Potions of Love 2
Chapter 6 - January 2023
Rick arrived at Kate's promptly at 7:00 am, meeting her at her front door and greeting her with a loving morning kiss before walking her back to his Jeep. The two enjoyed a quiet breakfast at the Gonda building, with Rick saying that the meal was good, but it didn't hold a candle to the fantastic brunch Kate had created the previous morning.
With their meetings beginning at 8:30 and 9:00 am, the two kept one eye on the clock as they enjoyed their early morning time with each other. Both agreed they would meet in the library after their day of meetings and classes and enjoy dinner together at Kate's, followed by Rick spending the night because Tuesday morning would start with their first shared half-day lab.
They rode the elevator together to the top floor of the building, sharing a couple of kisses before the doors opened. They wished each other well and headed to their advisor meetings.
Rick and Kate received surprising news during their Advisor meetings and were anxious to share details when they met later.
The couple's timing turned out great as they both entered the library within minutes of one another and wasted no time, hurrying out to the privacy of Rick's Jeep so they could talk. Once inside the Jeep, Rick turned the heater on high and let his head fall back against the headrest. Kate immediately sensed her boyfriend's stress, so she remained quiet, waiting for Rick to talk.
Finally, Rick looked at Kate and smiled, asking, "Would it be okay if we hold off on sharing the outcomes from our meetings until we get to your place? I could use a beer?"
Surprised by Rick's request, Kate responded, "Of course, and reached over to squeeze his knee as he guided this vehicle out of the parking lot and silently drove to Kate's. Once inside Kate's home, they hung their coats and dropped their bags on the floor at the end of the couch.
Kate stretched up, kissing Rick, saying, "Go ahead and get comfortable, and I'll get us both a beer."
Kate paused as she rounded the corner of the kitchen to join Rick when she noticed he was sitting with his eyes closed, leaning against the back cushion of the sofa.
As Kate sat down next to Rick, their legs were touching; she handed him a beer and again squeezed his knee before asking, "Rick, what's going on?"
Rick let his arm fall across Kate's shoulders as he pulled her closer, taking a long draw from his beer before setting the bottle on the coaster on the nearby end table. Rick then took a deep breath and began, "I'm overwhelmed by the opportunity that my Advisor presented for my Pharmacy program for next Semester."
Kate remained quiet, giving Rick the time to process his thoughts and share what occurred during his meeting with Mr. Mason.
After sharing the quiet for several minutes, Rick again pulled Kate close, kissing her temple as he began to try and share the new direction his advisor suggested he follow for the remainder of his undergraduate work in the Pharmacy program at Mayo.
"First, I have been pre-approved for a modified PGY-1 program that will begin in June or July. It's usually an intense ten-month program that focuses on administration and leadership. But this newly revised course will run for only eight months with the added focus on recognizing and searching out drug abuse in the pharmaceutical field."
Rick paused, taking several additional sips of his beer, and continued, "Mr. Mason shared some confidential facts that relate directly to Mayo Clinic's Pharmacy program, so what I am about to say must stay between us. I told Mr. Mason about our relationship and said there was no way I could consider working on such a specialized program without you and I being on the same page. Especially if this carries on beyond my 4th year in the program."
Sitting stunned by what Rick has shared so far, Kate nods, saying, "Of course, Babe. Anything you share stays between us. I would never do anything to break your confidence or trust in me."
"I know, Kate. I have no doubts. I have to be able to tell Mason that we had this talk."
After taking short restroom breaks, the two returned to their places on the couch as Rick tried to explain what could lay ahead if he chose to be a part of this new course of study.
"I'll try to recap the highlights, for now, from what Mr. Mason shared with me. It appears that Mayo Clinic sits near one of the primary corridors for the north-south drug trade. And unfortunately, the Cartels are taking a more active role in the trafficking of drugs between Mexico and Canada as they run through the Midwest."
Rick shared that a crucial part of this new program would include developing a direct relationship with law enforcement in Rochester and Minneapolis/St. Paul areas. DEA and other law enforcement leaders would assist in training those in the program to recognize Fentanyl abuse in the pharmaceutical field specifically. It seems that no entity is untouched by the Cartels that are getting a foothold on drug trafficking across the US.
Taking a deep breath, Rick continued, "Kate, it appears there is a strong possibility that some of our Pharmacy students have been drawn into the Cartel's inner workings and are aiding in the movement of some of the deadly drugs on and around our campus."
A dark cloud immediately settles over the two lovers, and Kate grabs Rick's hand, asking, "Rick, wouldn't this new program put you in danger? If any students get wind that you are working with authorities, couldn't you become a target?"
Rick lowered his head, returning Kate's grip, saying, "Love, that's why I couldn't answer Mr. Mason today. I've asked him to give me a couple of months to think about this and learn more about the nuances that will be a part of the program. It's still so new, and the full course guidance and pieces of the training have not been finalized. It's one thing to learn more about recognizing drug abuse and trafficking but to be in a position where I would have to pinpoint a fellow student as a player. None of that sits well with me."
Kate cannot comment at this point and instead draws Rick's hand to her heart as her mind spins with what she has just learned about her boyfriend's possible future.
Rick senses his lover's stress and draws his hand from her grip, so he can wrap both arms around her and pull her into his lap, keeping her as close as possible as they process what he has just shared.
