Not My Best Moment

A scene I have in mind for a later chapter of "Wild Thyme", but I felt like drawing it out now. Because of Juno's congenital health issues, she has been in and out of clinics and treatment and therapy for much of her life, and that system just won't leave her alone for long, even in her adult years. Most of that treatment has been at a specialized clinic outside of Chicago, and when the powers-that-be decide it's time for another stay, they transfer Juno to a light-duty posting at the USCG air station in Waukegan, about half an hour's flight from the clinic. In the winter, this can get pretty dreary, as they stick her with desk work to keep her out of the weather, and keep her well blanketed. The rest and treatment regimen also puts a definite crimp in Juno's social life - no clubbing or serious dating, as it's hard to get anything going when one's callers are restricted to a clinic's official visiting hours. So, she spends most of her resting time texting distant friends and listening to music. Then, one frigid week in February, a big firefighting expo takes place in the Windy City, drawing in attendees from all over. One of them is a man Juno recognizes. He happens to overfly the clinic grounds on his way in, and chances to see her outside. So a day or two later, after doing some confirmation, he decides to look her up. Juno isn't sure if she wants him to see her like this, but she's definitely not going to turn him away.