July 4th, 2001
John quickly signed off of a chart and slid it back into its rightful place. Both he and Jing-Mei had to pull a double shift. Luckily, He was almost done....in three hours. Jing-Mei still had five hours.. Suddenly, a par of slender hands covered his eyes.
"Guess who." A familiar voice said. John stood there for a moment putting his hands on the stranger's hands.
"I was never really good at this game." He said. The woman laughed.
"Come on, John. We were old buddies way back when."
"Ah....I don't know."
"MY name is the same of a famous author." She said. John chuckled slightly.
"What book?"
"To Kill A Mocking Bird." John stood there for a minute trying to think. A small smile spread across his face.
"No way." He removed the hands and turned around, "Harper!"
"Surprise!" Harper Tracy, John's old flame, smiled. John grabbed her in a huge hug.
"God...Why didn't you call and saying you were in town?" Harper laughed hugging him back.
"I wanted it to be a surprise." She said pulling away, "God John...You look great."
"So do you." John smiled, "and your hair is brown."
"It is naturally." She winked at him.
"So, that OB rotation in Texas took what...Five years?" John asked. Harper blushed slightly.
"Ah...yeah. Sorry about that." She said, "So, how have you been?"
"Ah...I've had my ups and downs since you left but I'm in an up right now." John said shoving his hands into his pockets, "How about you? You went to work for NASA right?" Harper chuckled.
"No...The air force." She said, "It was pretty good. It was four years I'll never forget that's for sure. So tell me...Doctor Carter." She laughed slightly saying doctor. Last time she saw him he was just a med student. "What are you doing this Fourth of July?"
"It's the fourth of July?" John asked scratching his neck. Harper laughed.
"Yeah...You know it's the holiday where there are fireworks and barbeques and drinking." She said.
"Hardy har har." John smiled. "I think I'm going home and falling into bed." Harper smiled slightly at that.
"What to go out and catch up on old times?" She asked. "It is the fourth after all." John scratched his neck and then nodded.
"Sure...I'm off in a few." He said, "Why don't we meet at McAllister's at eight thirty?" Harper nodded with a sly smile.
"Sounds great to me." She said, "I'll see you there."
"Okay. It was great seeing you again, Harper." She backed away with a smile on her face.
"It was all my pleasure." She winked at left. John chuckled softly and went back to work. Harper Tracey...a big old blast from my past.
* * *
John tossed his keys on the kitchen table. He couldn't believe Harper was in town. He walked into his bedroom to find a nice outfit to wear. He had to look at least halfway presentable. John grabbed his favourite pair of khaki pants and blue button up shirt. He quickly got those on and begun to gel up his hair. He turned in the mirror.
"Not that bad." He chuckled and grabbed his jacket. He remembered Jing-Mei. "Crap." John grabbed a piece of paper and wrote a note.
Deb,
A friend came to town and we decided to go out to catch up. See you later
John
"That'll have to do." John sighed and left. Sure he was nervous seeing Harper. He cared for her very much when they were together. Tonight would prove to be interesting.
John slowly walked into McAllister's. It was filled to the brim with people. Smoke filled the air and the stench of liquor lingered behind that smell. John sighed softly looking around for Harper. There she was...Near the window. John smiled and walked up to the table.
"Is this seat taken little lady?" He asked. Harper chuckled.
"Only by you." She smiled, "I hope you don't mind. I already ordered. Burger and beer."
"Oh. I don't drink." John said.
"Since when?" Harper asked raising her eyebrow.
"Ah...Awhile ago. I'm trying to cut down." John said. "I'll just have some Pepsi."
"Oooookay." Harper shrugged. John tapped his fingers against the table.
"So...You're a brunette now." He said. Harper smiled running her hand through her hair.
"I've always been a brunette. I was born one." She chuckled. "Do you like?"
"Yes. I like it a lot." John smiled. Harper leaned over and smiled.
"Good." She said with a wink. Soon, their meal was put on the table and john ordered a large Pepsi.
"I'm starved. I haven't eaten since this morning." John said picking up his burger and stuffing it into his mouth. The juices tasted so good.
"So, tell me. How's County doing?" Harper asked eating a fry,
"County is...county." He chuckled.
"Is Greene still there?" John nodded.
"Yeah. He just had a baby a few months ago with a surgeon." John said, "Dr. Weaver is still there."
"Ah...Always loved her." Harper chuckled, "And what about..What's her face Boulet?" John shook his head.
"She's been gone for awhile." John looked at Harper. He could see the gears turning in her head.
