Quench Me
      Chapter 14
 

My eyes are heavy from staring at textbooks and class notes all day. There's studying left for me to do, but not tonight. To continue now would be an exercise in futility. Rick is already asleep, and the house is quiet. It's dark outside, and the traffic in front of the house has slowed. I look over at the clock and realize that it's after eleven.

Immediately I grab the telephone and flip open my Pharmacology notebook to find Danny's number. I dial with a quickness that surprises me, and I'm sorely disappointed when he doesn't answer on the first ring.

The second ring, however, brings relief, and I hear his voice on the line. "Hello."

"Hi, it's me."

"Michelle, I was wondering if I'd hear from you tonight."

"I told you I'd call," I say. "I finally quit for the evening."

"You sound tired," he replies.

"Exhausted is more like it," I answer.

"Are you headed to bed?" he asks.

"In a bit," I say. "I skipped dinner, so I guess I should eat before I turn in."

"I wish you were here," he says, and my heart flutters instantaneously.

"I wish you were here," I answer, meaning it with every fiber of my being.


We say goodbye, which is not easy because neither one of wants to hang up, and I walk into the kitchen to find something to eat. Rick and I are terrible about keeping groceries in the house, but luckily, I find a can of chicken noodle soup.

"Well, I'm not sick, but studying for finals is about as close as it gets," I say to myself. "Chicken noodle soup it is."


I'm loading my bowl into the dishwasher when I hear a soft knock on the door. It's just after midnight, so I have no idea who it could possibly be. I'm suddenly thankful that I'm still dressed in my tee shirt and baggy gym shorts, as I quickly make my way to the door.

It's dark outside, but I'd recognize his silhouette anywhere. The evening air is chilly as I open the door for him.

"Danny, what in the world are you doing here at midnight?" I ask as I usher him in.

"You said you wished I was here," he answers, a silly smile adorning his face.

"I didn't mean that I expected you to get in your car and drive over here," I reply.

"I know, but I wanted to," he says. He turns and walks over to the sofa, taking me by the hand and pulling me with him. "Now, sit down here with me."

I comply. What choice do I have? His arms immediately wrap around me, and he pulls my back against his chest. He pushes my hair out of my face and behind my ear and says, "Now… sleep."

As I close my eyes and begin to drift into slumber, I think to myself that falling asleep in his arms is the most incredible feeling in the entire world. Just like earlier today, I can hear his heartbeat and feel the warmth in his arms. And just like earlier today, I know that my heart is no longer my own.