Author's Note: Thank you for all of the kind reviews, loyalty, and patience. I kept meaning to write; I kept wanting to write. But in June, I contracted a terrible case of writer's block and it is finally beginning to lift. So thank you, keep checking for updates, and be sure to visit my profile and answer my Emergency! poll. :)
"Edith, you never cease to amaze me," Dixie took a sip from her milk carton.
"And Dixie, you never cease to flatter me," Edith chuckled. "It was really nothing. All I did was make the child feel comfortable." She took a bite out of her roast beef sandwich and chewed thoughtfully.
Margie timidly approached their table, lunch tray in her hands. "May I join you?"
Dixie looked to her and smiled. "Why certainly. Take a seat." She pulled out an empty chair.
"Thank you." The student nurse sat.
"So," Edith began. "Plans for the weekend. Who's got some?"
Margie brought her sandwich to her mouth and stopped. "I got a date. Johnny, that nice paramedic, is taking me out."
"Oh." Dixie nodded, trying to seem impressed.
"That's very good, Margie." Edith added.
"My brother and his wife are coming up for the weekend." Dixie took another sip of milk. "We're going to have a barbeque."
"Oh, that sounds like fun!"
Margie nodded in agreement. "What about you, Dr. Thorne?"
"Oh, I don't know… I might just get some chores done. Do some laundry, mow the lawn…"
Margie looked shocked. "Mow the lawn! Isn't that your husband's job?"
"Not when you don't have a husband."
"You mean you're not married?"
"Not anymore." The doctor managed a weak smile. "But that's okay, Margie, you didn't know."
Dixie's eyes were wide. "Dr. Thorne, I'm sorry to hear that."
She held up a hand. "It's alright, really. It was a while ago."
Margie blinked back tears. "He's not dead, is he?"
"Oh no, not dead. Just a very old-fashioned man."
Dixie said, "Sounds like Kel."
The three women laughed.
Edith continued. "Barry Ells his name was. Met in high school, got married right after. He went to work every day at the mechanic's shop and I stayed home and kept house…"
The young nurse was looking at her intently. "Yeah…?"
"I decided one day that cooking, cleaning, and ironing his shirts was fine, but I had ambitions, goals, that I wanted to pursue. I wanted to study medicine. But when I told old Barry he just flipped his lid, telling me that women belonged in the house and all sorts of other things.
I told him I wasn't about to give up and to please think about it. Well, he thought about it and surprised me with some legal papers and, that was that…"
"Edith, I'm so sorry," Dixie commiserated.
"I'm alright, now. That was a few years ago. I just can't decide if he was wrong, or if it was me."
"There's nothing wrong with wanted to be a doctor," Margie insisted. "I think it's great that you went for it."
Edith smiled. "Thanks, Margie. I'm glad you think so."
Dixie placed a comforting hand on Edith's. "And Edith? You make a wonderful doctor."
