"HEY, WHAT'S that there?" 

The man stiffened as he peered up. 

Amora closed the gap, then snickered. "Hmm, that's a cool-looking phone. Almost looks new..." She cocked her head. "Give it back."

The man chuckled. "This?" He held it up, showing off the screen. A deep crack ran down its center. "This definitely isn't new."

It was her turn to stiffen. "Listen... what's your name, buddy?" 

"Huh?"

"What? Is English not your native language, or something?"

A beat passed. 

The man smirked. "You weren't this way in the elevator. My name's Thomas."

"Really? Cause you look like you should be named Dick." Amora looked down at the phone. "Listen, I know you have mine. The last time I saw it was in the elevator, so give it here." She extended a hand, palm-up. 

Thomas studied her, brow raised. Then, with another chuckle, he reached into his pocket. "I take it this thing is new then." He pulled out another phone, paused, then placed it in her palm. 

"See, you did take it! You really can't trust anybody these days." With that, she sneered and whipped around. 

When she reached the parking lot, however, Amora paused and turned. Moments later, she retraced her steps. 

"You're coming back? Why?"

Amora narrowed her eyes. "What? You're not going to explain yourself? You were gonna let me walk anyway? This was too easy."

"We-"

"Nothing's this easy."

Thomas leaned against the building. "Well, you never asked. You only assumed."

Amora resisted an eye roll. "Okay, explain yourself."

"Remember when the elevator shook? That was when your phone fell out." He offered a smile. "I was waiting to give it back."

Another beat passed. 

She looked to her feet, pinching her nose. "So... you really waited out here for an hour?" Then she peered up and shook her head. "That's insane."

Thomas nodded. "I know. I'm pretty awesome, aren't I?"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

"What's your name?"

"Huh?"

The man tilted his head. "What? Is English not your native language, or something?"

A smile slipped over her. "Okay, you got me. I'm... Amora. Don't wear it out."

Thomas let out a loud gasp, hand over mouth. "Wait, is that a-a smile? It can't be!"

Amora lifted a brow. "Well, I'm almost certain this whole thing was a misunderstanding."

He chuckled. 

"Well, maybe 95%."

He remained silent. 

"Maybe 90%, actually."

Thomas began to look past her, stiff. "Hmm, that's strange."

After following his gaze, then searching, she huffed. "You're messing with me, huh?"

The man straightened. "Well, I didn't steal it back, did I? Does that earn me 5%?"

She mumbled under her breath, then turned toward the parking lot. "I'm sorry about what happened, by the way."

"What do you mean?"

She glanced back. "Oh, uh, you're in a hospital for a reason." Then she winked and started off. "I hope we don't see each other again!"

-

It was picked up after the second ring.

"Hey, uh, Mom?" With her free hand, she tapped the wheel. "Are you there?"

There was a pause.

"Amora, dear? Is that you?"

She could hear the smile. "Yes, it's me... How are you doing? We haven't talked in a while."

Her mother chuckled. "You always were sarcastic. Oh, dear, you were here just yesterday."

Amora paled, staring out into the parking lot. "Uh, yeah, I was... I'm just being sarcastic."

This was a reason she dreaded calling her mother. Each time, without fail, she'd be reminded of the Alzheimer's.

Amora sighed. "Well, anything on your mind lately?"

"I'd love for you to come back, but then I'd be spoiled. You've got a life, too."

Now, bowing her head, she closed her eyes. "I can make room for you, don't worry. I'll come by today. Does that sound okay?"

"Oh, I knew you had a good heart!" her mother said. "You always make me so proud, single or not."

Amora's face heated up. "Oh, let's not get ahead of ourselves. I won't be coming with lasagna!"

Her mother chuckled. "Well, I'll see you soon, dear!"

"Bye, Mom." Then, after hanging up, she went to shove it in her pocket. 

That was when she stiffened. 

There was something else inside: a slip of paper. 

She pulled it out, brow raised, and froze. Scribbled across was a phone number. 

Thomas. 

When she followed his look, Amora had been distracted. 

It was his. 

-

Purse clutched, she approached the automated doors. After going through, she was blown by the rotational fan to her left. Then, with a sigh, she undid her grip and neared the front desk. 

