บท 87: Chapter 87
Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas or Hanukkah (happy Newton's day too).
I hope you all have spent these holidays with your loved ones and if not I hope you can meet them soon, maybe for New Year's, either way I send you a big hug.
PS: Sorry for the delay of this chapter, I'm a little sleepless.
Enjoy.
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With the cause of the paralysis identified, all that was left was for the patient to undergo surgery, possibly a couple of days of rehabilitation, and, with a bit of luck, they wouldn't set foot in a hospital again for many years.
House, who was staring intently at the images, had a small but still noticeable smile on his face.
"You're smiling? It's just another day at work," I said quickly, seizing the rare opportunity of House smiling for a reason other than to humiliate someone, recalling what he had told me a few minutes ago.
"Oh, I'm sorry," House said quickly, covering his mouth with exaggerated surprise. "I was just thinking about the face Marty's going to make," he added, grinning maliciously.
Of course, his main intention was to rub his "victory" in the other doctor's face.
"Of course you are," Dr. Foreman declared irritably, shaking his head as he walked out of the room. "I'll go tell the patient the good news."
"Wait, I really want to see his face," House declared with some excitement, quickly following Foreman, trailed closely by Cameron and Chase.
"Aren't you coming, PJ?" Cameron asked, stopping after taking a couple of steps.
"No, I have to be somewhere else," I said, checking my watch and smiling apologetically.
"I see," Cameron replied with a significant smile, raising an eyebrow. "Say hi to Diane for me," she added a moment before leaving to follow the other doctors, who were already far ahead.
Not intending to correct Cameron—because, indeed, where I needed to be at that moment was with Diane—I walked off amused, heading in the opposite direction down the same hallway.
"PJ, honey," after saying goodbye to the nurses at the hospital's reception desk, Nurse Florence, my mother's supervisor, stopped me with a broad smile, as if she had just remembered something.
"Yeah?" I asked, stopping in my tracks and smiling at her.
"I almost forgot," she said, putting a hand to her chin, slightly embarrassed. "Your mom called. She asked me to tell you that you could go straight home. Diane is there," she said, trying to suppress what seemed to be a wide, meaningful smile, raising her eyebrows.
"What?" I asked incredulously. Diane was at my house?
"Diane is at your house. You don't have to pick up your girlfriend," she declared, clasping her hands in front of her chest, causing the rest of the nurses to smile knowingly in unison.
Since when was Diane at my house? Why was she there?
"All right, thanks," I said quickly, nodding, suddenly feeling very nervous at the thought of my mom and Diane in the same room. I walked toward the hospital exit, thanking Florence as I left.
"Don't mention it," I heard Florence, who was laughing with the rest of the nurses, say behind me as I exited quickly.
Keeping within the speed limit—possibly right at the maximum—I drove home, thinking of countless possible bad outcomes of such a sudden interaction between Mom and Diane.
With Diane's social nerves and Mom's surely incessant questions, I was pretty sure Diane would be quite uncomfortable.
When I arrived home and got out of my car, the first thing I saw was Frank, Diane's brother, helping Georgie and Gabe carry chairs to the backyard. It seemed we were having a barbecue, and surely Bob and Mr. Cooper were already preparing the meat and the grill.
"Hey," Georgie, carrying a chair and walking toward me, was the first to notice me. He didn't even try to hide the smug look on his face.
"Hey," I replied absentmindedly, walking quickly toward the house.
"They're not there," Gabe declared, mimicking Georgie's smug expression, just as I reached the front door.
"Thanks," I said, walking quickly—almost running—down the porch stairs toward the Coopers' house.
"PJ," Sheldon, who was watching television in the living room of his house, greeted me when I walked straight into the Coopers' house through their open door without any decorum.
"Hi, Sheldon," I nodded quickly to my young friend as I walked toward the Coopers' kitchen, where I could hear women laughing.
"Diane?" I called out as I entered the kitchen, my tone more concerned than I'd have liked. My voice abruptly interrupted all the laughter and chatter that had been filling the room before my arrival.
