Page 20 of Tethered Hearts

Brie

Wednesday afternoon, Brie couldn’t keep the spring from her step as the last of her clients departed and she began tidying up her area. Wiping over the treatment table, she hummed along to the eighties song playing on the radio in the clinic.

“What’s got you so happy today?” Vicky asked as she paused by the cubicle holding a pile of brochures advertising a company for mobility aids.

“It’s been a good day.” Brie paused and glanced at her colleague. “Do I need a reason to be happy?”

Vicky tipped her head to the side and regarded Brie over the top of her glasses. “I’ve worked with you for years, Brie. You’re always happy. But this is next level. You’re behaving like a child on Christmas morning. I can feel your excitement from the front desk.”

Brie tossed the cleaning wipe into the bin and sighed. There was nothing she could get past her friend and colleague. “I’ve been invited to Matt Dallimore’s house for coffee. Well, his aunt invited me. So I’m having coffee with her. We go to the same church.”

“Really?” Vicky gave a knowing nod.

“Yes, really.” Brie ignored her friend’s insinuation, and turned her attention to the fact that she was looking forward to getting to know Helen a little better. And perhaps Matt, too, if he happened to be there at the same time. She would be fooling herself if she denied that she secretly hoped he’d be there. But she was going for Helen, not her nephew. Brie wondered if it would be the start of a regular connection. She valued the older women at church and the wisdom they could impart on the younger generations.

“Well, you enjoy getting to know Matt’s aunt,” Vicky said with a twinkle in her eye.

“I will. Thanks, Vicky.”

It’sonly coffee with Helen. And there’s a good chance Matt will be inside, too.It felt like déjà vu as Brie sat in front of Helen’s house, drumming up the courage to leave the car. She’d already been through this the other day when she’d arrived to take Matt to the dog park. Deep down, there was nothing to be concerned about. Nothing to misinterpret or misunderstand. It was just coffee. With a friend from church. But the flutter of nerves in her chest wasn’t helping. The whole situation was weird. Who would’ve thought she’d be having coffee with her sporting idol’s aunt?

Brie rang the doorbell and waited. If only she had Rocky to distract her. He’d make a good talking point during the awkward moments. She stood holding the box of red velvet cupcakes she’d collected from the bakery on the way to Helen’s beachside abode and wondered if she could make up an excuse to leave. Rocky needed feeding, or taking for a walk. She needed to do some baking. She had to make an important phone call. Her brother … Winston barked from somewhere in the house, and any excuse she’d thought of disappeared as the door swung open.

“Brie! It’s so good to see you. Come in.” Helen held the door ajar and ushered her inside, destroying any moment to make a quick escape.

Bright and airy, with white walls and grey trim matching the modern colours of the exterior, Brie felt at ease as she eyed the welcoming home. A large timber mirror hung on the wall above a sideboard with a few decorative items situated on top. Some candles burning on a nearby shelf filled the air with the scent of cedar and jasmine.

As Helen led the way past the living room and into the kitchen, Brie noticed her attire - pressed grey slacks and an emerald green blouse, and wondered if she should’ve made the effort to change into something classier than her capris and t-shirt, given that Helen looked like she was about to host a high tea rather than offer a neighbourly cup of coffee.

“Have I come at a bad time?” Brie glanced around as Helen scooped a silver watch off the counter and fastened it around her wrist.

“Not at all. I should’ve called you, but I thought you’d already be on your way here. I have to go up to the hospital.”

“Is everything alright?” Her pulse kicked up a notch. Was Matt okay? Had something happened to him? Had his pain become worse? Or had something more sinister happened?

“Ronald Crossan is having emergency surgery, and as part of the pastoral care team, I’ve been asked to go and support his wife while she waits for him. Normally, I would go later, but she’s extremely anxious, and it’s a touch-and-go situation.”

“Oh, by all means, go,” Brie said, recalling the couple mentioned at church earlier in the year. Relief flooded through her that Matt wasn’t in the hospital, while at the same time, she offered a silent prayer for God to draw near to Ronald and his wife. “I can come by another time.”

“I wouldn’t normally cancel at such late notice, but …”

“It’s fine. Really.” Brie waved her comment away. It really was no big deal. An invitation for coffee wasn’t even necessary, but she appreciated the other woman’s generosity. Besides, they would probably see each other at church again and could sit down over a cup of tea in the courtyard.

“Matt’s here, so why don’t you stay and have a drink with him? Given that you made the effort to come over and I’ve cancelled on you, it would be a shame for you to leave straight away.”

“Oh, I …”

“Hey, Brie.”Speak of the man.She slowly turned at the sound of his voice and the dull thud of his crutches on the timber floors. Her eyes raked over his form as he paused in the doorway. His hair was tousled, as though he’d just woken from a nap, and his muscles pulled at his crumpled t-shirt. But it was his legs that she noticed most. He was wearing shorts.

“Matt, I invited Brie over for coffee, but I’ve got to go up to the hospital. I feel terrible that I have to run away, but why don’t you put the kettle on? You two can catch up.” Helen said it like they were old friends. Like they’d somehow lost contact with each other over the years and were suddenly forced to reunite due to Brie’s visit.

“Oh, I don’t want to intrude on your afternoon. I’ll just …” Brie gestured toward the front door. As much as she knew Helen had been asked to attend the hospital, she couldn’t help but think it seemed awfully convenient to leave at the last minute.

“Nonsense. A guest is not an intrusion,” Helen said. “My apologies again, Brie. Let’s make a raincheck.” She squeezed her arm before bustling out the door leaving Brie standing in a wake of lavender-scented perfume.

Well, that wasn’t awkward at all. What was she supposed to do now? She glanced down at the box of cupcakes before placing them on the counter.

“Here, I’ll leave …” She turned to face Matt.

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