Chapter 154: Beach House
Wednesday, January 11th, Late Morning
Even on her day off, she got up early. It's as much a habit as anything else. She never needed a lot of sleep and couldn't stand to lay around once awake. She dressed in her running gear and headed out to The Strand. It didn't matter the weather or the time of year, on her run days, she ran.
Once she got back home from her run, she retreated to her private bathroom, locking the bedroom door behind her, and showered. Since it was her day off, she changed into comfortable clothes, a worn faded Duke University cotton basketball shorts, and a black crop top that had a faded graphic on it saying Mental Lapse. Without a second thought, Candi headed downstairs. Her bare feet were enjoying the textures of the different floors underneath and not being confined to shoes. When she reached the open concept kitchen/family room/dining room, she stared at the breakfast bar, trying to figure out her next move.
"Trying to figure out brekky?" a female voice, with an Australia accent, asked, from behind her. This voice caused Candi to jump, and she turned around to see a five-foot nine-and-a-half-inch tall woman, still dressed for bed, lounge shorts and a baggy tee-shirt that just said Bad Seed on it. This woman's dark brown hair is pulled back in a low ponytail.
Candi rested her hand on her chest. She cursed herself for letting this person sneak up on her. Next, she sighed and playfully hit Doctor Madyson Longford, MD, on the shoulder. "Mads, you scared the shit out of me," Candi said.
Madyson laughed, "Good; I very rarely get to take the piss out of you," she said.
Candi shook her head, "Yes, I was trying to figure out what I wanted for breakfast," Candi said, emphasizing breakfast over Madyson's slang.
"Well, at least you're up," Madyson said.
"Why?" Candi asked, "I'm always up this early on my days off."
"You can cook," Madyson said, with a laugh, but it was a sad truth.
Candi laughed along, "Gee, thanks," she said.
"Hell, Candi, you're in awesome shape, have a great bod, a doctor, and can cook, if you were a bloke, I'd marry you. Or at least hook up with you," Madyson said, teasing.
"That's creepy, Mads," Candi said. Sadly, she's been approached by lesbians before, she knew Madyson wasn't one, but still. It was creepy to hear from a friend.
"Not really, so what are you making?" Madyson asked.
"I don't know, maybe eggs and toast," Candi said.
"Maybe, Bacon?" Madyson asked, "I love American Bacon, and I know it's bad for you, but it tastes so good."
"We'll see," Candi said and headed to the pantry. Madyson went over to the island and sat down.
Candi left the pantry and went to the refrigerator for eggs, and see what else they had. After she collected the stuff she needed, she went to the stove. After a few moments, she had breakfast going along.
"So, what are you planning to do today?" Madyson asked.
"I don't know; I was thinking of heading off to the basketball courts for a bit, do some laundry, and who knows what else," Candi said.
"Laundry, really?" Madyson asked.
"I need clean underwear, I don't like going commando like some people," Candi said.
Madyson blushed, "It's comfortable, and things fit so much better," Madyson said.
"Each their own, I still need to do laundry," Candi said.
"Good, as long as you don't head into work today," Madyson said.
Candi canted her head, "What do you mean by that?" she asked.
"Look," Madyson said, "Dani, called and told me they're worried you're getting emotionally attached to a patient."
Candi stopped and turned around, "Mads, you knew I was bringing James to visit him, and you agreed it was a good idea," she said.
"It was, and still is," Madyson said, "I told Dani as much. They're just concerned, and Candi, you're a great Doctor. On the cases we've worked together on, I've seen that. Just don't burn yourself out."
"I won't," Candi said.
"Good," Madyson said.
"Yeah, did they send you because your accent would soften the blow?" Candi asked.
"That would be an English accent; I'm from Melbourne, I tell it how it is," Madyson said.
"Morning, is Candi cooking?" Fawn asked as she entered the kitchen/family room/dining room. Fawn still dressed for bed, in cropped sweat pants, and a black tank top. Her dark brown hair worn down.
"Yes," Madyson said.
"Candi, what are we having?" Fawn asked.
