Lessons From the Professor(2)

The reflection that greeted her in the four by four inch mirror attached to her locker seemed to mock with its spinster-like appearance. Her hair was pulled back in a severe bun, and her face was bare of make-up. If she was honest, the first word that came to her mind was austere. Irritated, she removed the pins from her bun and ran her fingers through her shoulder length brown hair, mussing it with her fingers. Much better. She reached into her locker, pulled out her black cosmetics bag, and went to work.

Ten minutes later she was ready to go with a light coat of gold eye-shadow, vintage-style cat-eye liquid eye-liner, pink blush, brown lip gloss, and a dusting of bronzer. Tonight she’d have a few drinks, share some laughs, and go home feeling less like a fifty year old matron and more like the thirty-one year old single woman she truly was. After the bitter end of her engagement to her college sweetheart, Sutton had thrown herself into her career. Life had been tough growing up as the eldest of five siblings with a widowed mother.

When her father had passed away from a heart attack she’d been the one who cooked meals and oversaw homework and nightly routines while her mother worked two jobs to provide from them.

When she’d seen the rock and the hard place her mother was placed in without a college degree, she’d vowed to make a career for herself before she considered settling down to have a family.

“Enough,” she whispered.

She had all of the things she’d been working hard for. A condo, a paid-off car, and a good position at a steady job. It was time to relax and enjoy her accomplishments. Sutton shimmied into a pair of fitted dark denims, pulled her black tank top over her head, and slipped into a pair of low heeled black sandals. She grabbed her purse, and walked over to the bathroom mirrors where the girls were putting the final touches on their appearances.

“If the offer’s still on the table I think I’ll join you ladies.”

“Finally!” Leigh spun around and crushed her in an exuberant hug.

The impulsive move made Sutton laugh. She loved the free-spirited nature Leigh possessed. From the moment they met the two had been the perfect balance of opposites. Leigh had this infectious aura of energy and joy that surrounded her. It was one of the reasons Sutton enjoyed being around the other woman so much. It was easy to become burned out and give into negativity in the health care profession.

She did her best to avoid nurses “on their way out” because their pessimism could spread like a cancer through the crew. It was a phenomenon she’d seen one too many times.#p#分页标题#e#

“You picked the perfect timing. James is going to meet up with us later, and he’s bringing his best friend Sidney.” Sutton arched an eyebrow when Leigh looked at her expectantly.

“Remember, he’s the human behavior professor I always mention.”

“Oh! Him, it’ll be nice to meet. You know I find everything to do with that subject fascinating.”

“I know. I’ve e been trying to get you two together for ages, but you always pull the hermit act.” Leigh nudged her with a playful elbow to the rib.

“I was read the riot act by Mrs. Tracey earlier.”

“Then I guess I’ll keep my mouth shut for once.” Leigh looped her arm through Sutton’s as they made their way out of Bethesda South and across the street to the all night diner the staff often frequented.

****

Sutton wasn’t sure what she expected Sidney to look like. However, the dapper salt- and pepper-haired gentleman in fitted black dress slacks and a crisp white button down was not it. He was tall and sinewy, but what really caught her attention was the almost regal air he carried himself with. He glanced down, catching her appraisal, and she flashed him a small smile as she fought to contain the heat she felt creep up in her cheeks. It’d been ages since she’d reacted to anyone this way. Sidney possessed a swagger that pulled her towards him like a magnet. She lowered her lids and glanced over to Leigh, rolling her eyes at her friend’s smirk.

“Hush,” Sutton mouthed. She was unable to hide her smile as Leigh stood and embraced her husband, and Sutton followed suit.

“Hi, baby. Sutton and I are the only ones left. The other girls wanted to go dancing.”

“Hi, James, good to see you again,” Sutton said. She stood and leaned in to exchange a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She liked James. He might be twenty years older than Leigh, but they fit together well.

“I’m sure they’d be bored to death with a couple of old fogies like us,” Sidney said. His deep baritone sent a shiver down her spine.

“You’re not old, Sidney,” Leigh said. She moved away from her husband to place a kiss on his cheek.