Understanding
Part Eight - Penny
By Cimerene
cimerene@gci.net

Kerry grumbled at John from the bed. “It’s really not fair you know.” Her voice almost a whine. “I can still use my left hand.”

John just smiled. It was Kerry’s fourth day stuck at home, and his second back to work. He knew she was going to react this way. 

“Does that mean your ribs feel 100% better now?” he said teasingly.

Kerry just glared from the bed. “I don’t think that’s funny.”  

John just continued getting dressed. “You have it easy you know,” she continued. “I’m stuck here with daytime television, and we all know how much I like to watch TV. I mean the most excitement I had yesterday was waiting for that damned postman to show up with mail. You at least get to talk to other people.” She almost spit out the words.

“Well, if you didn’t yell at the postman, he probably would have stayed and talked with you longer,” he said by now openly laughing.

“It is not my fault he delivered the wrong mail to our house, and it is not my fault I’m stuck at home, while YOU get to go to work.” Kerry growled. Her irritation at being stuck home, becoming more and more apparent with each word.

“You want me to shoot him when I get home? Thought I gotta admit, it would be hard to get the mail afterwards.” John said still chuckling.

Kerry just glared at him, “I want to go back to work. I hate staying at home.”  

“Don’t worry in just a few more days you’ll be back at work and then you can chew me out there instead of at home.” John by now getting just a little bit irritated.

Kerry glared at him again, “Easy for YOU to say, your not the one stuck at home, and will you stop laughing at me.” 

Which of course only made John just laugh more, it just made him try harder not to show it. He walked over to the bed and knelt down beside her. “I love you, you know.”

Kerry tried not to smile. “Is that supposed to make me less irritated.”

John smiled, “Well, I was hoping it would.” 

He grinned at her and then kissed her on the forehead before pretending to look serious for a second. He very seriously placed the palm of his masculine hand over her forehead as if to check for a fever. “Well Dr. Weaver, it seems like you have a serious case of cabin fever. The only cure known is dinner and dancing.” 

“Hmmm” Kerry pretended to think on the idea, she grinned up at him. “Ok, but only if that’s an official diagnoses.” She said, a smile lighting up her face.

********** later that day at County *********

Deb was talking to Dave in the lounge. They were both on the day shift. Dave seemed preoccupied with his thoughts. Deb thought it was odd. Usually Dave would have hit on her several times by now but?  Today he was quiet unusually quiet, almost like he was thinking of a …

“So,” Deb said looking at him. “Who is she?” in her direct way.

Dave actually blushed. “Who is who?” and then he proceeded to pretend he didn’t understand her question. 

“C’mon Dave, obviously there’s a woman involved. I mean you haven’t hit on me in ages. Or come to think about it, you haven’t hit on Abby or even hit the new nurse up in obstetrics. Obviously there’s a woman involved.” Deb smirked.

Dave thought about his options, he could tell Deb. She might be able to understand what he was going through, or she could just laugh him off like she usually did. But then again, she might have some insights to what he was thinking. Dave couldn’t remember the last time he had been so confused. Still muddled he barely took in what she was saying.

“Earth to Dave. Hello? Anyone home?” Deb laughed, and mussed his hair. “Yup, must be woman troubles.” Dave looked annoyed then grabbed the chart he had laid down on the table, and proceeded to stalk away. 

Deb looked guilty for a moment. “Dave wait, C’mon I was just joking.” She looked chagrined. “You don’t have to talk about her, I mean whatever is bothering you if you don’t want to.”

Dave stopped; he turned around and looked Deb in the eyes. “Well, only if you promise not to laugh, or make jokes.”

Deb couldn’t resist. “Just a small joke.” She said teasingly. Dave glared at her. “Ok, OK, no jokes.” Deb replied. She reached over and grabbed a cup of coffee, set it down in front of her and sat in a nearby chair. “Ok, what’s going on.”

Dave looked sheepish for a few moments. “I’m dating this girl.” He was thoughtful for a few seconds.

“OK, and the problem would be?” Deb said impatiently waiting for him to sort out his thoughts and get to the point.

“Well, I’m not sure, but I think she’s still in love with her ex-boyfriend, I mean she doesn’t talk about him much, but she gets this look in her eyes sometimes, and well you know.” Dave clearly looked uncomfortable with the whole conversation.

Deb was quiet for a few moments. “How long have you been dating her?”

Dave said quietly, then proceeded to get his own cup of coffee. “Just a few months, but….” He was quiet for a few moments.  A look of total preoccupation appeared on his face. “She’s just really different.”

Deb was quiet. Sometimes it’s almost easier to fix patients than to try helping fix a friend’s love life. “Aw Dave, I’m sorry. No one ever wants to be in that kind of position. I’m not sure if I can help you with this. But, if I can think of something that will help I’ll let you know.” Her beeper went off at during her speech. Sometimes it was almost a relief to be paged she thought to herself. “That’s me. I have to run,” she said, “Good luck.”

Dave glumly looked down at his own cup of coffee absent-mindedly stirring in too much sugar. He’d figure it out. He was almost relieved when his own beeper went off.  

The place that Kerry had chosen was packed. Everyone must be into the blues tonight, she thought to herself. She loved coming here though, even if it was so busy. Talking might be a little difficult though, she thought. John looked stunning, he wore a simple sweater, but one whiff of his cologne and Kerry was in heaven. How does he get away with looking like he had just stepped out of GQ magazine, with only a 10 minute shower and change.

John smiled and watched her. He was used to her in her hospital outfits, but in that dress!! She looked absolutely stunning. She was wearing a light green number. Small diamond stud earrings and had switched normal cane for one that was a dark rich mahogany. Her cast the only thing that threw off the effect of her dress. 

“Where do you want to sit?” Kerry had to practically shout that to him.

John looked at her for a moment, thinking. “Maybe somewhere over in that corner.” He waved a hand vaguely, while shouting through the noise. “Are you sure this is where you want to be?” he asked. “Its kinda noisy” he literally had to shout.

“I like it.” Kerry replied, “It has some atmosphere to it!” she grinned. She looked over his shoulder briefly in time to see a young man with his arms around a good looking blonde. 

“Is that Dave?” Kerry shouted looking over John’s shoulder. He turned slightly, and said, “Yup, looks likes him.” He was suddenly spun about while an absolutely stunning young blond female screamed into his ear. “John,” she shouted his name before proceeding to kiss him.

End of Part Eight

If you have comments or suggestions, email me at cimerene@gci.net