I had fully expected to find my mom interrogating Diane while the girl, visibly uncomfortable, answered her questions and wished she were anywhere else.
Instead, I found Diane smiling, visibly comfortable and relaxed, apparently in the middle of a conversation as she helped Teddy and Mrs. Cooper chop vegetables for a salad.
Mom, seated with Missy and Meemaw at the Coopers' small kitchen table, was calmly sipping a drink—Meemaw had a beer, Missy a juice box, and Mom a glass of water.
"Hey," Diane said softly, biting her lip slightly in surprise, her usual nervous tic, while smiling at me like the rest of the women in the room.
"And everyone, hi. I didn't know you were all here," I lied quickly, embarrassed by my sudden entrance. "I just came to grab a soda to help Georgie and the kids with the chairs," I added, trying to think quickly as I walked toward the Coopers' fridge to grab a root beer. Unfortunately, even I knew I hadn't been convincing at all.
"Liar," Meemaw murmured teasingly, taking a sip of her beer.
"L-Y-E-R, liar," Missy muttered, mimicking Meemaw, sipping her juice and earning amused looks from both the older woman and her mom.
"Weren't you going to help with the chairs, PJ?" Mom asked, sitting comfortably and raising an eyebrow.
"Ye-yeah," I stammered, nodding stiffly after a second.
To get to the door leading directly to the Coopers' backyard, I had to walk right through the middle of the room under the amused gazes of all the women.
As I walked, I could feel and see the amused looks every single one of them was giving me—even Mrs. Cooper. Teddy went as far as to "shoo" me out of the room, waving her hands insistently.
When I reached the patio door, I paused for a moment, studying Diane's expression one last time. She seemed to be trying her hardest not to laugh.
"Okay," I murmured uncomfortably, standing under the doorframe. A moment later, I nodded stiffly and stepped out into the backyard.
I hadn't taken more than three steps when I suddenly heard the women's laughter erupt behind me inside the house.
"Hey, champ, I didn't know you were here," Bob said, pleasantly surprised, as I walked from the Coopers' backyard into ours.
"I got here a few minutes ago," I replied, nodding at him in greeting, still lost in thought, surprised that Diane hadn't seemed uncomfortable earlier.
"That's good," Bob said, taking a sip of his beer. "Come on, help us with the meat," he added, nodding toward the grill, where Mr. Cooper was standing with his own beer.
Not long after, everyone from both families, including Sheldon, who was keeping a watchful eye on the sky, was gathered in the backyard with the food already on the table.
Surprisingly, Diane chose, with a small, polite smile, to sit entirely surrounded by the other women of the two families, on the opposite corner of the table from where I was seated.
"What do you think, PJ?" Mr. Cooper suddenly asked from my side of the table, breaking my concentration as I watched Diane engage effortlessly in conversation with my mom and the other women.
"Sorry, about what?" I asked, embarrassed, looking at Mr. Cooper.
"Our chances next season," Mr. Cooper explained easily.
"Oh," I murmured, nodding in gratitude. "I think it's going to be tough. We lost two of our best players."
"Yeah, Brock and Wolff were key," Mr. Cooper agreed thoughtfully, nodding. "But I still think we've got a good chance after that."
With the loss of Alan and Brock and our record last season, we hadn't managed to qualify for the postseason games. Mr. Cooper's words were full of hope, yes, but little else.
"Yeah, we've got a chance," Georgie, sitting next to me, said unconvincingly, avoiding his father's gaze at all costs.
During the last few games we played, Georgie had spent most of the time on the bench. I could see how he was slowly losing interest in the game. We might be losing another player.
Having received the answer to his question, Mr. Cooper immersed himself in a completely different conversation with Bob. Meanwhile, Georgie, Gabe, and Frank were engaged in a debate about a movie involving a bouncer at a Roadhouse.
Sheldon, seated on my other side, had barely touched his food and was still staring at the sky. "Everything okay, Sheldon?" I asked, smiling at the boy.
