Midnight Kisses by Wayne Jordan Page A

conversation.
    â€œThat’s part of it. But I didn’t want to get into any trouble this time. I’d be just like them if I did.”
    Daniel felt a surge of pride. He was making progress. In the past Jerome would have struck out in anger. A fight would have been inevitable.
    â€œSo you’re learning to control that temper of yours.”
    Jerome looked at Daniel, a boyish grin on his face. “Yeah, I hear what you say. I don’t want to be no thug. I got dreams, too. I don’t have to stay down. That’s what you told me.”
    â€œAnd how about your school work?”
    â€œI’m still beating the books. Grades should be good this semester. I like getting A’s.”
    Daniel nodded. “Good. Listen, I have some stuff I have to deal with here right now. I’ll talk with you the next time you come.”
    â€œCool, boss.” Jerome got up and stopped before he left. “And…I just wanted to say thanks.”
    â€œFor what?”
    â€œFor caring.” Jerome replied, then walked out.
    Â 
    Renée jumped out of bed.
    10:04 a.m.
    Damn, she was late for work. And on a Monday. Work started at ten o’clock this morning. She checked the alarm and realized she had not set it. It was a nightly habit that she never forgot. Until last night. Last night, she’d fallen asleep.
    She believed she and Daniel had made a step in the right direction. She wasn’t sure where they would be going from here, but she planned on taking steps. He was a good man. An honorable man. She didn’t know the person he’d been, but the Daniel she saw now was a man any woman would be proud to have. But this was no time for reflecting.
    She had so many things on her schedule. A meeting, a call to make about Jamie, a short meeting with Cheryl and the list went on. Now she could see that her day was going to be a long one, so instead of rushing to work she’d call in, let them know she’d be in late, and would work late, as she often did anyway.
    An hour later she walked into the hospital, took the staff elevator, and walked down the corridor to her office.
    Her assistant was there, back from vacation, and with a cheerful good morning she handed Renée a stack of letters as thick as a ream of paper.
    â€œSorry, I know that this is not your idea of how to start the morning.”
    â€œThanks, Gillian, and welcome back. I hope you enjoyed your trip to the Caribbean?”
    â€œYes, Jamaica was great. Had me a hot little island romance.”
    They both laughed and Renée said, “Hold my calls for the next hour or so. I’ll let you know when I’m ready.”
    â€œWill do,” Gillian replied. The phone rang. Using this as her opportunity to get away, Renée headed for her office.
    She liked Gillian. She was hardworking and knew how to do her job. They worked well together.
    Entering her office, she headed straight for her desk and sat down, slipping her heels off and slipping into the comfortable pumps she kept under her desk.
    Her cell phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID. Cheryl. She answered.
    â€œHi, Cheryl, what’s up?”
    â€œRenée, I know you just got in but I need you to come and see Jamie. She’s being discharged today. She’s not talking to anyone. She says she won’t talk to anyone but you or Daniel.”
    â€œI’ll be there. I have to make some plans for her before her checkout time. I’ll just make a few calls. I’ll be down in about twenty minutes.”
    â€œOkay, I’ll meet you in her room. She’s giving the nurses a hard time.”
    â€œJust let her know I’m coming.”
    â€œI’ll see you then,” Cheryl said before breaking the connection.
    Renée made the call to Gloria to let her know that Jamie would be arriving that day. Gloria had been excited at the prospect of having a new charge to care for. Renée could not understand how the old lady hadso much