"And...What about..."
"He's gone." John said knowing she was thinking about Doug. "He's been gone for awhile with...Carol Hathaway. They have ah...two-year-old twin girls." Harper nodded.
"Good. They were always good for each other." Harper said quietly. John nodded. "So, you seeing anyone John?"
"Seeing anyone? As in dating?" John asked with a small smile.
"Yes as in dating." John shook his head.
"Then no. I'm not dating anyone." Harper smiled.
"Good."
* * *
"Honey, I'm home." Jing-Mei chuckled walking into the apartment. There was silence, "John? Happy Fourth of July. I got take out and sparklers....John?" There was no response. She put her surprises on the kitchen table. "John?" Jing-Mei looked down at the note. She frowned.
"An old friend?" She said. Right...old friend. Probably an old girlfriend. "An old girlfriend....No I'm not jealous." Jing-Mei crossed her arms. Who could it be? Oooh...Maybe it's Rena. Jing-Mei frowned and went into the bedroom to get dressed. Where would John go? Macalister's. That's his favourite restaurant. "Then I'll just go and see who this old friend is."
* * *
It was nice being with Harper again. John had forgotten how much fun they used to have...in and out of the bedroom. John blushed slightly as the turned and looked out the window. The fireworks had started down on the river. The restaurant was positioned just right.
"I love fireworks." Harper said with a smirk. "I love the finales. The big loud fireworks. I love them all." John chuckled.
"Yes. I love those too." Harper moved her seat closer to John's seat.
"I love this." She looked at him and smiled. What is she doing? "I miss you John."
"I ah...I missed you too, Harper but-" Harper's lips come down upon his. It took him a second to realize what was happening.
Jing-Mei stepped onto the sidewalk where Macalister's was. She ran her hand through her hair as she stepped up to the place. She looked in the window and her heart sank. There John was...kissing another girl.
"That bastard." Jing-Mei frowned and stalked off back to her apartment.
John gently pushed Harper away.
"What do you think you're doing, Harper?" He asked wiping his lips. She smiled softly.
"Kissing you." She chuckled.
"I can't kiss you. I'm with someone else." He said. Harper stared at him.
"But you said you weren't dating anyone."
"I'm not. I'm very serious with my girlfriend. Extremely serious and I wouldn't want to jeopardize that." John said. Harper bit her lip.
"How serious?" Harper asked. John sighed. How serious was he? What did he want out of his and Jing-Mei's relationship? He looked at Harper.
"Marriage and kids serious." He said.
"Oh." Harper ran her hair through her brown locks and forced out a smile, "I'm happy for you John, really I am...but..I should go." Harper stood up.
"No...wait." Harper shook her head.
"It's okay. John." She said, "I'll see you around sometime." She smiled softly and quickly left the restaurant. John sighed as the Fireworks outside came to an end.
"I really should get home." He mumbled as he stood up and paid the bill.
John walked up the steps of the apartment building and unlocked the door. Stupid Harper having to come to town. He muttered and walked down the hallway. He stopped in front of his door. There were three large suitcases sitting there. His three large suitcases filled with his things. He groaned and knocked on the door.
"Deb. Can I come in?" He asked.
"Go away you two-timing jerk." Jing-Mei said from within the apartment.
"What?" John scratched his neck.
"I saw you kissing some other woman so go away!" She snapped. She saw. John sighed.
"That was Harper Tracey." John said.
"You're ex-girlfriend..."
"Yes...My ex." He said.
"You two were kissing." Jing-Mei said, "So you're out of the house."
"She kissed me." John cried, "I didn't want her too. I thought we were just gonna be catching up and the next thing I know she's kissing me. I pushed her away as soon as I realized it. I didn't want to kiss her."
"Why should I believe you?" She asked.
"Because I love you, not her. I want to marry you not her. She was just an old friend that got the wrong idea of a dinner invitation." There was silence on the other side of the door for a moment. John heard the door unlock and she opened it up slowly. She peered out at him.
"You want to marry me?" Jing-Mei asked quietly. A small smile spread across John's face as he nodded.
"Eventually yes." He said watching her. She looked down at the floor and opened the door further.
"I'm giving you one more chance, John." She said, "and if you blow it, you're out of the house and out of my life, understand?" He nodded.
"I understand." Jing-Mei smiled softly and let him all the way in.
"You're still sleeping on the couch tonight." Jing-Mei said. John nodded.
"All right." He said.
"Is Harper gone?" She asked.
"She's gone for good."