"Hello," she said, "I'm here for my mother, Kara Kinley."

The receptionist began to type away. "You're her daughter, correct?" She offered a smile. 

"Yes, yes, that would be me." Then she looked to her nametag. "And I guess you're Ms. Debbie. No Karen today."

The receptionist laughed. "Yeah, she got off work around noon. That's when I take over."

Amora smiled, then looked to the clock. 2:12 PM. "Room 23, right?"

"That is correct."

After rounding the corner, she watched the passing room numbers. 

Last Sunday, she had fidgeted, willing to escape. 

Not this Sunday. 

Head held high, she stopped before room '23' and knocked. "Mom, I'm here!" She pressed her ear to the door. "I brought lasagna!"

Moments later, footsteps drew near. Then, with a sudden swing, her mother pulled it open. 

"Hey, Mom."

The woman smiled. "Hello, dear, come on in."

While stepping past, Amora looked her over. 

Her hair, brown and shoulder-length, was in a messy bun. As for her clothing, it hung over her small frame, mismatched. And just as before, her posture was hunched, her head a little too forward. 

Amora straightened beside the door. "It's good to see you, Mom. It's been a week."

Her mother closed the door, then turned for the bed. "Oh, it really is, dear." She got up, slow and steady, then scooted back. "So, where's the lasagna?"

Amora smiled. "Oh, that? I just wanted you to let me in."

Her mother raised a brow. "You visit me empty-handed? This is unacceptable."

She laughed. 

Her mother smiled. "Now, come over and give me a hug." She extended her arms. "You know I can't get enough of these."

After closing the gap, then hugging back, she leveled. "Mom... what I'm gonna say, you might not understand... but I don't care."

A beat passed. 

"Mom?"

The woman searched her, head tilted. "Things just got interesting. What is it, dear?"

Amora stifled a chuckle, then sank into a plastic chair. Fingers twined, she leaned in, staring back. "You know I love you, right?"

Her mother remained quiet. 

"Right?"

"Yes... but how wouldn't I know that?" 

Amora looked down, repositioned, then met her face. "Mom, I know you don't always remember things, but I'm sick of using you. You make me out as a great daughter who always visits-"

"-which you do."

"Mom, but I don't."

Another beat passed. 

Amora cleared her throat. "Mom, the last time I visited was a week ago. And before that? I don't even know. But no matter the gap between visits, we hug and you just don't notice. But from now on?" For a moment, she paused, blinking hard. "From now on, I'll visit you religiously."

"Dear-"

"Even if you don't know, I will."

Now, staring ahead, she was shaking her head. 

Amora straightened. "Mom, are you good?"

Then, after rubbing her jaw, she sighed. "You act like I'm the one who doesn't understand. Really, though, it's quite the opposite."

"What do you mean?"

When she turned, the sparkle in her eyes was gone. 

"Mom?"

"Dear, you don't have to visit every week. I'll love you the same. To me, you'll always be a great daughter; that's just how it is."

"Yeah, but it's not fair!" Amora blurted out. "It's not fair that I can run off and do whatever. It's not fair that this is some sort of chore. I should be doing this with joy, Mom."

"I'll forget this conversation... but you won't, so listen." Then her mother studied her. "To me, you're perfect. To the world, you're just another girl." A pause. "But the moment they see inside your heart, they'll see what I see: an exception."

Amora wiped at an eye. "Mom, I don't understand."

"You may be sassy, dear, but you care. I can tell this much. You just hate when others see it."

As if on cue, Amora's phone vibrated. After clearing her eyes, she pulled it out, then read the message. 

A chill ran down her spine.

-

She marched down the hallways. Each wall and floor were sterile; each room, no matter its purpose, gave off that metallic smell. And the people, crowding the way, chatted amongst themselves. 

Amora hated hospitals; always did. 

Moments later, she'd stop before a door and knock. 

It was silent. 

"Willow, it's Amora! Open up!" She knocked again. "Ple-"

Then the knob clicked. When the door opened, a man, stiff and tall, scowled down. "Amora, huh?" He turned back. "Your friend's pretty dramatic." Then, head held high, he nudged past her. 

