The Next Day:
Raphie is at the Hawks HQ picking up some things that Anna has left behind the night before… like her
purse. "Raphie, is Anna here today?" Raphie looks up. "Hi Dr. Dani, how are you today… No she has a
spin in the ER today. She is at the hospital." "Do you think she would mind if I stopped by?" Raphie
stops what he is doing for a moment. "Dr. Dani… can I ask you why you dislike her so much?"
"Raphie… I don't dislike her. I don't like her methods and I just haven't been myself lately." Raphie
surveys Dani for a moment. "Believe me, you two are a lot more alike that you realize and contrary to
what you seem to believe… she is not actually the source of all evil in the universe… well she ceases to
be after her morning coffee. Before…" He makes a hand gesture. "She is just passionate… like you."
Raphie winks at Dani. "What exactly do you do for her anyway?"
Raphie sits on the edge of Anna's desk. "Dani, she is my best friend. When I needed a job… she gave me
one. Now… she couldn't live without me. I know more about her life than she does… You know what…
are you free tonight?" Dani thinks for a minute. "Yes… what are you proposing." He pulls out a mini
ipad and looks at it. "Why don't I schedule you for dinner say 7:00 at Citrus on Amsterdam?" Dani
thinks about it for a moment. "Won't she be blindsided?" Raphie smiles. "Trust me… she has been
blindsided more than Michael Orr." Dani laughs at the pun. "Ok you have convinced me… 7 it is." Dani
walks out of the office. Matt stops in after Dani is out of earshot. "How did you do that?" Raphie
laughs at him. "Matt, Darling… there are some places straight men should fear to tread." Raphie taps
him on the shoulder. "Leave the bitches to us." Matt laughs as Raphie walks away.
That evening:
Anna arrives at Citrus slightly after 7:00, Dani is already at the table. Anna laughs as she approaches
knowing that Raph is up to his tricks. "Dani." Anna approaches the table. Dani smiles. "Anna." Anna
takes her seat across from Dani. The waiter approaches the table once Anna sits down. "Good Evening,
Ms. Anna." Anna looks up with a smile. "Good Evening Michael."
"So what would you like to start with?" Anna smiles. "Would you like some wine, Dani?" Dani looks
surprised for a moment which Anna cannot quite place. "None for me, thank you could I have iced tea
please." Michael nods to her as he jots it down. He looks at Anna. "Louis Jadot?" Anna nods with a
smile. "That would be lovely. Thank you." The two women make light small talk until it is time to
order to get the awkwardness of the moment over with. "So Dani, tell me about yourself." Dani begins
to her Anna about her practice and about her divorce. Anna tells her that she understands… had a
cheating spouse as well but didn't end up with two great kids. They commiserate about divorce and life
after as they enjoy their dinners. Dani asks Anna about her love life and the man she was with at the
one game. Anna reveals that she is sort of dating an attorney. At the moment… it is more sleeping with
than dating… they are still figuring it out. Over coffee, Anna asks the question that Dani knew was
coming… so she thought. "So… are you going to tell me how long you have been wondering if you are
pregnant?" Dani is shocked. How the hell would she be able to know that? "Excuse me?" Anna takes a
sip of coffee. "Dani… we are about the same age and you have been raging at me without knowing a
bloody thing about me…" Dani's expression is pure shock. "Dani… I am not hassling you… Believe it or
not I understand it and can help." Dani is trying to figure out how to react. "How could you possibly
know that I haven't told anyone." Anna leans closer to keep the conversation quiet. "I was a Navy Doc
for almost 20 years. Ain't my first rodeo… and I have been there myself." Dani knows that Anna is
speaking the truth. She is raging …. Like because of hormones… anger… a thousand things. "Does he
know?" The look that Dani gives her conveys the answer. "No." Anna sips some more coffee. "Dani,
I am not the enemy. If I can help… let me know." Anna drops the subject. Dani is a bit relieved that
someone else knows. For whatever reason… it makes it easier. She remembers the words that Raphie
said the other night. She is first and foremost a medical Doctor… she wouldn't break a trust like that. It
is not in her. Maybe at last… she has an ally.