Chapter 715: Hermosa Beach
Friday, March 17th, Evening
She sat on the lounge chair and leaned back, looking over the rail over Hermosa Beach toward the Pacific Ocean. Sighing, she pushed back her brown hair and turned around to look over the roof deck. She saw two of her roommates walking over to her. She adjusted her bikini as her roommates arrived at her lounge.
One slipped off her wrap to show she wore a bikini and took up a lounge beside her. Candi stretched out and removed her sunglasses. She looked over to the other roommate. That roommate poured three glasses of wine and handed them out.
"Thank you," Candi said, taking the glass of wine.
"Thanks," Dr. Madyson Longford, MD, said from the lounge beside Candi.
"You're welcome," Dr. Fawn Cabot, MD, said as she sat down on the other side of Candi.
"Happy Saint Patrick's Day," Madyson said.
"I guess," Candi said.
"You don't celebrate?" Madyson asked.
"Not Irish; my family is from Scotland," Candi said.
"I thought you said you were Scots-Irish," Fawn said.
"It's suspected, but we are supposedly descended from the Scotts of Buccleuch," Candi said.
"Yeah," Fawn said.
"So, what's the word?" Madyson said.
"What word are you looking for, Mads?" Candi asked.
"Your dad," Madyson said, her accent bright and clear.
"Yeah, Candi, how is he doing?" Fawn asked.
Candi shrugged, "His health had gotten worse, as has his condition. I'm flying out next week to help him through the surgery," she said.
"Are you sure about that?" Fawn asked.
"They encouraged it at work; they wanted me to use up more back vacation time," Candi said.
"What about your program?" Madyson asked.
"They're good with it. Especially since my dad's issues are heart-related," Candi said.
Fawn sipped her wine. "So, how are you feeling?" she asked.
Candi shrugged, "I knew he was going to have the surgery. It getting worse at the current speed was the unexpected part,," she said.
Madyson nodded, "He was trying to put off until the end of the school year?" she asked.
Candi nodded, "Yeah, wanted to keep the some consistently in his classes," she said.
"That's honorable, but he shouldn't put his health at risk," Madyson said.
"I've told him that," Candi said.
"How much of his deterioration was because of the championship run?" Fawn asked.
Candi sighed, "That's a strong possibility," she said.
"What did he say about you coming out?" Fawn asked.
"He didn't want me to come out," Candi said, "But that's typical doesn't want me to turn my life over."
"Hell, I'll go if I get to stay in Beaulieu again," Madyson said.
"Mads, is that all you remember about visiting Tree Hill is Beaulieu?" Fawn asked.
"It certainly made an impression," Madyson said.
Candi nodded, "Yes, that's my Aunt Brooke," she said.
"So, what else is on your mind?" Fawn asked.
"Why do you ask that?" Candi asked.
"We've known each other how long?" Fawn asked.
"True," Candi said.
"So, what is on your mind?" Fawn asked.
"Keith should be home soon, and I'm worried he would be changed," Candi said.
"After a year over there, I won't be surprised," Madyson said.
Candi nodded, "Izzy mentioned Keith was directly involved with the border clash," she said.
"How do you know?" Fawn asked.
"The man killed is normally Keith's tank commander," Candi said.
"Are you sure, Candi?" Madyson asked, "My cousin is in the army back home and says the Abrams is a tough tank."
"Yeah, not much; I'm not worried about him physically, more mentally," Candi said.
Fawn nodded and finished her wine.
"Have you considered where you are going when you finish your program?" Madyson asked.
Candi shrugged, "I figure to find a hospital somewhere, hopefully stay in California," she said.
"Why California? Why not return home?" Madyson asked.
"Home is where you hang your hat," Candi said.
"You have no family out here," Madyson said.
Candi shrugged, "I'll worry about it when it comes time," she said.
"Have you always drifted through life?" Madyson asked.
"No, I've focused on the tasks I need to get done to reach my goal," Candi said.
"But," Madyson said.
"My first goal is to get my dad back to being healthy; my next goal is to finish my program. Finally, get a job," Candi said.
"Is it that simple?" Madyson asked.
"Life is simple; we make it difficult," Candi said,
"Candi has a point there," Fawn said, "Our heads get into our way, screw our shit up."
"Fawn the philosopher," Madyson said.
"Fawn minored in philosophy," Candi said.
"You did?" Madyson asked.
"Yeah, I can mind fuck you without even trying," Fawn said.
"Is that true?" Madyson asked.
"You even asking proves I've done it already," Fawn said.
Candi sat up, turned, and looked over the beach and ocean.
"Is it true you got paired with Brendan Lyndon for Dani's wedding?" Madyson asked.
Candi sipped at her wine. "Yeah," she said.
"So, did you talk to Doctor Ackerman about your next steps?" Fawn asked.
"Yes," Candi said.
"How about your dad?" Fawn asked.
"I reviewed his file with Doctor Ackerman, and he suggested I fly out to be with my dad," Candi said.
"What's on your mind, Candi?" Madyson asked.
"Why did Dani put me with Doctor Lyndon?" Candi said.
"I don't know," Madyson said.
"Yeah," Candi sighed, watched the waves lap the beach, and sipped her wine.
Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I will be going on hiatus until 8/7/23