Chapter 6

Claire sat on her couch in her apartment watching television. She then heard a knock on the door. Claire got up and opened the door to see the young teenage patient.

"Amber," Claire said. "What are you doing here?"

"Dr. Browne," Amber said. "I need to speak with you."

"How did you find out where I live?" Claire asked.

"I followed you home," Amber replied.

"You need to leave," Claire said.

"Dr. Browne," Amber said. "I need to know what to do. I went to the abortion clinic and I almost went through with it, but then I decided not to."

"Amber," Claire said. "I can't give you a consultation outside the office. I could lose my license."

"I'm scared to tell my mother," Amber said.

"I can't tell you what to do and you can't be here," Claire said. "It is up to you."

Claire closed the door and locked it.

Meanwhile at Shaun and Lea's apartment, Lea sat on the couch drinking a glass of wine and painting her toenails.

"I'm drinking wine on the couch!" Lea sang aloud to herself. "Shaun's not here to tell me not to! I'm drinking wine and giving myself a mani-pedi, alone!"

Lea then heard a knock on the door.

"Aw man!" Lea said. "Did they not hear me singing about how I'm alone?"

Lea got up and walked to the door. She then looked through the peephole to see Dr. Glassman.

"Crap!" Lea whisper-shouted.

"Lea?" Dr. Glassman asked.

Lea didn't respond.

"I know you're in there," Dr. Glassman said. "I just heard you singing about being alone."

"Go away, Glassy!" Lea shouted. "Shaun has the flu and I think I'm getting it too!"

"I know Shaun's in Long Beach," Dr. Glassman said. "He texted me."

Lea opened the door and Dr. Glassman entered.

"You're not supposed to be driving," Lea said.

"I took an Uber," Dr. Glassman said.

"Lyft is better," Lea said.

"Need I remind you that Shaun's residency is very hard to obtain and can be easily revoked," Dr. Glassman said.

"I know," Lea said.

"Why did you convince Shaun to lie?" Dr. Glassman asked.

"He wanted to see his best friend," Lea said.

"That police detective…" Dr. Glassman started to say before Lea interrupted him.

"Sergeant," Lea corrected him. "He was promoted to Sergeant."

"That police sergeant is not his best friend," Dr. Glassman said. "He hardly knows him."

"Glassy," Lea said. "Listen to me. Max Clark is Shaun's best friend. You should see the way their faces light up whenever they see each other, and how cute it is when they interact. They are both on the spectrum and they understand each other. Max lost his brother too."

"He did?" Dr. Glassman asked.

"Yes," Lea replied. "When Max was 14, his brother was hit by a party bus and died after being in a coma for six months."

"Did the driver get charged?" Dr. Glassman asked.

"It took nine years, but they caught him," Lea replied. "He's currently awaiting trial."

"I didn't realize," Dr. Glassman said. "But still, Shaun has adult responsibilities."

Lea got out her phone.

"Yes," Lea said. "I know. He is responsible. But Max would've died had Shaun not given him his blood. So don't you think Shaun deserves a few days to see his best friend?"

"I guess you're right," Dr. Glassman said.

"Now a Lyft driver is waiting for you outside," Lea said. "Get out of my apartment."

"Uber all the way!" Dr. Glassman shouted as he exited the apartment.

"Lyft is the way to go!" Lea shouted, before shutting the door.