I do not own any American Gothic characters, this is a work of fan fiction. This story is a continuation of my previous stories and follows on from Sins of the Past.
It was a scorching early morning in Trinity South Carolina, the sun was already high in the sky with no clouds to shield from it's relentless rays and the streets were busy with residents making arrangements for the highly anticipated fundraising event, which had been the talk of the Town for weeks.
Matt Crower sat impatiently behind Doctor Larry Charlton's desk after completing his 14 hour night shift without a break, attempting to remain calm. All he wanted to do was return to the Boarding House to get some much needed sleep; however, it appeared that Doctor Charlton had other plans.
'-This Hospital has been one of the most respectable institutions in Trinity since it was built in 1886, a number of highly competent men have had the pleasure of workin' here-'
'And women' Matt interrupted the lecture calmly without thinking, then closed his mouth when he saw the look of irritation on Doctor Charlton's face and realised that this was not supposed to be a two way conversation.
'Of course women too, we welcome all kinds here including out of state Doctors who are lookin' for a second chance...We've been very accomodatin' of you Matt, I even recommended you to reclaim your current position after that awful incident a few years ago-'
'You mean when I shot at the Sheriff and had a mental breakdown, which none of my highly trained medical colleagues spotted the signs of?' Matt asked impatiently, unable to keep holding his tongue and just wanting Doctor Charlton to get on with whatever this was.
Larry inhaled deeply in an attempt to calm himself at the blatant lack of respect for his authority, not appreciating being interrupted for a second time and he decided that he was going to enjoy what came next.
'I bet your 18 year old babysitter didn't enjoy how you interrupted her for the second time when she bent over to pick up your Son yesterday evening' Gail said casually from the open office door, smiling sweetly when she spotted Doctor Charlton's look of irritation at her sudden appearance.
Matt was just as surprised by Gail's appearance as his boss was and he could not hide his smile when she disregarded Doctor Charlton's clear dislike of her, walking into the room openly as if she had been invited.
'Mrs Buck, to what do we owe the pleasure?' Larry asked in agitation, trying to force a pleasant tone.
'Oh, I was just in the neighbourhood and thought I'd swing by to see what my Father's old friend Larry was getting up to...Don't let me interrupt your important meeting, continue I insist' Gail ordered sweetly, perching herself on the edge of Larry's desk and signalling for him to carry on.
Larry straightened his white jacket and tried to stand tall, not expecting this type of company when he was carrying out the Sheriff's orders. 'As I was sayin', this is a respectable Hospital and we can't have our Doctors-'
'Acting inappropriately towards young women? Or using their influence to push a single Mother into putting her Son up for adoption, making her believe that she had no other choice?' Gail asked pleasantly before Larry could finish, calling his own respectability into question.
Matt stared wide eyed at Doctor Charlton, disgusted by the subtle accusations that he was hearing.
'Disgusted isn't a strong enough word to describe what our good Doctor likes to get up to behind closed doors...downright reprehensible would be more accurate' Gail advised Matt, then they both turned towards Larry expectantly waiting for his response.
Larry froze at the accusations, unsure of how Gail could know so much about his private affairs when he did not share his business with anyone. He felt a surge of anger flow through him at their judgemental stares and he shook his head in disbelief. 'He's been arrested twice!' Larry snapped, trying to turn the judgement back to Matt and attempting to push down his shame.
'Three times actually, but who's counting?' Matt shrugged coolly, following Gail's casual lead.
'Your behaviour is unacceptable and I can't have one of my Doctors being seen in such a wa-' Larry started sternly.
'You're kidding right? Do I really need to open up an investigation into the board of Directors of this Hospital, in order to prove how far down the chain his 'poor behaviour' actually is?' Gail asked sarcastically, unable to believe that Larry was still trying to stay on point when she would have no issue with airing his indiscretions.
Larry shifted on the spot nervously for a moment and decided that it was safer not to fire Matt Crower right now, rather than to risk an official investigation. 'He stays on the night shifts permanently, that way I can limit his exposure' he resigned moodily, having no intention of letting Matt off lightly after this display.
'Or he stays on regular shifts, being that he's the best Doctor you have and he doesn't sue you for bullying in the workplace, considering you've roped him into those ungodly night shifts 80% more than any of your other staff just to impress a certain person who we both know' Gail countered sweetly, regarding Larry smugly and daring him to challenge her.
Larry tried to think of a another counter, hating the thought of letting this woman win, then let out a moody huff when he came up with nothing and stormed out of his office to call the Sheriff.
'80%? Since when are you interested in my shifts?' Matt asked amused, realising that she had clearly been checking up on him when he thought she did not care anymore.
'Since I can't schedule a simple check up for my Daughter with someone even remotely competent, unless I settle for a 2am appointment' Gail sighed, then rolled her eyes when Matt smiled happily at her and got up to leave the office.
'Why are you really here Gail? You're the one that decided this friendship isn't your responsibility anymore' Matt asked as he followed her down the corridor, suspecting that this stunt would cause all sorts of inconvenience for her when Lucas found out.
