Looking at you side ways

14

Meredith arrived home an hour later.[i] She felt a little better. She had one drink and had met an interesting guy from Australia that she had actually given her number to. He was in his final year of Vetenariay School. She didn't normally give her number out, but tonight[/i] she thought, [i]why the hell not? It seemed like everyone was having a good time, but her. [/i]

She opened the front door and was hit with a wonderful smell and realized she was starving.[i] Derek must have made lasagna. Probably trying to butter her up, [/i]she thought. She hung up her jacket and glanced around. [i]Somebody was busy. The floor was spotless and the furniture gleamed. [/i]She walked toward the kitchen and glanced around. [i]All the trash was gone and everything was back in place. Derek was taking the lasagna out of the oven and Mark was folding laundry.[/i]

Derek sensed her when she came into the kitchen. He sat the lasagna on top of the stove to cool a little and cocked his head at her.

"Welcome home Meredith." Derek said.

Mark looked up and said, "Yeah, Mer. Welcome home."

"Hi." Meredith said softy.

Mark took the initiative and said, "Look Princess. We are really sorry about the party. I know it got out of control and it won't happen again. I thought Derek would tell you about it, but he couldn't reach you."

"Hey, I told you specifically before the party that it was too big and to run it by Meredith." Derek glared at Mark.

"Okay. It was 90 % me. But, we have cleaned the place up and everything in back in order. Derek went shopping and cooked for you and I cleaned and we both did laundry."

"Okay." Said Meredith as she got a glass of water.

"Meredith? Are you sure you are okay with it?" Asked Derek.

"Yeah. I am just tired. I think I am going to go to bed." Meredith sat the glass down and turned to leave. Derek touched her shoulder and he saw the pain in her eyes.

"Meredith please? Aren't you hungry? I made your favorite and it's ready to eat. There is salad and the garlic bread should be ready soon."

"Yeah Mer. Sit down and have dinner with us. We also have Mom's cookies, and we got you cheesecake and flowers too. Look." Mark pointed at the vase of flowers on the table.

Meredith was hungry and while she contemplated about staying, Mark held the chair out for her.[i] She knew they were going all out to get back on her good side. [/i]Derek pulled out a bottle of wine and she sighed and sat down. [i]Well,[/i] she thought.[i] She did have to eat. And Derek's lasagna was the best she had ever had.[/i]

Derek served her and they told her about their day. She didn't say much.[i] She was tired and saddened. She was thinking about her mothers words, the little girl who died and about...[/i]

Derek interrupered her thoughts. "Meredith; I heard about your patient last night. I am so sorry. It's always bad when we lose a patient, but a small child? It's so much worse."

Meredith brought her napkin to her lips and just mumbled, "Yeah it is."

Derek sensed she didn't want to talk about the patient, so he asked, "What did you do today Meredith?"

"I rode the ferry for a while and then I went to Joe's."

Mark took a second helping of everything and asked, "Where did you take the ferry to?"

"No where. I just like being on the water. I just rode it for hours."

"Really? Why do you like it so much?" Asked Derek as he got up and got out the cookies and cheesecake.