Saving Avery Read Online Free PDF Page A

day I watched her from a safe distance as she interacted with the children, and it seemed like she had a kind soul to match her sweet smile. Since then, I've only caught glimpses of her in the halls, but never had the chance to say hi and introduce myself.
    I've only been at the hospital for a week, but with orientation, meeting the other doctors and staff and getting acquainted with the layout of the hospital, I had barely gotten into the swing of things until today. I'd been kind of admiring her from afar, always hoping for an opportunity to run into her. And when I finally got my chance to talk to her today, I blew it.
    I replay our encounter in my mind over and over. I wanted her to say something, anything really. I had an idea of what her voice would sound like in my mind, and I had been dying for a chance to finally interact with her. And then with complete and utter surprise, I watched the pretty brunette grin and wave awkwardly before practically running out of the room without saying a single word.
    Perplexed, I stand frozen in place. Did I say something to offend her? I can't remember saying anything beyond normal conversation. But the look in her eyes when I had asked if she had any kids told me that there was a story behind them. I sigh and shake my head. Maybe I was just being too forward.
    Finally getting the chance to meet her face to face did something to me. From a distance she had seemed almost like a mirage. Up close and personal she is everything I had hoped she would be and so much more. Sure, on the outside, she's obviously beautiful with long reddish-brown hair framing her pretty face and bangs ending just above a set of stunning blue-gray eyes. But in those eyes I saw something that made my heart pump a little faster. It was as if with one glance into them I could see an open book to her soul. One glance and we connected on some kind of level that I can't explain even though I just experienced it. A myriad of emotions appeared in that one look, and I instantly recognized one --- a deep and immutable sadness. Even with the smile on her face, I saw right through her. It's as if she's wearing an impenetrable mask for everyone else's benefit; but, for some reason, I can see through it.
    Her guard was down in Jacob's room, and I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of her in her element, relaxed and natural. I watched her while she tucked him in, her delicate hands pulling up his covers and fluffing his pillow to make him comfortable. And then she looked down at him with the most serene and empathetic look. With the sun cascading through the window at her back, she looked like an angel standing in a heavenly beam of light. It gave me chills.
    Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I venture out into the hallway. The girl's back is to me, and she's standing with a nurse named Rosie. I feel the strong urge to call out to her, but I don't even know her name. I was hoping that her ID badge would reveal what I was looking for, but it just designated that she's a volunteer with a photo. Anyone willing to volunteer their time in a hospital must have a heart of gold, and I didn't doubt for one second that hers was made of twenty-four karats.
    I catch Rosie's stare, and her lips move as she says something. And then the girl suddenly turns and looks right at me. I feel the nervousness all over again, and I feel embarrassed that they clearly caught me staring. I want to go talk to her again, but something is holding me back. I'm suddenly feeling very nervous and awkward, and those are not typical feelings that I get around anyone, especially women. I'm not bragging, but let's just say I've never had a problem getting a girlfriend. Usually I am the one getting asked out. But when I'm around this girl, I feel like a bundle of nerves, tongue-tied and lucky to even remember my own name.
    Before I can make another move or decide what I want to do, the girl looks at the clock on the wall, grabs her purse and flies out the