Chapter 515: The Beach House

Saturday, February 18th, Afternoon

She came running down the steps in her usual drive to work pants suit. Racing through the house, she looked for her backpack and wanted to ensure she had everything she needed for her up-and-coming sixteen-hour shift. She wasn't in a rush; she constantly moved at one hundred miles per hour.

Candi held her backpack open and looked through it. Every so often, she glanced at the coffee maker. The gears in her head turned to balance the pros and cons of a cup of coffee over water. Candi grunted and put her backpack down, and walked into the kitchenette.

"Hey Candi," Doctor Fawn Cabot, MD, said.

Candi looked over to Fawn. "Hey, Fawn," she said.

"Hey Candi," Doctor Madyson Longford, MD, said, her voice giving hints of her Melbourne Australian accent.

Candi nodded and looked from one to the other. "The gang up tactic," Candi said.

"We're not ganging up on you," Madyson said.

"It looks like you're double-teaming me," Candi said.

"We're not," Madyson said.

"You are, and not in a good way," Candi said.

"How would you know?" Madyson asked.

"I'll never tell," Candi said.

"You never say anything," Madyson said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Candi asked as she dug through a cabinet.

"You have all this high-end stuff, personalized autographed copies from some of the hottest brands, the ability to get us into clubs on the guest list, and all you say about that is their gifts," Madyson said.

"It's the truth, Mads," Candi said.

"I'm not worried about that stuff," Madyson said.

Candi looked to Fawn, "What is she rambling about?" she asked.

"Ask her," Fawn said.

Candi turned to Madyson. "What are you talking about?" she asked.

"How situations change, and we share everything. Rumors are flying around, being asked about it, and not having an answer. Finding out about this change through other people," Madyson said.

"Mads, was that gibberish or Australian?" Candi asked.

"Sorry," Madyson said.

"Crazy stuff," Candi said.

"Yeah," Madyson said.

"Now, I'm confused," Fawn said.

Candi shook her head. "So, what are you asking me about?" she asked.

"That guy from the engagement party, what's his name?" Madyson asked.

"Brendan?" Fawn asked.

"Yeah, him," Madyson said.

"What about Doctor Lyndon?" Candi asked.

"I heard from Milt you kicked his ass on the basketball court," Fawn said.

Candi smiled, "Yeah, made some money off that," she said.

"You did? What did you do with the money?" Fawn asked.

"I gave some of it to Cherish for new sneakers and the rest to Johna for food," Candi said.

"Of course, you did," Fawn said and laughed.

"So, Candi, what's the story between you and Doctor Lyndon?" Madyson asked.

Candi shrugged, "I don't know; I find him interesting," she said.

"Interesting? What does that mean?" Madyson asked.

"He works for Médecins Sans Frontières, something I'm interested in doing, and well, he's the first person I met that is doing it," Candi said.

"There's more to it than that," Madyson said.

"What do you mean?" Candi asked.

"You two had great chemistry; I thought you'd two would hook up," Madyson said.

"Really, Mads? What makes you say that?" Candi asked.

"Well, he did get you to put down Abuela's empanadas. You woof those down like there's no tomorrow," Fawn said.

"I need to get some air; you know crowds and me," Candi said.

"I've known you for how long? Don't try to bullshit a bullshitter. You're not agoraphobic," Fawn said.

Candi pulled a Yeti travel cup out of the cabinet and looked for bottled water. She filled it up and capped it; she looked at Fawn once finished. "Why are we talking about this?" Candi asked, "I'm about to go in for a sixteen."

"Don't blame me; it's all her," Fawn said and pointed to Madyson.

"What? I just noticed that Candi acts differently around Doctor Brendan," Madyson said.

"I do not," Candi said.

"You do," Madyson said.

"Now, let's not act like we're children, but I'll have to agree with the Aussie," Fawn said.

"It's Ozzie," Madyson said.

"Whatever," Fawn said.

"To quote Fawn here," Candi said, "You two are hot young doctors in Los Angeles, and you two seemed more interested in my sex life than your own."

"Lack thereof, Candi," Fawn said.

"Ay! Need to break that habit," Madyson said.

"What habit?" Candi asked.

"Celibacy," Madyson said.

Candi shook her head. "Look, I appreciate you are looking out for me, Mads, but I have goals I want to meet," she said.

"But," Madyson said.

"No, buts you, Ozzie Blockhead," Candi said, "I appreciate your concern, but I have to head to work."

"Candi, you can't let the past control your future," Fawn said.

"Thanks," Candi said, "I have to go."

"Fine," Fawn said.

Candi grabbed her Yeti and her backpack and started out of the house. As she opened the garage door, she could hear Madyson and Fawn talking.

"What did you mean by that, Fawn?" Madyson asked.

"That's for Candi to tell you," Fawn said.

Candi shook her head, stepped into the garage, and headed to her car. After getting into her car, she opened the garage door and headed to work.