If she knew a hug would happen anyway, she would have hugged him first.
Lucy can see him running to the end of the street. He turned back and waved before turning a corner and completely disappearing from her sight.
She is happy for Noah. Truthfully happy. At least one of them gets to follow their dream, she thought. She looked up at an empty sky and let out a deep sigh. She went back to the house and saw Nana waiting by the entryway. "Sorry for waking you up Nana. Don't worry, Noah won't be bothering us for a while."
"You should have given that boy a chance… I like him." She said nonchalantly while walking further inside.
"I know, but what can I do?" She shrugs her shoulders. "I like you more." She hugged Nana playfully and gave her a quick peck on the cheeks.
"Keep that up and you'll end up alone." Nana hugged her back.
"I have you."
"Well, I won't be here for long." Lucy felt her chest tighten. She tries hard to ignore these types of comments from Nana but it keeps getting brought up, even at the most random times.
"Don't worry, you're immortal, Nana." She said smiling, trying to hide the misery on the mere thought of separation.
She can hear the aged woman scoff and let out a slight chuckle.
Lucy knows Nana is right. She won't be here for long, but all the more she wants her grandmother to enjoy her remaining days in comfort, at least.
She's in her bedroom again, lying down, looking expressionless at the ceiling. She should sleep. It's Wednesday tomorrow and she purposely doesn't register for classes on that day so she can do a full-time shift at the clinic.
---
9 AM.
"Dammit." She slept early but the alarm clock didn't go off. She tumbled over her blanket trying her best to get out of bed quickly. It's already been an hour since her shift started.
Nana already went out, as expected. Lucy showered (if you call that a shower), changed her clothes, picked up a rice ball, and hurried for the bus.
After half an hour she's standing in front of the elevator, panting and waiting. The clinic is just on the third floor and she would have used the stairs on other days but her legs are already giving up with all the running today.
*Ding.* The elevator door opens up and she makes way when a few bulky guys walks out.
She kept a straight face as they passed by and hopped on the elevator.
"I'm sorry!" She came straight to the office and apologized to the manager.
"Calm down, Lucy." A flustered middle-aged man says as he leans back against his chair while holding both hands up. He smiles kindly. "You are two hours late."
"Yes, I'm sorry. I have no excuse." She's getting ready for a scolding, keeping her eyes on the floor.
"Am I asking for an excuse? Sit down and catch your breath, dear."
She sat down defeated, still refusing to look up.
"How long have you been working here?"
"Three years."
"Right… and how many times have you been late?"
Lucy is still looking at the floor but a slight curl in her lips gives the impression that she's thinking deeply.
"See? You can't even remember! I can't remember, too. So just sit there and let me get you some coffee." The man stood up. "This brat, your father will yell at me if he sees me giving you a hard time."
Uncle Fred is her father's long-time buddy. When he knew she was looking for work right out of high school he offered her a job in his clinic. He gave her menial jobs at first but later let her train under his regular therapists.
This is where Lucy got the idea of taking up physical therapy at the university.
She is not yet licensed so she can't do treatments on her own, but Uncle Fred lets her handle non-medical massages. She even does it for Nana, and she loves it.
"Are you good?" He asks Lucy after a while. "I have something to talk to you about. I'm actually glad you were late today, a fishy client is looking for you."
Lucy just listened because she knew there was something more.
"Remember Jimmy, your regular?"
"Yes, the one with the stiff shoulders?"
"Yeah, he referred another client, a big shot from MMA, I think. They looked desperate. I'm relieved you weren't here. His manager looked okay but the actual guy looks like a ruffian. I wouldn't want you to get involved with him."
"You're too critical Uncle. A lot of athletes I know look like ruffians." She pouted inwardly. That would have been a nice catch."
"Hear me out. First of all, they need a female therapist, which in my opinion is suspicious on its own. And second, they want you to do sessions at their home. Now, I don't know how much of a big shot he is, I'm not sending you there." The man is talking with passion.
Lucy smiled at how protective Uncle Fred sounded right now.
"They probably caught wind that you are this clinic's secret weapon. Our sales doubled since you joined the team. You should graduate soon, get a certificate, and head this clinic."
"What would you do, then?" Lucy tilted her head in query, half teasing.
"I'll just drop by every week and get my money." The man folded his arms, nodding to himself.
They laughed and talked some more before she stepped out of the office.
---
Everything went as usual with Lucy's work and it was time to go to fetch Nana from her usual spot.
Na–. As she was ready to call Nana she noticed three intimidating men surrounding her cart and she immediately remembered the "kids" who made a scene a while back. She rushed over ready to sucker punch someone until a shadow overtook her and grabbed one man by the collar from behind.
"What's your business with grandma?" A masked man calmly asked.