Love, Amor, Amour

《Chapter 3》

♡

Geoffrey had a hangover, yes. That didn't mean Mina was going to be nice about him getting drunk on a school night. And now, because of a said hangover; he wasn't in school.

She understood that yesterday was the first day back from fall break and all. That didn't mean he could skip on going to school like that because he was nursing his hangover.

Mina was angry with her brother, she had a right to be. She had just covered for him with their parents, lied to their parents. Lied for him.

"Mom says to make sure you don't let your grades slip and to come home before curfew tonight."

Mina placed her cell phone on the coffee table and sipped her peppermint tea from her mug. Facing her brother's tired face, she fixed him a frown.

"Thanks and for letting me stay here today."

Geoffrey didn't want to talk with his sister because although, she means well; Mina is sometimes harsh and too motherly with things concerning his life. His problem was best left unsaid. He knew Mina had too much going on as it is, between working, writing, and volunteering; Geoffrey wondered how her best friend got her to go out and have fun sometimes.

"I want to know why... and I mostly did it for Harvey's sake; he likes company and unfortunately for him, Heidi has a job interview today."

"Right porqué el es tu único hijo and you trust no one...so, where is she interviewing this time?" (translation: because he is your only son.)

Even though Geo was absolutely right, Mina refused to acknowledge the comment and answered his question stating how Heidi had gotten her interview as an assistant to an upscale C.E.O. by some friends with connections.

"Cool beans, so..are you headed to the bakery or is it a volunteering day?", Mina didn't like the fact that he wouldn't talk with her about his problems. After all, Mina was Geoffrey's best friend since he had broken his hand at ten years old by punching Mina's first and only boyfriend. Long story, short; Geoffrey heard him talking smack about his sister and decided he was a no good, lying, twat and gave the guy a bloody nose. Geo explained the story to his sister after being brought to the hospital and they've been looking out for each other ever since.

So for Geoffrey to not want to talk about his problems with Mina, was a pretty big deal to her. She was really more upset than angry at Geo.

"Both, but the hospital volunteering isn't until five, so I'll be going now and text me when you leave to go home."

When Geo nodded Mina went to grab her sweater from her room. She tossed her phone in her purse first and made sure to grab her keys. Upon seeing Harvey on her heels, she picked him up and laid him on Geoffrey's lap.

"Love you, Geo, bye Harvey be good."

Mina patted both her boys on the head and left after she heard Geoffrey's response of "love you too."

Mina was in better spirits by the time five o'clock came around. She was on the highway now, on her fifteen-minute drive to the IU Health Bloomington Hospital. She took this time to relax and enjoy the speed. The roar of the wind from the rolled down back windows and the melody of the music playing on her favorite radio station.

There's just something about driving on the highway at an accelerating speed that felt of freedom.

She wasn't one of those people who lived on the wild side, but when she found herself in such a situation; Mina tried reliving it. All her life she's been told the choice to make, never learning from mistakes. Always did right from wrong, never picked a fight and opted to be the bigger person. Mina did all her parents asked, wanting to make them happy. It's only when Heidi moved back to town that Mina had become a bit more adventurous. Heidi and Mina were polar opposites during high school. While Mina was in the student council, Heidi was a softball player. While Mina skipped prom to keep studying for her finals, Heidi was at prom dancing with her date and closest friends. While Mina was on stage as valedictorian, Heidi was in her seat waiting until it was over for the graduation party to start. They only met once in high school when Heidi was stuck in a bathroom stall waiting on a friend to bring her some emergency pants. Mina was coming from the lunchroom when she heard a girl whispering to herself how stupid she was for forgetting her period was coming soon. Mina decided to help her and that was the first and last time they interacted in high school.

The temperature had dropped when Mina had stepped out of the car and into the frosty afternoon. She had changed her capri pants as soon as she left the bakery, to some pajama jeans left in her car just in case.

She hugged herself tightly as she jogged to the hospital entrance. Smiling at the ladies at the front desk, she made herself step onto the elevator and to the west wing. Signed in, she tagged along with some familiar nurses. Mina went from room to room talking and listening to patients. Some were recognizable patients that she had gotten to know fairly well, others were recently administered into the hospital. The last patient she visited that day though, really caught her off guard.

"Hi Mr. François, I'm Mi-"

"Get out."

"Excuse me?"

"You're excused, leave."

Wow, someone's grumpy... Mina stepped closer to the patient's bed, taking silent steps and observing the lump under the sheets that were turned away from her.

She didn't even know the guy's full name and she already disliked him and his rudeness.

"Get out before I call a real nurse and report you."

Mina snorted and rolled her eyes. "For?"

"Disturbing the peace."

Mr. François was not in the mood to be bothered and the woman, he knew to be closer than before, was indeed disturbing his peace and quiet.

"That makes no sense, anyway what can I get you Mr. François, chit-chat, juice, applesauce?"

Mina has dealt with rude customers at Cookie Crumbs and isn't going to leave Mr. Grumpy alone. Sometimes patients need more than just visits and nurses for them here when something's happened to them. That's why she volunteers.

Mr. François didn't need anything, he didn't speak for a while until Mina put on the music channels and started to sing, mumbling along to the beat.

He groaned, a strong and husky groan, rolling onto his back and covered his face with one arm. His arm had muscle, Mina noticed. Not bulging but potent enough to be noticed because of how thick. Well maybe at this angle, though Mina as she sang quieter while staring at Mr. François' arm.

Mina felt no remorse for checking out this patient's arms. She always did have a thing for strong biceps on men.

As music kept playing, she moved around silently. Mina wanted to see his face but he wouldn't move an inch. She sang to songs she liked and stopped when she was too close to him. When her phone vibrated, Mina saw it was really late. She's never stayed volunteering this long before. She stood and walked to the door. "Well it's time for me to go home, but I'll see you Thursday, Mr. François"

He didn't respond.

Mina shook her head and left, closing the door behind her. She didn't notice the eyes peeping at her direction from under the arm on Mr. Françoise's face.

He liked her singing, didn't mind the music when she was there singing to him, but it's not like he'd ever admitted that to the tall brunette.