Chapter Ten

Tuesday, July 2 11:47 AM

Doc Magoo's diner was a diner across the street from Fairview Memorial and its main clientele were hospital staff. The place had been around since the 50's so it was pretty run down. But it was great for hospital workers on break who just needed a quick cup of coffee or a small bite to eat. Patients and their families tended to steer clear from it because it looked so run-down and dingy. They usually went to the McDonalds or one of the other fast food restaurants up the street.

Gabrielle forced herself to hide her disappointment when she saw Carlos having lunch in Doc Magoo's, with Orson Hodge, one of the neurologists at Fairview Memorial. She'd talked to Carlos in the morning and he told he would too busy to eat lunch with her after Grand Rounds.

Thankfully, Susan led her and Bree to a table in the corner of the diner. Bree gave Carlos a wave before Susan yanked her hand down and steered her into a chair facing the wall. Gabrielle saw what her friend was doing but rebelled against Susan's attempt to put her in the chair with her back to Carlos. Instead she sat in the opposite seat, facing Orson and Carlos dead-on.

Carlos acted like he didn't even see her. Poor Orson looked terrible. She hadn't seen him since his divorce was finalized. Maybe Carlos was trying to cheer him up. Maybe that's why he blew off Gabrielle's lunch invite.

"I'm having a beer." She told the waitress, ignoring Bree and Susan's looks of surprise. "What?" she asked, staring past them as Carlos and Orson stood up to leave. "It's almost noon and I'm not on again until tomorrow morning."

Bree ordered orange juice, "I'm back on tonight."

"Aww," Susan said, ordering a fancy French vanilla Latte even though they all knew the closest she would get was plain black coffee. "I'm not."

"What happened with Dr. Wilson's son?" Bree asked. "I can't believe Dr. Lindquist messed up. She seems like an incredible doctor."

"She must have missed something because I know I didn't." Susan said.

Gabrielle moved her attention away from Carlos and back to her friends. "Don't blame the nurses. I double-checked all the meds and the blood packs—no mistakes, everything was in order."

Bree turned around and looked towards the doorway of the diner. "Who's the cute guy Carlos was having lunch with?"

"Orson Hodge, neurology but don't even think about it." Susan replied. "He just got divorced. And he's an attending."

Bree shrugged and took a sip of her juice, "Doesn't hurt to look."

"You know, Gabby," Susan continued, "There are only two reasons a guy is hanging out with his friend and avoiding his girlfriend. One of them comes with a pregnancy test."

"Shut up, Susan. I'm not pregnant, and we're not going to have kids for a while. I thought—I hoped—but he's been acting really weird lately."

"Weird?" Bree asked.

"Well he hasn't touched me in almost two weeks. No matter how hard I try. This is the longest we've ever gone without sex."

"I think he's going to ask you to have kids." Bree said. "Men get all weird about that stuff."

"I think he's sick. Or stressed. Junior year of surgery is tough." Susan said.

"Men's idea of romance is holding off on sex until a special occasion. They think their making a commitment."

Gabby took a gulp of her beer, "He has been jumpy lately. Not sleeping well. You really think he wants kids?"

"You said you two had a big date planned for the Fourth didn't you?" Susan asked.

"Trust me; everything is going to be fine." Bree reassured Gabby.

Gabby smiled as she felt her worries leave. Bree was right. After all, Carlos was the only man she had shared her past with, and he had done all right with the knowledge that she had been a victim of child abuse and a rape victim later on in life. He'd accepted her for who she was now, not what had happened four years ago.

Her smile widened as she imagined them watching the July Fourth fireworks together, lying on a blanket together. How could she ever have doubted him?

During their lunch they discussed Grand Rounds and the Nicholas Wilson resuscitation. They even talked about possible ideas for a baby's nursery. Bree made Gabrielle promise she would call as soon as Carlos talked to her. While they waited for the check, Susan stepped outside for some fresh air.

Gabrielle watched her track down the waitress first, knew Susan was paying their check. She smiled and said nothing to Bree. "What's up with you and Andrew?" She asked instead.

"He's certainly not the doctor his father was." Bree said, sighing.

"Yep, I've heard rumours from some other nurses at another hospital he worked at." Gabrielle said.

"I can't believe how he treated The Millers. That poor baby."

"What about the way he treated you?"

"Well that too, but that's not worth discussing."

"Bree, he grabbed you. Susan and I saw it if you want to report it—"

"Gabby, you're overreacting. He's my son, I'm not reporting him. He's just a bully, and has always been one."

Maybe Gabby was overreacting, she hoped so. "Fine, if you say so."

To Be Continued