbled as her legs gave out again. Kelly caught her and helped her to one of the chairs near the desk.
"They're a pretty strong tranquilizer, and judging by the effect they're having on you, you'll be asleep before long."
"Do you have a wheelchair handy? I think we'll need one to get her to the car," Dani said as she sat beside her, keeping a close eye on her friend. Kelly nodded and reached for the phone. As they waited for it to arrive, Dani watched Alex fight the effect of the drugs in her system.
"In all the time I knew her, I never saw Alexis take anything stronger than an aspirin." Kelly shook her head. "She refused to ever have more than one drink, too. She said she never wanted to lose control. I can't imagine how this is making her feel." Before Dani could comment, a knock at the door signaled the arrival of the wheelchair. Together they managed to get Alex into the chair as she drifted in and out of sleep.
Alex opened her eyes, and reached out. "Kelly?"
As she squatted beside the chair she answered, "I'm right here."
Alex looked at her and frowned. She reached a hand out and cupped Kelly's cheek and exhaled forcefully as her eyes began to glisten. "I'm sorry I hurt you. I never meant to. I was stupid, and you were so good to me. I really did love you, but I was just so afraid." She sighed. "I'm tired of being afraid."
Kelly pulled her hand from her cheek, and placed a kiss on the knuckles. "It was a very long time ago, honey, and I've forgiven you. You don't need to be sorry anymore. It really was for the best, you'll see." She smiled as Alex drifted off to sleep. She stood and looked over at a slightly embarrassed Dani. "She probably won't remember that when she wakes up, and if it's all the same to you, I'd rather you didn't remind her. It would only embarrass her, and I'm not sure our fragile friendship can handle that right now. I really hope we can be friends again. I've missed having her in my life."
Dani nodded her understanding, and placed her purse in Alex's lap. "I should really let you get back to work, and get her home. Thank you so much for the tour, and for lunch. I really appreciate it."
Kelly reached over and plucked an envelope from the corner of her desk. "It was my pleasure. I'll help you take sleeping beauty to the car." She walked them out, and waited while Dani woke Alex, and convinced her to get into the car. "You
