Abroad Liberty

Turning Tables

December 6, 2025
Rochester, New York:

Kyle goes running up and down the hospital, everyone knows is that time of year where nothing can get him in a bad mood, his coworkers bring in decorations, everyone has to, to him, the hospital needs to feel like a winter wonderland, especially the peds floor and all of its units. Due to that, there is no single place of peds that doesn't feel cheerful and beautiful, for if one thing gets children feeling better is the holiday spirit and Kyle always makes sure to deliver.

The next morning he comes in with doctor Melton, they are carrying a nine feet tall Christmas tree, the biggest they've ever brought in. Every single staff member from peds pitched in to buy the tree, Kyle is always the one who goes and buys it, ever since he arrived, he does that, first, it was in the ER and it used to be the prettiest tree in the hole hospital, now peds was winning, they even started a Christmas tree competition the department with the prettiest tree received an extra 100$ in bonus that year, for three years peds had won, and this year was not about to be the exception.

Lights hanged everywhere, the smell of fresh-baked cookies took over the floor, everyone was happy, songs would take over the floor, it was magical, the central park couldn't even compare, Kyle's Christmas was the best, they always were.

A couple of days later, Melton arrived at Kyles's place, he had some news to share, Kyle lets him in, he enters and sits "So, how are you feeling about this year's Christmas tree competition?"

Kyle gives an evil genius laugh as he pours Melton some water "Bitch please as if that was something to worry about"

Melton extends his hand and grabs the glass cup "Don't be cocky, rumor has it Samantha is going for the win this year with vengeance in her mind" Kyle sniffs and rolls his eyes "Ugh, don't even talk about it, I already have enough with all this drama to lose my competition to her as well"

"I understand how you feel when it comes to it, but you also have to understand how they must be feeling" Melton replies with a careful tone

"I understand where they're coming from, but they just decided to make a big fuss out of it and I have more important things to worry about than their opinions about what I choose to do with my personal life"

"Well, on that note, of personal life's and all, I need to tell you something, and I need you to promise me you won't judge me or get angry at me"

Melton pulls out his pinky and shoves it into Kyle's face "I promise" Kyle says with his fingers crossed on the back of his hand

"I got an offer made in Atlanta for my fellowship, I am taking it and I want you to come with me."

Kyle choked on his water "Wait, are you crazy?" "Kyle you said you wouldn't judge" Melton stares at him

"Yeah well I lied, what do you mean your moving, you're in the middle of your senior year of residency, how are you going to pack and go just like that?" Kyle replied with water dripping on his shirt

"I know it's a lot to process, but the chief agrees that this is what is best for me and my education, and I believe it could be beneficial for you as well."

"Melton, how could it be beneficial for my education? I'm still in the middle of my masters, and even then my doctorate is light-years away, I'm don't want to be rude, I know you're coming from a genuine place, but, it's a little bold of you to assume I would just pack and go like that"

"Kyle come on, think about it, we could become the bests in our field."

"No, you could become the best at YOUR field, my field is different, I'm not a doctor, I'm a nurse and I'm so close to finishing my masters, and then I have my doctorate, I'm not about to drop everything because YOU want me to. My life is great, bit messy at the moment but aside from that, I have achieved everything I set out to do and I still have more I want, but it's not in Atlanta that I want it to happen"

"Ok, I understand that, I just thought it would be a good idea."

"Well, you thought wrong, but for what it's worth, good luck in your new adventure, I hope is everything you expect and more," Kyle said with a touch of bitterness in his voice

Kyle stands by his island as Melton is about to exit his apartment when he turns around to look at him before exiting, Kyle looks away. As Melton goes to close the door behind him Kyle rushes to it

"Wait, before you go, let's, let's have a drink, god knows I'll miss you, and it saddens me that you would leave just like that, but still, I know you will go and kick some ass like I've taught you to, even if it means I'm left alone."

Melton's face lights up and he enters once again

"I will, and I promise I'll come to visit every chance I get or fly you out whenever you can, I just feel like Heartland has already done what it could in terms of my education and now it's time for me to fly"

"I understand, I made the same choice five years ago, it was hard, but I don't regret it and hey, who says you can't come back once you finish your fellowship"

"Exactly"

Kyle goes to the kitchen grabs the ingredients and starts mixing some mojitos and once ready the two of them sit down on the couch while they sip down their drink. After their done, Melton stands up and they hug it out.

The next morning Kyle goes to work, Melton was already gone, he packed and left in just a couple of hours. Still surprised, he goes down to the ER where a big emergency waited for him.

Four years later

December 8, 2029
Rochester, New York:

Dr. Melton is still in the ICU, Kyle and Dr. Ramney sit still in the waiting room, only one person is allowed to visit at the time, and since his family arrived six days ago, they're all there, for him and with him.

Once Kyle gets the chance he goes in, he sits by Andrew's side holding his hand. Every time he visits he talks to him and so he continues telling him old stories from his childhood trying to see a reaction and hide his own emotions, but deep down, Kyle feels scared, the anguish of losing a close friend was something he was not prepared to go through.
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Ramney's afterwords for this chapter

"New beginnings can come as both a scare and a blessing. The thought of being scared grounds us and reminds us of how little we truly know and control. To feel the blessing is to know that no matter how scared one may be, we can always find comfort in knowing that despite those feelings we tried, and for it, now we can move on"
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*Melton has left Heartland Hospital in search of a better future just as Kyle did back in the day. What will he do once he returns? And how will things be moving forward?*

Continue reading chapter eleven of
🗽Abroad Liberty🗽
To find out