The idea from themintjournal is cracking, I'm working in that one. Happy to field other suggestions via pm if anyone has any... will prevent spoilers for others
Their trip to the movies was arranged for the Thursday evening. They were going straight from work on the rare occasion that their shifts were perfectly in sync for the next few days.
He'd happily been going along to watch the Marvel movies as they were coming out and he was happy in the knowledge that there were many more to come. This one was a throwback back to their first trip and the thought of it made him smile more than usual.
"Looking forward to tonight?" Audrey asked as they picked up a quick coffee from the lobby in the middle of a hectic day.
The patient they had admitted via the ER a few days earlier had so far undergone almost twenty hours of surgery so far in an attempt to save his leg. Audrey had been in on each one of them so far and it was finally confirmed that today would be the sad day that the leg would be removed above the knee.
"I'll be looking forward to the distraction" she continued before he could answer. "I really feel for this guy. Just minding his business helping other people and now his life has changed forever" she said with a sigh.
"They'll do the best they can" he said softly, trying to reassure her. "You always do."
"I know" she replied. "But I feel attached to this one. Not sure why."
"Don't tell me that rough, tough Audrey Lim is nervous?"
"Maybe?" she replied. "I haven't assisted on an amputation before. It's so precise, so important to get things perfect. That's more your style than mine."
"You'll be fine" he reassured her. "It'll be tough for sure. But you'll do tougher things over the next few years and you'll smash them out of the park like you always do."
She smiled.
"Best get this done then" she said draining her cup. "I'll see you later, do you want a ride?" she asked.
"Did you come in on the bike?"
"I did?"
"I think I'll pass thanks. You'll never get me on that thing" he laughed. "Knock 'em dead Aud."
X
Later was a long time coming and by the time they were ready to leave, Audrey felt totally washed out. The surgery had gone on longer than expected but she was very happy to see that he had waited. He was sat on a bench on the raised walkway at the rear entrance to the hospital scrolling through his phone.
"Hey" he said getting to his feet as she approached. "You ready, or do you want to take a rain check?"
"I'm ready" she smiled. "Think I could get a ride with you though?" she asked. "I'm exhausted after that epic procedure and with the rain, I'm just thinking a lift might be best."
"No need to explain, any time. Let's go" he smiled.
They drove to the movie theatre in silence, Audrey with her head against the seat back with her eyes closed. Her glanced over at her now and again, but she hardly moved during the entire drive, he wasn't totally sure she was awake.
They had driven to a theatre slightly further away than normal to try and avoid the crowds normally associated with an evening showing. It was fine that Kevin and Jo knew about their little jaunts, but they weren't keen to become part of the hospital rumour mill and didn't really want to run into anyone they might know.
As he turned into the parking lot, she opened her eyes, giving them a rub. They were relieved to see lots of empty spaces, it was not going to be packed out tonight, just as they liked it. They had still pre- booked tickets just in case but it looked like they would have their choice of seats.
With their snacks in hand, Neil waited patiently while Audrey paid a visit to the bathroom. This was also a ritual, she would never get a drink to take into the showing for the fear if having to miss some of the movie taking a trip to the bathroom later on. One of her many quirks.
"Dr Melendez?" he heard, distracting him from watching the trailers showing on a small screen on the wall. He turned to see one of the RNs from the surgical ward holding the hand of a young boy.
"Hi" he smiled.
"You're looking a bit lost" she smiled back. "This place is a bit far from home for you isn't it?" she asked innocently.
"It is, but it's nice and quiet" he replied. 'No queues" he smiled, gesturing to the empty concession counter. "What are you here to see?"
"We've been to see Cars 2" the child replied. "I like Lightening McQueen!"
"Is it good?" Neil asked and the child nodded enthusiastically. "Don't tell me the end" he smiled, "I might go see that next."
The child gave him a big smile.
"Ready?" Audrey announced, almost skipping up next to him. "Ah, hi" she said, noticing who he was talking to.
"Dr Lim? Hi? I didn't expect to see you here, I didn't realise you two were..."
"Friends" Neil interjected.
"Sure, sorry" she replied. "We should get going" she continued after an awkward few seconds. "This one has school in the morning. Enjoy the movie. "
"Sure, thanks" Audrey replied.
"Thanks" he replied.
They walked slowly to the screen in silence and found their seats. The lights weren't all the way out yet, the trailers were yet to begin.
"Was that weird" she whispered eventually.
"Seeing someone we know? A little bit" he said shrugging his shoulders. "We see people from work outside the hospital all the time."
"But not just the two of us. What if she thinks..."
"Does it matter what she thinks?" he interrupted. "We're friends yes?"
She nodded.
"So we can see a movie or two or ten together if we want. Men and women can be friends without having to be sleeping together" he rambled, sounding frustrated. He was a little worried that she'd start to overthink things and put an end to these trips. He certainly did not want that.
Before either of them could say anymore, the lights went right down and the certificate for the main feature flashed up. He was relieved in a way, that the conversation was over for now and she's be so enthralled for the next couple of hours, it wouldn't even cross her mind.
As usual, he watched the movie just enough to understand the story but the rest of the time he watched her. He smiled when she laughed and during one particular explosion, she startled so much, she instinctively grabbed his hand and kept hold of it. They sat with their fingers linked until she took her hand away to get herself some more popcorn but there was no awkwardness, no snatching her hand away when she noticed. It all felt quite natural.
X
The credits rolled and the simultaneously stretched their legs and smiled over at each other.
"Fancy dinner" she asked, surprising him.
"I do" he smiled. "What do you fancy?"
"Great, I'll pick the place. Come on" she said getting to her feet.
They chatted about the movie on the way back to the car, it was a mild evening so they didn't rush. As usual, Neil opened the passenger door for Audrey and as his hand rested on the door frame, her hand brushed his. There was no jumping apart, no awkward looks. Was this the new normal?
"Where we going?" he asked.
"I'll give you directions" she said smiling.
Fifteen minutes later, she had directed him to park up kerbside down the street from a food truck.
"This is dinner?" Neil asked.
"This is the best truck in the city" she stated flatly. "Look at the queue, there wouldn't be one if it was bad."
"Really?"
"Yes, really" she said with a laugh moving to get out of the car. She shut the car door with gusto and he flinched. His old car was fragile!
"Come on, trust me" she said walking ahead.
"Always" he said quietly, so quietly she didn't hear.