Rick is unaware that Mr. Mason has yet to share all the details regarding the new program with him. Such as the fact that Todd, Lanie's new boyfriend, is an undercover DEA agent who has been working with the Minneapolis/St. Paul Police Departments and recently been loaned out to Rochester PD since they noticed increased drug activity on the Mayo Clinic campus.
After sharing several more minutes of quiet, Rick leans back and says, "Enough about my situation for now. Please tell me how your meeting went with Miss O'Neil."
Kate slips off Rick's lap, tries to regroup her thoughts, and begins explaining the information Miss O'Neil had shared with her earlier.
"Well, from all initial signs, things are looking good for my acceptance into the extended program. Miss O'Neil received my application and has shared it with the review team. I guess they had some initial questions that Miss O'Neil fielded, and now we're in wait mode, but from those first conversations, she feels confident that I'll be accepted. She would like me to add one more course to my class load for this semester, but it only meets twice a month, so hopefully, it won't throw me into overload," shared Kate as she sat, still concerned about Rick's possible course changes.
Rick sensed that Kate wasn't as enthused about her extended program as she was earlier and knows it's because of what he is facing in his future. He pulls her in for a hug and tries to encourage her by adding,
"Kate, that is excellent news. You thought you'd have to wait a few weeks before receiving feedback on your application. So knowing Miss O'Neil has interacted with the review committee on your behalf is terrific news."
Kate was still quiet and only nodded in agreement.
Rick felt terrible that the potential change in his course plan was impacting Kate in this negative manner.
"Babe," using the moniker that Kate calls him. "Please don't let my course plans diminish your excitement for the new potential direction for your neurology program. Acceptance into this program is huge, and its potential may open so many doors for you and help you move into the areas of study that are so dear to your heart. Areas where you'll be able to work and hopefully ensure that what happened to Allison doesn't happen again. It's fantastic news."
Kate cracked a small smile as she rested her head on Rick's shoulder, holding his hand as she wrestled with the myriad of feelings she was experiencing.
Taking a moment to change the subject, Kate looked into Rick's eyes, saying, "You called me Babe."
Rick returned Kate's smile, saying, "It feels right. Love is a good nickname, but I like Babe. It gives me an indescribable sense of being yours. I want to share those same feelings with you. Is that okay?"
"Rick, of course, it's okay. It's more than okay! I love you so much," said Kate as she leaned in to share a sweet and loving kiss with the man whose fast becoming one of the most important people in her life.
"Thanks for all of the encouragement. And yes, I am very excited about the potential changes in my program, and Miss O'Neil thinks I may hear back from the review committee by mid-February."
"For now, I'm getting hungry. What do you think about ordering pizza and relaxing for the rest of the evening?" suggested Rick.
"Sounds good to me. You call in an order, and I'll find us a bottle of wine," said Kate as she gave Rick another kiss and headed back toward the kitchen.
After their pizza arrived and Rick and Kate enjoyed their meal, they discussed their plans for Tuesday evening meetings with their friends.
Rick also suggested, "Kate, I know we are working out our plans, but what would you think about us planning to be together on Monday and Wednesday nights since we have our shared labs on Tuesdays and Thursdays? We could take turns staying at one another's homes and know we have a couple of days of the week figured out unless we have some unexpected changes pop up in our schedules."
"That sounds great to me, and then we can play our weekends and other days by ear depending on our study workloads and other things that seem to pop up. I love it," said Kate as she ran her foot up and down Rick's leg, giving him one of her sexy smiles.
Rick and Kate's first Tuesday morning routine seems to be working well.
They woke up on time, and after exercising immense self-control, they arrived at the Med/Science building at 8:15 am. They shared a few private moments before entering the building, joining several other students in their lecture hall for their half-day lab.
Upon entering the large room, both immediately noticed that their lab partners from last semester, Mike and Emily, were also in attendance. Emily spotted the couple and stood, anxiously waving and motioning for Kate to join her. Kate looked at Rick, who smiled, nodded, and turned to cross the room and join Mike at his table.
Kate would have preferred having Rick as her lab partner this semester, but she was also happy to see Emily. So she and Rick had silently agreed to a change in plans and moved to greet their former classmates.
Tuesday's lab schedule freed up time so the couple could share a quick lunch before separating for their afternoon classes.
Kate had two classes in the afternoon, and Rick had only one, so they planned to meet again in the library after Kate's second class, and Rick would give her a ride home before the two prepared for their anticipated evening with their friends.
Rick pulled up in front of Kate's house, turned off the Jeep, and walked her to her door before kissing her goodbye and wishing her good luck with her girlfriends. Both laughed as they recalled their earlier conversations about how they anticipated their evenings might proceed with their friends.
"Text me when you get home, and if it isn't too late, maybe we can debrief each other about our evenings. I hope your plan with Lanie works out and you don't get drilled too much about our relationship," laughed Rick.
Kate returned the sentiment saying, "Well, I hope the guys understand that there are no more of their so-called adventures in your life, Mister."
Rick pulled Kate in for another kiss before answering, "Oh, there are no worries about that happening. I may join them for beers and poker games, but those d**m adventures are over for me."
"Wise decision, Pharmacy Man, because you are mine, and I don't want them thinking they can use you as man bait for their efforts to attract girls."
Rick laughed and said, "The same goes for you, Harley Chick. No more hanging out at those clubs where the guys work for singles."
Before separating for the night, the two clung to one another, agreeing to call each other in the morning before they headed back to school for a day of separate classes.