|
"It's okay love, I got you" The words play in my mind as I remember the first time she held me. My human picked me up out of that lonely cage and cradled my little body close to hers. She was so big then, and I was so small.
0 Comments
 Photo by Scott Gummerson on Unsplash Keiko finished giving her shift report to the oncoming nurse and headed to the break room to shower and change before gathering her things to head home. After leaving her hospital scrubs in the hamper, she put on her mask and left the hospital. She walked outside for a bit to enjoy the chilly morning air giving her the energy she needed to hail a cab. Keiko dismissed the first two cabs because the drivers weren’t wearing masks, but the third one was the charm, as they say. The little woman driving had a mask on that depicted a brightly colored emoji, also wearing a mask. It made Keiko smile as she climbed in the back seat and recited the address to the hotel she was staying in.
The driver, who enthusiastically introduced herself as Penny, drove in silence as she merged back into traffic and headed downtown. After a while Penny asked, “How’s your day been going?” Keiko chuckled to herself. Her day had been hell, with an extra serving of ignorance, and she was tired. “Well, no one died,” she said dryly. Penny was silent for a moment, looking at Keiko in the rearview mirror. Probably trying to decide if she picked up a psychopath, Keiko thought. “Those are your standards?” Penny finally asked. “I’m a nurse at Baptist Hospital; I work in the ICU,” Keiko explained. Understanding and sadness filled Penny’s eyes. “Well then, nobody died today, that’s something,” she said, turning her focus back on driving. Penny didn’t speak again until they neared the hotel. “How come you’re going here? Are you one of the emergency staff?” Keiko looked up at the looming building and beat back the homesickness. “No,” she said, “but my parents and daughter are in the high risk group. As long as I’m working in the ICU, I can’t risk going home and making them sick.” “Oh,” Penny was silent again as she pulled up to the front lobby. “Keiko,” she called as Keiko climbed out of the cab. She stopped and looked in the cab and Penny said, “Thank you. For the work you do at the hospital.” Keiko paused and could only nod in response then said, “Thank you for wearing a mask. Have a good day and stay safe.” Then headed into the hotel and up to her room. She spent an hour with her family over Zoom before going to bed.  Personal Journal - 14 June 2028
We’ve sent high-res images of the journal, found inside the chest, to Jared for translation, but he seems to be having some trouble and it’s taking longer than expected. We were hoping to have the carbon dating information back already but we had to send another sample as the last one was contaminated - results inconclusive. I’ve decided to try translating the journal myself. At the very least I might help Jared a little. Below is the first entry in the journal; I am surprised at how well preserved this entry is, considering the journal itself looks as if it was tossed in a fire at some point, then rescued.  Photo by Annette Sousa on Unsplash ~Jessica
I’ve kissed many men, many times, in various settings, and I’ve rated all of them. The worst was the guy whose tongue I nearly gagged on as he tried to lick my tonsils. The best was the guy that could coax little sighs from me as I leaned into him. I think over mine and Adam’s date tonight as I try to guess where he will rate on my little scale. Our long, diverse dinner conversations hinted at his responsiveness and highlighted his wit. He wears confidence like a lion wears it’s mane. It’s there, visible, hard to miss, never flaunted, and attractive all the same. Something about him makes a woman’s imagination run wild with a surety that even those dreams will fall short of reality. |