"Eggs, toast and hopefully bacon," Madyson said.
"American Bacon?" Fawn asked.
"Yes," Candi said.
"Well, can I get in on that action?" Fawn asked.
"Sure," Candi said, laconically.
Fawn took a seat next to Madyson. "So, what are we talking about?" she asked.
"Nothing of concern," Candi said.
"Is this about the nurses at work?" Fawn asked.
Madyson held up her hand, "Look; I didn't tell her," she said.
Candi sighed and turned to the two other women. She shook her head and turned back to the stove and started preparing to make another set of eggs.
"I see we hit the bull's eye," Fawn said.
"Fawn, don't make her go off," Madyson said, "She'll ruin brekky."
"I'm not," Fawn said.
Candi turned back around, "Did Dani call you to, Fawn?" she asked.
"She did, and she's concerned," Fawn said.
"What's the issue, Fawn?" Candi asked as she turned back around.
"I don't have one," Fawn said, "I just wanted to know what you two were talking about."
"That's what we're talking about," Candi said, "Also, Doctor Hagberg is making me take a week off."
"It wasn't the only thing we were talking about," Madyson said.
"Suspended?" Fawn asked.
Candi shook her head, "No," she said, "She wants me to use my time to avoid burn out."
"So, what are you doing and when?" Madyson asked.
"The week of the thirtieth," Candi said.
"Are you going to spend the week in thongs and bathers?" Madyson asked.
"No," Candi said, as she finished up and started to make up three plates.
"So, what'cha doing?" Fawn asked.
"I'm heading home," Candi said.
"Why?" Fawn asked.
Candi shrugged, "James asked me to go to this thing for my Dad."
"Wouldn't you normally do it, since it's your dad?" Madyson asked.
"There's more to it; he wants me to check on his wife's mental health," Candi said.
"So, you're heading back to Tree Hill?" Fawn asked.
"I'd like to check that out, I've never seen the Atlantic Ocean," Madyson said.
"There's not much to see," Candi said.
"I can arrange for time off if you need support," Fawn said.
"I'm not going to the prison," Candi said.
"The prison?" Madyson asked.
"Long story," Candi and Fawn said at the same time.
"Sure," Madyson said,
Candi shook her head, "Do you two want to come along with me?" she asked, "Is that what y'all are hinting at?"
"Sure, I'd love to come along," Fawn said, "I enjoyed my last trip out there."
"As I said, I've never seen the Atlantic Ocean," Madyson said.
Candi shook her head, finished the breakfast plates, and turned around to hand them out. She took a seat along the island as Fawn got up to fetch a cup of coffee.
"Are you ashamed of your hometown?" Madyson asked.
"No, why do you ask?" Candi asked.
"You don't head back or ask people to go with you," Madyson said.
Candi shook her head, "It's not that, my family is just a lot to handle," she said.
Fawn came back to the island. She returned to her seat and looked over to Madyson and Candi. The two other women looked at Fawn. "What?" Fawn asked.
"Fawn, you went to Tree Hill with Candi. Why?" Madyson asked.
"Because Candi asked me to," Fawn said.
Madyson turned to Candi, "Why did you ask Fawn?" she asked.
"Because I wanted to," Candi said.
"So, can I go with you?" Madyson said.
"If you two can get time off, I'll see what I could do," Candi said.
Fawn shrugged, "I'll see if I can," she said.
"Road trip?" Madyson asked.
Candi shrugged, "I guess we can call it a road trip," she said.
"I'm in if I could get the time," Madyson said.
"Just remember, it's Winter and on the coast, so be prepared for cold and wind," Candi said.
"Sure," Fawn said, "And I was there in January with you before."
"Alright," Madyson said, "What do I need?"
"Okay," Candi said and looked at Madyson, "I'll send you a list."
"Thanks," Madyson said.
"Welcome," Candi said.
"So, Candi?" Madyson asked.
"Yes, Mads?" Candi asked.
"So, what are your plans for the rest of the day?" Madyson asked.
Candi laughed and shook her head.
