ICU TOO

Chapter Nine

Memphis, TN

Devale

"Welcome back to work." Brian said meeting me in the hallway.

"I'm getting a divorce." I finally blurt out.

Brian turned to me and nodded his head. "Okay." He mumbled.

I take a deep breath and grin. "I've been waiting to tell somebody that. It feels like I'm a big bubble about to pop." I tell my friend.

"I thought you were fixing things." Brian told me.

"Yeah me too."

Crystal and I haven't been on the same page since the day we hooked up. It's like she has nothing to say to me. I just think it's childish of her not to communicate her feelings. In the past it used to be me with the bad communication, now the tables have turned. I just don't know how long she think I'm supposed to chase her.

I can't just leave Memphis as much as I want to. I have a residency here. Plus, there's nothing in Chicago but chaos and drama. Unfortunately, it's following me here to Memphis. This is supposed to be my safe haven. Here with my wife and my son.

"Let me ask you something man," Brian said as we stopped at the nurses desk. "Do you want a divorce?" He asked me.

"No man of course not." I said shaking my head. "But if my spouse doesn't want to fight for our relationship I'm damn sure not finna do it by myself." I tell Brian.

He breathed out and nodded my head. "I know how you feel man." He said. "Speaking of the devil." He said pointing behind me.

I turn around and see Crystal approaching us.

"Good morning bab--"

"Dr. Ellis can you feel this out for the patients in 304 and 307." Crystal said ignoring my presence.

"Dr. Ellis?" I ask looking around.

Brian chuckled as he made his way behind the desk.

"Crystal don't make me embarrass you at work." I said leaning on the counter.

"Can you sign these please? I'm on a tight schedule." Crystal said moving her hair.

"You look beautiful today. I would've told you that earlier but we didn't wake up next to each other in the same bed like normal married couples do." I say lowly.

"Well we're not a normal married couple." Crystal murmured.

"What are we then?" I ask making her go silent. "Huh? What the fuck are we doing?" I ask quietly.

Crystal put her hand out, "Devale I'm not doing this right now." She said before walking away.

I grabbed the papers she needed me to sign and followed her down the hallway. People started looking at us, so I put on a fake smile. I didn't want it to be too obvious that we were fighting.

"Baby talk to me." I said following her to a ducked off corner in the hallway.

"Devale I don't wanna talk!" She said becoming frustrated.

I grabbed her hand and squeezed it a little bit.

"You never do this. Yell at me or something. Let me know you you still care." I say looking into her eyes.

Our eye contact lasted for about one minute before Crystal looked away, down at our hands. She let go of me and walked away without saying.

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