I’d think what you want to be remembered for might be different than some of the other answers. And I think that’s okay, because most of us have separate parts of our lives—what we do for others and what we do for ourselves—and there are only a lucky few who can combine the two. You’ll be remembered for your role as a nurse, healing the sick and caring for the injured. You’ll be remembered as someone who laughed and loved her friends and lived life out loud.
But if you didn’t have to work, would you still want to heal people? What would you get lost in? What did you love doing as a kid?
I realize how ridiculous this seems, since I’m not actually asking you this stuff. But I just spent an hour writing this and searching the Internet for ideas. So while we’re not actually conversing through these emails, （1） I’m killing time, （2） I’m learning a little about myself （unfortunate side effect）， and （3） I might find a way to be sneaky and bring some of this up in conversation.
You’re an interesting one, Claire. I’ve known you for a long time, but something tells me there’s more to you than meets the eye.
Graham
An hour before Claire’s shift ended, Graham texted her.
Graham: Want me to order in for dinner?
Claire: Nope. I already made plans.
Disappointment shot through him, which was startling, to say the least. He wasn’t supposed to be this attached to his roommate or care what plans she had for dinner.
Or with whom.
He was probably just in a weird state of dependency because of the injury and it would pass when things were back to normal. When Reagan was home, he was back at work, and he could get out and expend some of this overwhelming energy that built on itself each passing day.
Graham: Cool. I’ll find something for myself around here.
Have fun.
Claire: What? I meant plans for us. I’m bringing something home I want you to try.
Don’t smile. Don’t smile. Don’t smile.
He failed miserably, grinning at the screen.
Graham: That’s cool, too. What is it?
Claire: It’s a surprise.
Graham: Are you making me try something new again?
Claire: You liked the couscous, don’t even try to pretend you didn’t.
Graham: Fluke. You better be bringing pizza or tacos
Claire: Nope
Graham: Does it at least go with beer?
Claire: -ish
Graham: I’ll make backup plans just in case
Claire: Wuss
Graham laughed and tossed his phone on the bed, startling Gertrude awake. He scratched her ears. “Sorry, sweets.”
He turned on the TV and watched the news until he heard Claire come in. Gertrude barked and leaped off the bed and was out the door before he could even grab his crutches. He made it into the kitchen several seconds behind his dog, and pretended not to notice the sweet voice Claire spoke to her in.
“Nothing in here for you.”
Okay, it wasn’t exactly sweet. But she didn’t call Gertie a “devil dog” or a “little jerk.” Something good was happening there.
“Can’t say I’d be heartbroken if you said the same thing to me,” he announced.
“What are you, five? How about you try it before deciding you don’t like it?”
He sighed and pulled out a chair. “You’re right.” He sat and propped his crutches against the table. “What do we have here?”
“It’s a bunch of appetizers and desserts from this place I love in Capitol Hill. They use mostly locally sourced food and make everything fresh in-house, even the bread. It’s to die for.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad.”
“Told you.” She pulled several boxes out of the bag and placed them on the table, pointing at each. “Charcuterie spread. Hummus. Stuffed mushrooms. Apple tart. Chocolate cheesecake.”
“I call the cheesecake.”
“What? You can’t just call the cheesecake. We share.”
Graham lifted his chin a notch. “How big is it?”
“I paid for this stuff and brought it home. You’d seriously take the best dessert and not let me have even a bite?”
“Okay. You can have one bite.”
“Have I told you lately what an asshole you are?”
He couldn’t remember, and busied himself opening each container to peek inside. “It’s probably been a few days.”
She turned on her heel and opened the cabinet, grabbing two plates. “Too long, then.”
They loaded their plates with various appetizers and let the desserts be for now, though Graham made sure the cheesecake was closer to his plate than hers.