Amora blinked hard. After peeking in, she entered, locking the door behind her. "What was that all about?"

Reclined upright, Willow wiped at her face. "Are you... talking about the text?"

"What else would I be talking about?" After watching from a distance, she sighed and plopped into a chair. "Willow, I'm worried about you. What's going on here?"

"It's just that..." she trailed off. 

"You said Jonny was here and that you needed me."

"Yeah, a-and it was stupid." Her friend shook her head. "I just wanted you to come and talk some sense into him."

"Come again?"

Willow sniffled. "He's breaking it off with me because I can't walk. If anything, I-I'd need a wheelchair..."

Amora paled, searching for words. "Sorry, what? He's not interested anymore over that petty reason?!"

Her frame shook. Her fingers dwindled. "Yes."

Then, all-too-sudden, she snapped to her feet. "Listen, okay? Just listen." Over her friend, and looking down, she smiled. "To me, you're a great person. Others may not see it, but I do. This Jonny dude... he hasn't known you long enough to see into your heart; to see what I see."

"Amora, ple-"

"You're exceptional, Willow. You're not like the others that come and go."

Then, with a small huff, she shook her head. "That was the cheesiest thing I've ever heard. That's something a mom would say."

If only you knew. 

"But... thank you."

"You're welcome." Then, after sitting back down, she crossed her legs. "Hey, uh, there's actually something I've been wondering."

"And you want to mention it, I take it, so go ahead." 

Amora bit her lip. "Remember how you mentioned swimming?"

"Huh?" For a moment, she stared when it clicked. "Ah, during our pillow fight, huh?"

Amora nodded. 

Her friend tapped her chin, dropping her gaze. "Well, as much as I loved swimming, we just went too much. A few times a week is quite a bit."

A pause. 

"I'm sorry, then," Amora mumbled. "I really thought you enjoyed it. We did it all the time, too, during those summer months."

"Well," Willow went on, "I may not have liked the swimming, but I enjoyed spending time with you."

Amora raised a brow, then smiled. "You're a good friend, you know that?"

"I know."

And just then, shoving her hands in her pockets, she felt that note. 

It was the same one Thomas had given her. 

With a slow hand, she pulled it out, examining it. 

"What's with that smile?"

Amora flinched and forced a frown. "What ever do you mean?"

"I mean..." she said, gesturing, "what's that?" 

Amora followed her eyes, then let out a gasp. "What, this?" And she held it up, hanging her mouth. 

"Oh, don't play dumb."

Amora dropped the act. "Fine, it's, well, it's a number."

Now, leaned in with large eyes, her friend laughed. "What, are you gonna leave me in the dark? From who?"

"That man in the elevator."

Willow went quiet. "So, maybe, just maybe, it'll be like Wattpad! Maybe you two were destined."

"Honey, this is not Wattpad. That's the problem..." But then she lifted a brow. "Even after Jonny, you still think I should add his number? Are you sure?"

Her friend hugged herself. 

"He might be horrible, too."

Willow cleared her throat. "I just know that you'll never know if you don't take the chance. After... Bridger, your life has been put on pause. I just want you to have traction in your life again."

Amora sighed, the nodded. "Yeah, I... I know what you mean." 

"Yeah."

"So, you really think I should do it?"

Her friend smiled. "Most definitely. I'd love to see you with a boyfriend! I'm sure your mom would, too."

"I don't know if I should."

This time, she huffed, arms crossed. "I may not be able to walk, but I can crawl! If you don't, I will."

And in that moment, as she stared, then smiled, Amora decided it was time. 

She was going to take a chance. 

Perhaps he was better than most. 

Maybe he was exceptional. 

Hey, all! This chapter had gone through many changes. I'd be lying to say it wasn't frustrating, so I'm just glad it's over, lol. I've been trying to length my chapters to 2,000 words. At times, this can be daunting. Anyway, I'm curious if you prefer this length or not. 

Also, on another note, we're making progress! We're definitely getting there. A lot of plot points were filled in here, so that's a plus. *high fives self*

Well, I guess that's about it. I hope you're well about God bless. <3