"I saw a bird a few minutes ago," he responded, clearly concerned.
Amused by my young friend's behavior, I said, "Eat your food. I'll keep watch on the sky for you for a few minutes," patting his shoulder lightly.
"Thanks. My neck was starting to hurt," he said, visibly relieved as he lowered his gaze and rubbed his neck.
"Don't mention it," I said with a chuckle. A moment later, instinctively turning my head for a second to glance at Diane, I caught her staring at me with a small smile.
Smiling back, I shrugged playfully, as Diane had probably overheard my exchange with Sheldon. A moment later, I lifted my head to start my 'bird watch.'
It was clear Diane was making an effort to socialize. It was evident from her reaction whenever our eyes met that she needed to compose herself occasionally. Throughout the time we spent eating in the backyard, we kept exchanging glances. Each time, I took the opportunity to smile reassuringly at her.
Later, after the meal, Georgie, Gabe, and Frank decided to head inside to watch a movie and finally settle their strange debate about Rocky and someone named Dalton. Diane, along with Missy and Teddy, was practically dragged to my sister's room.
Seeing Diane laugh softly at something Missy said on the way to my house—and more so, seeing her actively participate in conversations—filled me with a strange sense of pride and relief.
"I really like her," Mom said loudly the moment Diane was out of sight, now inside the house with Teddy and Missy.
"That's good. I'm glad," I replied, smiling at Mom, amused and unsure of what response she was expecting.
"She's really kind and extremely intelligent," Mom added, nodding seriously.
"And she's pretty, above all," Meemaw chimed in with a meaningful smile.
"Yes, she is," I murmured in agreement, feeling a little uncomfortable as everyone at the table nodded in agreement with Meemaw's words and stared at me with a strange look.
With everyone except Sheldon—who was still suspiciously watching the sky—gazing at me with an odd expression of concern, I progressively felt more uneasy.
"You better treat her very well, PJ. You know how her mother is," Mrs. Cooper, the most serious of the group, said while slightly clenching her jaw.
"Of course he will! I taught him everything he needs to know about girls," Bob declared proudly, though slightly drunk.
"I have more useful advice than you, old man. Come to my office Monday, and I'll tell you all about it," Mr. Cooper quickly quipped, prompting Bob to huff in amusement.
"Anyway, I just want you to know I approve of this relationship," Mom declared magnanimously, lifting her chin slightly after giving Bob a side-eye. Mrs. Cooper mirrored the gesture toward her own husband, who was laughing along with Bob.
Okay… That was my cue to leave.
"Thanks, Mom," I said, unsure how to take her 'approval' as I stood up. "I guess," I added in a murmur. "I'll take these inside," I said, grabbing the plates and cutlery from the table with a stiff smile.
"Thanks, honey," Mom said cheerfully, smiling. "I'll have tea with Mary. Have fun responsibly," she added, raising an eyebrow and emphasizing the last part.
Yes, I definitely needed to leave.
"Since PJ has left the table, I shall also excuse myself," Sheldon abruptly declared, standing up with purpose. "Thanks for the food," he added before heading off toward his house.
Carrying the plates and utensils used during the meal, I quickly entered the house after offering a stiff smile as a goodbye.
Passing behind the three boys watching TV, I found them still arguing.
"Look at that kick! Of course Dalton could beat Rocky," Georgie declared with a furrowed brow, completely serious.
"I don't think so. Rocky's punches are way more explosive," Frank, the twelve-year-old debating with Georgie, countered. He was supported by Gabe, who seemed amused by the situation.
I got it—it was certainly entertaining to watch Georgie argue seriously with a kid.
Ignoring the boys, I continued to the kitchen, catching the loud music coming from Teddy's room, mixed with laughter that filtered through the noise.
After leaving the plates in the sink, I returned to the living room and sat beside Gabe to watch the rest of the movie with the boys—or at least tried to. Georgie kept pausing the movie to point out certain punches or kicks, which Frank quickly and surprisingly articulately countered.
