Chapter 12 - THE DATE THAT ALMOST DIDN'T HAPPEN
Six weeks later, Wren began working at an independent rehabilitation clinic.
Enzo had a new nursing team.
The transition had been carefully planned.
Their professional relationship was over.
On a Friday evening, Enzo called Wren.
She answered on the third ring.
"Hello?"
"Wren."
"Enzo."
He hesitated.
"Would you have dinner with me?"
She smiled.
"That depends."
"On what?"
"Whether you're planning to interrogate me about my punctuality."
Enzo laughed.
"No."
"Then yes."
Their first date took place at a small restaurant overlooking Lake Michigan.
Enzo arrived in his wheelchair.
Wren arrived wearing the black boots he'd bought her.
He noticed immediately.
"Nice boots."
She smiled.
"Some overbearing man gave them to me."
Enzo laughed.
They talked for hours.
About childhood.
About fear.
About the lives they'd imagined before everything changed.
Wren admitted she'd wanted to become a flight nurse.
But financial problems had interrupted her training.
Enzo asked whether she still wanted it.
She hesitated.
"Maybe."
He smiled.
"Then you should."
She studied him.
"You're not going to offer to pay for everything?"
Enzo shook his head.
"No."
Wren looked surprised.
He continued.
"I'm going to ask what kind of support you'd actually want."
Wren smiled.
"That's better."
After dinner, they walked—or rolled—along the lakefront.
The wind was cold.
The city lights reflected on the water.
Enzo stopped.
"Wren."
She turned.
"Yes?"
He looked at her.
"May I kiss you?"
Wren laughed softly.
"Finally."
She leaned down.
Their lips met.
May you like
And for the first time in eight months, Enzo felt something stronger than grief.
Hope.
