A Warm Evening in West Monroe
Dr. Lucian and Dr. Jane sat at a popular grill on Ferrand Drive in West Monroe, Louisiana, savoring the warm evening air and the rich aroma of sizzling meat. After a long day at the mental health clinic, the two colleagues were eager to unwind.
"This place is amazing," Dr. Jane said, taking a bite of her shrimp po' boy. "I love the atmosphere here."
"Definitely," Dr. Lucian agreed, enjoying a spoonful of gumbo. "The food, the company... it's great to take a break."
Their conversation shifted to work, exchanging stories from their sessions. When Dr. Lucian mentioned his patient, Alex, Dr. Jane offered thoughtful words of encouragement. But soon, a more personal topic emerged.
"You know, Jane, I've been thinking about Slim a lot lately," Dr. Lucian said, his tone turning somber.
Dr. Jane's expression softened. "How are you coping after losing him?"
He sighed. "It's been tough. Slim was more than just a pet-he was a companion. I miss our daily routines together."
Dr. Jane gently touched his arm. "I'm so sorry, Lucian. Losing a pet is never easy. But I'm sure Slim knew how much you loved him."
A faint smile tugged at Dr. Lucian's lips. "Thanks, Jane. Just talking about it helps."
After a pause, Dr. Jane shifted the conversation. "Lucian, I have some news... I'm being transferred to New York soon."
His eyebrows rose in surprise. "New York? That's a big change. You're going to miss West Monroe, aren't you?"
"I'm going to miss it so much," she said with a nostalgic gleam in her eyes. "And you, of course."
Dr. Lucian chuckled. "You're going to miss me?"
Dr. Jane playfully rolled her eyes. "Of course I'll miss you! You're one of my favorite people here."
"I'm glad to have been a part of your life, Jane," he said sincerely. "You're going to make New York your own, I'm sure."
Leaning in, her voice dropped to a conspiratorial tone. "You know, Lucian, I'm going to miss the Kix on Texas, where we'd grab coffee and talk about our patients. And I'll miss strolling the grounds of the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum."
Lucian smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You're going to miss me, and you're going to miss West Monroe. I get it."
Grinning mischievously, Jane added, "You're going to miss me too, Lucian."
He shook his head with a laugh. "Maybe I will."
As they finished their meal and stood to leave, Dr. Lucian looked over at her. "You know, we should grab dinner at the Bayou Burger Barn or visit the CenturyLink Center before you go. It's always a great time."
Jane's face lit up. "That sounds amazing! Let's do it."
Together, they stepped out into the warm West Monroe evening, the sky fading into twilight as they walked side by side.
****
Dr. Lucian drove Dr. Jane home to her apartment on Sugar Mill Drive, a quiet street lined with well-kept buildings and lush greenery. The city lights of West Monroe cast a warm glow on their faces as they chatted about the evening, laughter weaving between their words.
As they pulled up to her complex, Jane turned to him with a smile.
"Thanks for the evening, Lucian. I had a great time."
Lucian's eyes lingered on hers, the moment stretching. He leaned in, lips just inches away from hers-
But Jane's hands rose gently, pressing against his chest.
"Lucian, wait," she said softly.
He paused, confused, until she raised her left hand. A sparkling engagement ring glinted under the dim light.
Lucian's expression faltered. He leaned back.
"Oh... I forgot," he murmured, disappointment in his voice.
Jane chuckled, trying to ease the tension.
"I guess you did."
He forced a smile.
"Stay safe, okay?"
She nodded.
"You too. Goodnight, Lucian."
With a small wave, she stepped out of the car and disappeared into the building.
Lucian watched her go, a pang tightening in his chest. He had tried to bury the feelings he'd developed for her, but tonight had brought them too close to the surface. Her engagement had always been the line he wouldn't cross-but it still hurt.
Lost in thought, Lucian pulled away from the curb. The streets blurred past as he accelerated, his mind a storm of regret and longing.
He turned onto Shadow Oaks Drive, a winding road that snaked through thick woods. The night pressed in, quiet and still-until a van suddenly tore around a corner ahead, its headlights blinding.
Lucian jerked the wheel, swerving. Tires screeched. His car veered off the road, slammed into a massive oak, and crumpled with a deafening crash. Glass exploded. Metal twisted.
Then-stillness.
The front of the car was crushed, the windshield shattered. Lucian's body lay slumped, pinned beneath the wreckage. The forest was eerily quiet, save for the sputtering engine and the creaking of bent steel.
*********
Dr. Jane stormed into the hospital, her breath shallow, heart pounding. Her heels echoed urgently across the polished floor as she reached the nurses' station. Her eyes darted anxiously from face to face.
"Please," she said, barely steady. "Lucian Williams—he was in a car accident. I was told he was brought here."
The nurse's expression shifted into quiet sorrow. "I'm so sorry, Dr. Jane. Mr. Williams… he's in a brink of death."
Time froze. Dr. Jane swayed slightly, as if the words had weight. "No," she whispered. "That can't be."
Before the silence could settle, another nurse burst through the ICU doors. "Wait—there's been a change. We've got spontaneous respiration. He's showing a pulse!"
"Vitals are stabilizing. It's… it's a miracle. We're running tests now, but he's back."
Relief and disbelief collided in Dr. Jane's chest. She surged forward, but a nurse gently stepped in her way.
"I'm sorry," the nurse said. "We need to stabilize him first. You can't see him just yet."
As the team moved swiftly down the corridor, Jane stood rooted, caught between heartbreak and hope. Her fingers trembled, tears glinting in her eyes.
Inside the ICU, Lucian stirred. Monitors beeped softly around him. His eyes fluttered open, hazy and unfocused.
A nurse leaned over with a reassuring smile. "Welcome back, Mr. Williams. You were in a serious car crash. For a moment… we thought we'd lost you."
Lucian blinked, his throat dry and aching. "What… happened?"
"You almost died, technically," she said gently. "But somehow, you came back. You're incredibly lucky."
Lucian's gaze roamed the room—tubes, wires, sterile white walls. The words fatal accident echoed in his mind. He couldn't remember the crash, only the strange sense of being pulled away. And now… he was breathing again. Living again.
He closed his eyes briefly, a single thought pressing against the haze: I'm alive.