"You really don't have to come with me mum." Malcolm told his mother a week later. "I'm old enough to come by myself, and I know the way." He said hopefully. She side glanced at him.
"An how would I know you were actually going?" she said.
"I wouldn't do that." Malcolm mumbled.
"We'll see." She said as they stepped into the elevator. "At least you won't have to sit by yourself today."
"I was fine, really." Malcolm said tiredly.
When the doors open they walked directly to the waiting area, which was empty. Mrs. Reed sat down elegantly and with perfect posture, and so she winced when her son slumped into the chair next to her and slapped his arm to get him to sit up straight. Scowling, Malcolm did so.
They sat there in a stifling silence for a long five minutes, until the door to Doctor Heather's office opened and a teenage girl with chocolate brown hair and dazzling green eyes came out.
She gave him a dazzling smile and mouthed 'hi' before she was dragged off down the corridor by an orderly. Malcolm watched her go. When he turned back round his mother was frowning at him.
"Who was that"? she asked. Malcolm just shrugged and silence fell once again
A week later Malcolm Reed was making his way to Graceman's on his own, having finally convinced his mother to let him go on his own. Well it was his father who had won the argument for him really, when his mother had gone to Stuart Reed for backup it had backfired on her, as his only response had been "Don't molly coddle the boy, a little bit of independence is a good thing." And that was that. Malcolm was on his own.
He stepped out of the elevator and walked leisurely down the corridor to the waiting room. Taking a few seconds to take in the boring cream painted walls and tiled floor. Do all medical institutions have to be the same mind-numbingly dull colour?
"Yes." Said a voice making Malcolm jump.
"Huh?" he said, as he sat down opposite her in the waiting room, confused as to what she meant.
"You said 'Do all medical institutions have to be the same mind-numbingly dull colour?' and I said yes" she said putting on his British accent rather well.
"Oh, I didn't realise I said that out loud." He said slightly embarrassed, she grinned at him.
"Thought so." She said still smiling. "Soooo . . . where's your mum today?" she asked pulling her legs up onto the chair and crossing them.
"At home sulking probably." He said, when she raised an eyebrow inquisitively he elaborated. "I wanted to come on my own, she said no, but my father said it would be good to get some independence, or something of that sort."
"Ah. Well, I definitely think he's right there. I had independence from an early age and look where it got me; the best suite on the crazy ward." She said smiling bitterly, Malcolm smirked.
"Don't let my mother hear you, she might use it as an argument against me."
"Don't worry I don't we'll ever have an in-depth conversation, I doubt someone as . . . well-to-do and mentally healthy as your mother would engage in conversation with me." She said reassuringly. Malcolm raised his eyebrows and nodded slightly.
"So how's life treating you Malcolm?" she said cheerfully.
"Wonderfully." He said sarcastically.
"That's good then." She said feigning ignorance, he rolled his eyes.
"How about you?" he shot back.
"Oh much the same, wonderful. You know the most exciting thing happened yesterday, we had green jello, instead of the usual red. Some of the more excitable patients actually wet their pants, I'm telling you its non-stop fun around here." Malcolm laughed.
"I'm sure." He said still smiling slightly. "Sounds better than birthday shopping for your little sister." He grumbled. She laughed.
"Oh is it her birthday? Don't you know what to get her?" she asked.
"Yeah today actually. And it's not that I don't know what to get, she's told me exactly what she wants, now I just have to find it, among groups of crazy Saturday shoppers, ugh." He cringed, Jennifer laughed.
"I'd come with you, but I have a really busy day today."
"Right, of course."
"Hey Malcolm . . . didn't you say last week, that your sisters birthday was a week before yours?" she asked cautiously.
"Yeah, why?" he asked suspiciously.
"No reason." She said quickly. Too quickly.
"Right." He said unconvinced.
Just then the door to Doctor Lieberman's office opened and Malcolm's name was called. He got up from his chair and walked towards the door.
"Bye Mal." Jennifer said smiling. "Happy birthday to your sister, good luck getting her present."
"Thanks. See you next week." He said. She smiled and nodded at him as he closed the door behind him.
Thanks for the reviews people!
Drakir - here's some more for you!
The Libran Iniquity - thanks for the review, i know about the length, i just can't write a lot in one go, so i just post what i have, sorry, can't be helped, much anyways
lieutenants-lady - yeah i had the story in my head just had to write it down!
HoVis - thanks! i thought it was sweet too, malcolm's sappy at heart you see
Okay please review and i'll update soon, so hit that lickle purple button and tell me what you thought! Thanks x x x