'Since when am I afraid of Lucas Buck?' she laughed reading his thoughts, actually looking forward to her Husbands retaliation to this with how nice he had been recently to keep their family life civil. 'Besides, if you did manage to get fired, I'd only have to deal with the most infuriating gloating that there ever was and I'm not in the mood for that'
Matt laughed and shook his head, once again she had bailed him out when he had deserved punishment. As usual he did not know how to repay her for her friendship.
'Be better' Gail said sarcastically, then nudged him playfully as he shot her an innocent look and was relieved that he had not made her apologise for cutting him out of her life a few months earlier, due to a complete overreaction on her part.
Matt sensed her relax and continued to smile happily, knowing that it was her who got him out of jail the other month and content with letting past events go. 'So what now Mrs Buck? I gather you got me out of this for a reason?' he asked curiously, pushing away his tiredness and ready to help her should she need it.
Gail sensed his loyalty and linked her arm around his, knowing how much rekindling her friendship with Matt would bother her Husband. 'First you go home and get some sleep, then we'll talk...I want you well rested ready for the fundraiser tomorrow' she advised and led him out of the Hospital towards her car, not giving any of her intentions away.
Lucas sat comfortably behind the desk in his office, going through the monthly crime reports. Apart a few unfortunate incidents in Goat Town the previous month, everything was running smoothly and that was the way Lucas liked it.
'Davie Bates is on his third speedin' ticket this fortnight Lucas, you want me to bring him in?' Ben asked from the other side of the desk, as he sifted through his notes.
'You know who Davie is?' Lucas responded flatly, without taking his attention off of the file in front of him.
Ben looked up from his notepad and regarded him cautiously. 'He was our ride in High School' he sighed, sensing where this was going.
'Let it slide Benji' Lucas ordered casually, turning the page and continuing to read the reports.
A knock on the office door caught both of their attention and Lucas let out a long sigh when he saw Doctor Charlton staring at him expectantly. He signalled for Ben to leave, then closed the file and nodded for Larry to sit down. 'What can I do you for Doctor Charlton?' he asked, sensing that Larry was about to ruin his pleasant morning.
'Your Wife is outta control!' Larry snapped uncontrollably, then spotted the look of warning on Lucas' face and tried to force himself to relax.
'My Wife is a lot of things, but I assure you she is in full control of whatever she does and the whole Town would know if she truly lost it...What's botherin' you friend? Trouble completin' the only task I've givin' you in over a year?' Lucas asked sarcastically, beginning to wonder why he kept this man around.
Larry shifted uncomfortably in the chair and regarded Lucas apologetically. 'It wasn't my fault-' he started in his defence.
'-So you let a little woman crash a meetin' in your private office and didn't even have the balls to follow through? What am I supposed to do with you?' Lucas interrupted in agitation, letting out a small sigh.
'But she said-'
'I don't give a damn what she said Larry, at the end of the day you're the current Head Doctor of the Hospital and you have a responsibility to that institution. A Reporter, no matter what her name is, shouldn't have power over what you do for the good of your Hospital' Lucas advised sternly, not believing that Larry could not handle such a simple task.
'Well- I- well she-' Larry stuttered nervously, then resigned himself to his failure. 'I'm sorry Lucas, I'll do better'
'Good, now if you don't mind I have my own responsibilities as Sheriff to attend to' Lucas advised, lifting up to folder on his desk to emphasise his point.
Larry nodded obediently, then got up and exited the office quickly without saying anything further.
'Problems?' Billy asked sarcastically as he poked his head through the opening in the door, keeping his distance until Doctor Charlton had gone to avoid being dragged into any boring conversation.
'You timed that right' Lucas responded, closing the file again and running his fingers through his hair in frustration.
'For me I guess' Billy smiled, knowing how much Doctor Charlton grated on his friend recently. He did not have anything against the man himself; however, it was clear the Doctor believed that he was better than most people and it was amusing to watch Lucas shoot him down on occasion.
'I don't suppose you'd be interested in a promotion friend?' Lucas asked curiously, imagining how satisfying it would be to replace Larry.
'Oh you wouldn't want that, I'd take one look at Gail in one of those short little dresses of hers and she'd own the place' Billy joked, then spotted the smug look on Lucas' face and closed his eyes in irritation at himself. 'M's behind me isn't she?'
'Absolutely' Lucas advised amused, then stood up and remained silent to let Billy fend for himself.
'Oh she'd own the place would she?' Merlyn asked bluntly, unimpressed by the comment from her boyfriend about her Cousin.
Billy tried to think of a plausible defence to his comment, then just shrugged. 'I was kiddin' and only tryin' to get a rise out of him-' he started in his defence.
'-Well tonight you can go ahead and get a rise out of yourself' Merlyn interrupted sweetly, then turned around and began walking away.
'Oh come on, don't go...There's somethin' important we need to do!' Billy exclaimed, as he watched Merlyn storm out of the Sheriff's Station in a mood and cursed out loud for his own stupidity.
'Welcome to my world friend' Lucas laughed and patted Billy on the back, then led him out of the office to see what mischief he could cause to work off his Wife's insubordination.
-To be continued-