Chapter 7

Claire sat down at a table in the cafeteria eating pancakes. At the next table, Stacy and Amy, two young nurses were talking.

"I finally finished The L Word," Amy said.

"I can't believe we never get to find out who killed Jenny," Stacy said.

"I know," Amy said.

Claire rolled her eyes and continued eating her pancakes.

"I want to talk to you," Shaun said quickly approaching Claire, causing her to gasp.

"Shaun," Claire said. "You need to stop doing that. I almost had a heart attack."

"Sorry," Shaun said. "I want to talk to you."

"Okay," Claire said. "I'm listening."

"Privately," Shaun said.

Claire got up and began to follow Shaun.

"Jenny Schecter was the worst," Amy said.

Shaun walked over to Amy and Stacy.

"I like Jenny," Shaun said. "Though she's mean, she brings humor to the show. Her death made me sad. There's rumor of a reboot season. I hope they bring her back."

Shaun walked off and Amy looked at Stacy.

"Huh," Amy said. "Shaun watches The L Word."

Shaun and Claire went into the doctor's lounge and sat on a couch.

"I went on the date with Betsy last night," Shaun said.

"Tell me all about it," Claire said.

"I wore my suit from the fundraiser," Shaun said. "I also wore cologne. Betsy wore a red dress."

"Tell me about dinner," Claire said.

"We didn't make it to dinner," Shaun said.

"You didn't?" Claire asked.

"I couldn't stop thinking about Lea," Shaun said. "Betsy wore this perfume that smelled like bubblegum. Lea always wore a perfume that smelled like bubblegum. And the car... Betsy drives a Striped Tomato just like Lea. Then she turned on the radio and Islands in the Stream played. That's the song Lea and I sang when we were drunk."

"Maybe you should talk about this with someone else," Claire said.

"You're the only person I'll talk about my feelings with," Shaun said. "I don't like to talk about my feelings with other people. There's something about you that makes me feel comfortable."

"Okay," Claire said.

"All these reminders made me miss Lea more and more," Shaun said. "I told Betsy to stop the car, and I got out and ran home."

"I can't believe you left Betsy alone like that," Claire said.

"She has a car," Shaun said.

"Yes, Shaun," Claire said. "Betsy has a car, but that's not what I mean."

"I thought I was ready to date, but I'm not," Shaun said. "I still love and miss Lea."

"I know you do," Claire said. "But you shouldn't just leave people like that. Imagine how Betsy feels. You left without telling her why. She deserves to know the truth. The way you treated her is not fair."

"I didn't mean to be rude," Shaun said.

"I know," Claire said.

"I will apologize to her tonight," Shaun said.

"Good idea," Claire said.

"Should I build her a bear?" Shaun asked.

"If you want," Claire said.

That night, Shaun knocked on Betsy's door. Betsy opened the door and stood there silently.

"Hello," Shaun said holding up a teddy bear. "I built you this bear."

Betsy took the bear and continued to look at Shaun.

"His name is Sorry Bear," Shaun said. "I thought a little humor would make light of the situation."

Betsy didn't say anything and continued to look at Shaun with an angry look on her face.

"I'm sorry I ran off last night," Shaun said. "You deserve better, and I was rude. I am very sorry."

"Why did you just leave like that?" Betsy asked. "You hurt my feelings."

"I couldn't stop thinking about Lea," Shaun replied.

"Who's Lea?" Betsy asked.

"My girlfriend," Shaun replied.

"You have a girlfriend and you were going on a date with me?!" Betsy shouted.

"Well, it's complicated," Shaun explained. "Lea moved to Pennsylvania."

"Oh," Betsy said. "I'm so sorry."

"She wore bubblegum perfume like you," Shaun said. "You also drive the same type of car as her and like the same songs."

"Really?" Betsy asked. "That's funny."

"I'm really sorry I ran away last night," Shaun said. "I thought I was ready to move on, but I'm just not ready."

"I understand," Betsy said. "I just got out of a relationship. I don't think I'm ready to move on yet either."

"Can we still be friends?" Shaun asked.

"I'd like that," Betsy said.

Shaun gave Betsy a kiss on the cheek and walked to the elevator.

"Good night," Shaun said.

"Good night," Betsy said as Shaun entered the elevator. "And, Shaun…"

"Yes?" Shaun asked.

"Thanks for the bear," Betsy said.

"You're welcome," Shaun said as the elevator doors closed.

Betsy smiled and looked at the bear.

"You don't look like a Sorry Bear," Betsy said. "I think I'll call you Bob."

Shaun exited the elevator and noticed Addison knocking on his door.

"Hello, Addison," Shaun said.

Addison turned around.

"Hello, Shaun," Addison said.

"What brings you here this late?" Shaun asked.

"I actually wanted to speak with you," Addison said. "I'd like to offer you a job at my private practice is Los Angeles."

"Oh," Shaun said surprised.

"You don't have to give me an answer right away," Addison said. "I'll need to know your decision by the end of the week."

"Okay," Shaun said. "Okay."

"I'll see you tomorrow," Addison said.

"Okay," Shaun said.

Addison walked towards the elevator and Shaun entered his apartment. After Shaun locked the door behind him, he walked over to the refrigerator, grabbed an apple, and sat down at his table.

"Huh," Shaun said aloud to himself. "Working in a private practice."

Shaun took a bite out of his apple.