Drifting Apart
Part 3
By Kellie
Danny was startled awake by the ringing phone. He reached over to the nightstand and grabbed the receiver. "Hello," he answered with a groan.
"Morning sexy," Michelle replied. "Guess it's my turn to disturb your sleep."
"You could never disturb me, baby. I hope your calling to tell me you're on the way home."
"Well, not exactly."
"What does not exactly mean?" Danny inquired.
"I was on the way home. I got out of the parking garage and made it as far as Company. I realized I was about to fall asleep driving and I wondered if you would come get me?"
"Of course, I be there in fifteen minutes."
"Thanks sweetie, I love you."
"I love you too," Danny replied before hanging up.
Michelle walked over to the bar at Company. "Morning Buzz. Can I get a cup of coffee?"
"I've got a new pot brewing right now. It'll be about five minutes, if that's okay?"
"That will be great."
"Michelle, I probably shouldn't butt in."
"That's never stopped you before, Buzz."
"That's why I think you should know Danny was in here last night."
"I know. He left me a take out box in the on call lounge. That chicken salad was terrific as usual."
"Thanks. Anyway, I'm talking about after he left the hospital. He was pretty down in the dumps."
"I know. Rick told me that Danny was feeling neglected."
"Michelle, he's feeling more than neglected. Danny feels like he's playing second fiddle to your work."
"Danny knows he's my first priority."
"Well, your schedule lately apparently didn't make it seem like that."
"I have been working way too many hours. Rick and I talked about that, too. I'm going to talk with my supervisor before my next shift to see about adjusting my work load."
"Good. That coffee should be ready, I'll be right back."
Michelle rested her elbows on the counter and held her head with her hands. She nodded off before Buzz could get back with her coffee. A few minutes later the door opened and Buzz nodded at Danny as he walked in the door. He walked up beside Michelle and looked over at Buzz. "How long has she been asleep?"
"About five minutes. I see what you mean about how beat she is after a shift."
"Yeah. How much do I owe you for her coffee?"
"It's on the house."
"Thanks, Buzz." Danny stroked the side of Michelle's face as he awakened her.
"Danny," she sleepily said. "Did I fall asleep?"
"Yeah, you did. Let's get you home." Danny grabbed Michelle's coat and purse off the neighboring stool and helped her into her coat. "Buzz, I'll get someone to bring me by later to pick up Michelle's car."
Danny helped his wife out to the car and took her home. She was sound asleep in the front seat when they got there. Danny went and opened the front door. Then he came back and carried his exhausted wife up to bed.
Late that afternoon, Michelle awoke. She got up and went downstairs. "Danny, where are you?" When she entered the kitchen, Michelle saw the note on the counter.
Hi sleepyhead!
Bill came by to take me to pick up your car. I'll be back soon.
Love,
Danny
Michelle stood at the counter for a few minutes and thought about her conversations with Buzz and Rick. It occurred to her that little notes like this one and brief phone calls had been the only form of communication between her and Danny for weeks. Her most recent days off had coincided with a business trip Danny had gone on. She couldn't remember the last time they had eaten a meal together. "We really have been drifting apart lately," she said to herself. "I'll just have to do something about that." Then she headed up the stairs to grab a shower.
Part 4