Part 75
Paul and Quinn were talking in the hospital cafeteria.
"Here's my idea," Paul said. "I'm going to cook Thanksgiving at my house, and have my parents over. You want to come?"
"OK. Later, I want to go over my folks."
"Why not invite them here, too? The more the merrier!"
"They're not having dinner there."
"Oh, at one of your grandparents?"
"No. Over at Peter's Mom's house - she invited them. I guess she wants to have a dinner for them, just to thank them, and she needs a lot of people there for another reason."
"Oh, them! They have to have 'another reason!' Pray, what might that be?"
"Only to have the father over, so he can see Peter."
"For which we need to call out the National Guard! Heaven help us! See how far getting too involved with the patient can extend!"
"Well, it's gone further than that. Who at first could have said? It's not a burden at this point. They're like friends."
"But they always need help!"
"They don't have extended family like we do."
"Your folks, my folks. If we were married, we would have this issue every year! So let's not add in the Russians from Hell, whatever their unpronounceable name is."
"If. But then you would ask me, at least, first, I presume?"
"Well. Of course."
"Why wouldn't you think I'd want to go to my folks? Leaving aside the Russians?"
"Every couple must have this issue. There's a way. It's never caused divorce, directly, that I know of. Heck, I say go see your folks tomorrow. Why bother with the Russians?"
"I'd like to see them."
"Visit them anytime! Visit them sometime when you don't have to help them with their visit from their father that is of international diplomatic importance. Take a day off. You don't need to be at work all day. And you don't get triple time for that. But as to visiting for their own merit, they have nothing to offer. Trouble only. Interest maybe. Watch a soap opera and stay out of their affairs - it's safer."
Quinn only shrugged. "I do want to see them. And their house. But mainly my folks, and that's where they're going."
"OK. If you want to get caught in World War III, that's your business."
Quinn made a face at him.
