Beyond Words
Chapter 2: Crossroads at the Cafe
The morning was quiet. Lyra stepped into the pavement and started her jog. The estate felt peaceful. Large oak trees stood tall along the road. The grass was short and green. The air felt crisp against her skin. It smelled like damp earth and morning dew.
She wore her favorite grey joggers and a faded pink tee. Her white sneakers hit the ground with a steady beat. Her hair was pulled into a messy bun that bounced as she moved. She felt good. She felt free. Her mind drifted back to last night. She thought about the music and the lights. Most of all, she thought about Ethan. Just thinking his name made her heart skip. It felt so good and she didn't want it to stop.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated in her armband. She slowed down to a walk. Her breath came in short gasps. It was Eric.
"Hey bro," she said.
"Lyra! Thank God you picked up," Eric said. His voice sounded high and stressed.
"I am at Kairos. I messed up. I left the patient files and the art supplies on my bed. I need them for the project today. The kids are already waiting!"
Lyra wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead. She sighed. "Eric, I am in the middle of a jog. And I need to get groceries. The house is empty. There is no food at all."
"Please Lyra! I will do anything. I will clean the kitchen for a month. Just bring them. It is very urgent!"
Lyra smiled. Eric was a great doctor, but he was a mess at home. "Fine. I will go back home, grab the stuff, and head to the hospital. But you are doing the dishes tonight."
"Deal! You are the best!" Eric said and hung up.
Lyra turned around. Her peaceful morning was over. She ran back to the house. She went straight to Eric’s room. It looked like a storm had passed through it. Clothes were on the floor. The bed was a mess. Right in the middle of the blankets were the blue folders and a box of watercolors.
"Typical Eric," she muttered. She quickly folded his shirts and stacked his books. She grabbed the supplies and ran to her room. She kicked off her joggers. She pulled on a pair of jeans and a dark hoodie. She grabbed her bike helmet. She heard the loud click of the buckle under her chin.
The ride to Kairos Children’s Hospital was fast. The wind whipped her face. Her legs burned as she pedaled. She waved to her neighbor, Miss Fidson. The old woman was watering her roses. Lyra felt focused.
When she reached the hospital, she smelled the disinfectant. It was a sharp and clean scent. It was mixed with the smell of fresh soup from the cafeteria. Nurses waved at her as she walked down the hall.
"Morning Lyra!"
Everyone knew her here. She volunteered often. She played music for the children. She walked into Eric’s office. He was sitting at his desk. His hair was messy. He was writing notes very fast.
"Here," she said. She dropped the files and the paints on his desk.
Eric looked up. He looked very relieved.
"You are a lifesaver Lyra. The kids would be sad without these."
Lyra sat down to catch her breath. "So what is the plan today? Why are you so busy?"
"I have many surgeries today," Eric sighed. "And we have Little Danny. He has been here a week. A bad tooth infection turned into something worse."
Lyra felt sad. "Poor Danny. I will go see him before I leave."
Eric looked at her with a teasing smile. "So tell me about last night. I am sorry I missed the show. Was it good?"
Lyra felt her face get warm. "It was magical Eric. I met a guy named Ethan. We didn't talk much, but It felt like I knew him forever."
"Really? someone is in love!" Eric teased. He pointed a pen at her.
"Stop it," Lyra laughed. "I might never see him again. It felt too good to be true. Like a movie."
"Do not be so sure," Eric said. His pager started beeping. "Fate has a way of showing up. Now go see Danny. I have to go to work."
Lyra walked into the playroom. It was loud and full of color. There were drawings of suns and trees on the walls.
"Aunty Lyra!" the kids shouted.
They ran to her. Some gave her hugs. Others waved from their beds. She spent time giving high fives. She listened to their stories.
Then she went to the quiet ward. Danny was lying in a large bed. He looked very small. His eyes were almost closed.
"Hi Dan," Lyra whispered. She took his small hand.
Danny looked at her. A tear rolled down his cheek. "Aunty Lyra, it hurts. It hurts too much to talk."
Lyra’s heart broke. "I know sweetie. But Uncle Eric will give you medicine. It will make the pain go away. You are very brave."
A man stood up from a chair. It was Mister Lawrence. He was Danny’s father. He looked very tired. He had lost his wife a year ago. Now his son was sick.
"Hey Lyra. Thanks for coming," he said softly.
"He will be fine Mister Lawrence," Lyra said. She tried to sound strong. "He is a fighter."
The father nodded. His eyes were full of thanks. "I hope so. Thank you for being here."
Lyra found Eric in the hallway. "He is in a lot of pain Eric. Please check on him."
Eric became very serious. "I am on it. I will adjust his medicine right now."
"Thanks. I am going to the store now. See you later!"
The grocery store was very busy. Lyra pushed a squeaky metal cart. She looked for milk and eggs. She was looking at the bread when a loud voice called her name.
" Lyra Martin!"
She turned around. A tall man was standing there. He was grinning. He looked very familiar.
" Alex Bodman?"
"Yes! It is me!" he laughed. He stepped forward and gave her a hug. He smelled like nice cologne. "I just got back into town. How have you been? It has been many years!"
Lyra smiled. She felt shy. Alex was her partner in the high school debate club. They were very famous and close back then. "I am good Alex. Just living my life. Why are you back?"
"I am helping my mom with the cocoa farm," he said. He walked beside her cart. "It is a lot of work. But it is going well. You look exactly the same Lyra. You are still beautiful."
Lyra laughed. She looked at her old hoodie. "I think you need glasses Alex. I am a mess today."
"No way. You always had a special spark," he said.
They walked through the aisles. They talked about the old days. They talked about winning the debate championship. They talked about pranking their teachers. Lyra forgot about her stress for a moment.
They went outside to the parking lot. Lyra put her groceries on her bike.
"Hey," Alex said. He leaned against his car. "Let us get coffee. Right now. I want to hear everything about your life."
Lyra thought about Ethan. But Ethan was not there. Alex was standing right in front of her. "Sure. Let me drop these groceries at home first."
"I will follow you in my car," Alex said.
They went to a small cafe. The air smelled like coffee and cinnamon. The sound of clinking spoons filled the room. They sat by the window.
"So is Eric married?" Alex asked. He took a sip of his coffee.
"Eric? No," Lyra laughed. "He is married to the hospital. He loves those kids too much to date."
"And you?" Alex asked. His eyes were very intense. "You were the best singer in school. Why are you just a volunteer? You should be on a big stage."
Lyra looked at her cup. "Life is complicated Alex. Things happen."
"I do not believe that," Alex said. He reached across the table. He touched her hand for a second. "I always believed in you. I could help you out , you know. My voice is much better. We could be a team. I can help you play the drums, if you let me"
Lyra felt a mix of excitement and fear. "I will think about it Alex. I really will."
"Good," Alex said. He handed her his phone. "Put your number in. I will not let you disappear again."
Lyra typed her number. She felt a little bit guilty. She wondered what Ethan would think. But she shook the feeling away. She waved goodbye and got on her bike.
She pedaled away into the sun. She did not see the look on Alex’s face. He was not just happy to see a friend. He was even more ready to start a journey with her and see where it takes them.