Chapter 4

The following morning in the doctor's lounge, Neela looked up from her newspaper to see Abby stroll in with a smile on her face. "Hey, you're up early, your shift doesn't start for another hour," Abby stated, looking at her inquiringly.

"You look chipper," Neela replied instead as she picked up her marker and resumed highlighting stuff on the newspaper. "Get laid?"

"Morning to you too, Neela," Abby responded glibly as she opened her locker. "Actually, yes, I did. But that's not why I'm smiling."

"Really, and what else, may I ask, do you have to smile about?" Neela asked, getting annoyed that Abby was so upbeat and she felt like crap.

Ignoring her question, Abby walked over to the table where Neela was seated. "What you got there?" Abby asked gesturing to the newspaper, "looking for a new occupation?"

"Ha ha, you're funny this morning," Neela responded sarcastically, "actually I'm looking for new place to live."

Uh-oh, Abby thought, but kept her face neutral as she curiously inquired, "Why, your lease with Ray already up?"

"Nope, I think it's time for a change; the apartment is getting a bit too crowded," Neela grimaced, taking out her cell phone to make some calls.

"Hold on one sec," Abby stopped her, grabbing the newspaper. "What do you mean by crowded?"

"Yup, crowded. Let's see - there's me, Ray, and Ray's ego," Neela counted off on her fingers. "See, that makes three; that's way too many. I signed up for one roommate, not Ray and his alter ego: Irrational-Narcisisstic-Ray."

It took all the willpower Abby had not to burst out laughing, and she struggled to keep a straight face. "Oh come on, Neela, you guys had one argument and you're ready to pack your bags and move out?"

"He told you about it, didn't he?" Neela asked accusingly. "I'm going to kill him!"

"Whoa, calm down!" Abby coaxed, putting her hands up in defense. "I twisted his arm; he was no more willing to tell me anything than you've been the last few days."

"Did he tell you how he barged in and proceeded to humiliate me and his friend, Bret, demanding that he leave!" Neela replied angrily.

"Yes, he told me what happened," Abby said tactfully, "but I think there's more to this than you realize. That's all I'm going to say." Abby studied her for a moment, noting that this fight had taken quite a toll on her friend. She looked exhausted, and underneath all the anger there was definitely some sadness.

Neela continued to glare at Abby as though she had been betrayed. Noticing this, Abby responded gently, "I'm not taking sides. You guys are my friends; I don't want to see either of you unhappy. All I ask..." Neela interrupted her by getting up and making her way to the door.

"Neela, wait!" Abby sighed but said firmly as she saw Neela pause with her hand on the doorknob. "All I ask is that you talk to him before you make any decisions about whether to move out or not."

Hoping for the best, Abby watched Neela leave the lounge wondering how long it would take for them to come around.