The days drug on and on for Nicole. Another week had passed. Nicole had the day she was getting the cast off. It was on her phone calendar with the word FREEDOM! written in big letters. She and Lynn were talking on the phone.

"Have you booked your flight?" Lynn asked.

"Yeah, just this morning."

"I can't wait to see you."

"I can't wait to see you either."

"It's been a long time."

"I know." "I think the last time was in 2017."

"I think you're right." "I can't wait to rejoin the living."

"I set us up for a spa day when you come."

"That sounds good."

"I know some who's single."

"No." "No fix ups."

"Why?"

"I don't want to date."

"Why?"

"I just don't." "I'm happy with the way things are."

"With you being alone?"

"Yes." "I've done the relationship thing, I've done the marriage thing, twice." "It doesn't work for me."

"Alright." "I won't bring it up again."

"Thank you." "Do I have to make a reservation at a hotel?"

"No we still have the guesthouse."

"I just thought I'd ask because the last time I was there you were talking about turning it into a gym."

"Yeah, we decided against it."

"That'll save me some money." She said jokingly.

She laughed. "Yeah."

Two nights later John was visiting John T.

"Hi." John said appearing in Nicole's doorway.

"Hi." "Come in." He went in and sat on the edge of the bed.

"What's up?"

"A lot of nothing."

"Three more weeks."

"I know." "I can't wait."

"Got any plans after the cast comes off?"

"Yeah." "I'm going on a little weekend getaway."

"Alone?"

"Yeah."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to visit Lynn." "I haven't see her in three years."

"Do you ever talk to George?"

From time to time."

"I haven't talked to him since the night before I left for college."

"He told me about that." "He said you were very sad."

"I was." "The woman I loved just dumped me." "What did they say when you told them I'm John's father?"

"I haven't yet."

"What do you mean you haven't yet?" "It's been months."

"I don't know how to tell them."

"You don't know how to tell them, or you don't want to tell them?" He said getting angry.

"John."

"No Nicole, don't you John me." "I thought we were passed this but you're looking out for yourself again." "You were always ashamed of our relationship, ashamed of me." "I'm leaving." He stood up.

"John wait."

"No." He left.