"Wait. You've seen movies?" I asked Frank, surprised.
"Of course. I watch a lot of TV with Hank when Mom's with Diane," the boy answered matter-of-factly.
In a way, Frank's childhood was also rather sad. The boy was essentially ignored by his mother.
"PJ," Teddy's voice called out, snapping me from my thoughts as the music from her room grew louder.
"Yeah?" I asked, slightly turning to see my sister walking toward the door.
"I'm grabbing your music records from your car," Teddy declared casually, taking 'Debbie's' keys from the small table near the door.
"Sure," I said, shrugging and nodding.
With Teddy's door open, my eyes instinctively wandered into her room. To my surprise, they locked onto Diane's. Unlike earlier glances in the backyard, Diane quickly turned her head away, clearly embarrassed, as if trying to "hide" from me.
"Don't peek!" Missy suddenly appeared and slammed the door shut.
At that moment, Teddy re-entered through the front door, carrying a couple of my records.
"You locked my car, right?" I asked as I watched my sister run excitedly toward her room.
"Yes," Teddy replied without paying me any attention as she disappeared into her room.
The movie resumed while laughter and music grew louder from Teddy's room.
At one point, after a good portion of the movie had passed, Teddy's door opened again, releasing the loud music from her room.
"PJ, Diane wants a glass of water," Teddy declared with a laugh before the door slammed shut again.
Diane, standing just outside Teddy's room, simply stood with her head down, rocking on her feet.
"Okay," I said slowly as I stood up. "Come on, Diane," I said, trying to see her face, but she continued avoiding my gaze, leaving me puzzled by the sudden situation.
Walking behind me, Diane kept her head down, avoiding eye contact.
"Are you okay, Diane?" I asked, concerned, once we were in the kitchen.
"Yeah, sorry," she nodded, still avoiding facing me completely, sounding embarrassed.
"What's wrong?" I asked nervously, gently taking her arm.
Had she fought with Teddy? No, they were laughing just a minute ago.
"Nothing," Diane said, "jsut..." seemingly gathering her courage. She nodded firmly and raised her head.
"Wha—" I immediately noticed what was going on. Diane had a thin layer of makeup on her face. It was surprising and new but not bad at all.
I knew Diane well enough to have her face memorized. Her lashes were now much curlier, there was a barely visible blush on her cheeks, and her lips were a deeper pink than usual. Somehow, she seemed to glow as she kept her eyes locked on mine.
"What do you think?" Diane asked nervously, clasping her hands in front of her as she rocked slightly on her feet.
"You look... beautiful," I said quickly, realizing I had been silent, captivated by her appearance. "Like you always do," I added slowly, still lost in Diane's now strangely larger eyes.
"Thanks. You don't look bad yourself," Diane replied, smiling as she gently bit her lip—a habit she had whenever she tried not to smile too much. She placed a hand on my arm, clearly proud of her little joke.
Laughing incredulously at how much Diane had changed, I shook my head slightly. "Thanks, I do what I can," I replied.
Along with my words, Diane and I stood in a comfortable silence within the kitchen. Feeling her cold hand on my arm and seeing her beautiful but small smile, I found myself thinking about wanting to see her like this for the rest of my life. Embarrassed with myself, I lowered my gaze slightly.
I might been just a little in love with Diane.
"PJ—" Diane began nervously, "Diane—" I said at the same time.
"Sorry, you first," Diane quickly said with a soft laugh.
"No—" I started to say when I was interrupted again.
"The baby is coming!" Bob shouted nervously from outside the kitchen.
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Author Thoughts:
As always, I'm not American, not a doctor, not a fighter, not Magnus Carlsen and not Michael Phelps.
Another chapter has passed, so new thanks are in order. I would like to especially thank:
11332223
RandomPasserby96
Victor_Venegas
The top has changed, with that said,
I think that's all. As always, if you find any errors, please let me know, and I'll correct them immediately.
Thank you for reading! :D
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