Attending At Twenty-Four

VII. Good Company

"Tammy, is that you?" my Mom called. I push myself off of the door and follow the sound of kitchen clutter.

"Yeah, it's me." I say as I throw my bag down by the dining table.

"How was work?"

"It was fine. I'm gonna start a new training programme soon. So that means I'll be developing my skills faster and I'll be able to choose my speciality at the end of it."

"Oh?" Mom poked her head out of the kitchen, "How long will this take?"

"I have no clue. I'll let you know when I find out though." I sit down at the dining table. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I fished it out. It was Ruth. My heart did a little jump at her name on my screen.

Hi, the Chief sent some resources to look through. Normally, this would be given to junior/senior residents who are a little bit away from choosing their speciality but obviously you're not there just yet. Please let me know if you need help with anything :)
(sent four links)

I save the links into a file that I'd be able to access through my computer just as Phoebe walked in and sat at the table with me.

"Hey, is dinner almost ready?"

"Almost!" Mom said.

"I'm starving." she said.

"How are you?" I ask. I meant it in the context of the shooting a few days ago, I'm just trying to grasp how she is with it.

"Fine, I guess." she shrugged, "Why?"

"Well, because... You know... With what happened at your dance club?"

"I skipped that day, luckily for me." she said. That kind of put me at ease, not only was she safe, but also didn't have to see her dance partners get shot at.

"I've never told you this, but I love you. A lot." I tell her and take her hand over the table.

"Ew." she grimaced and pulled her hand away.

"Phoebe, come on. I'm just tryna tell you that I love you."

"Yeah, but why?"

"When those girls were being brought in, I was worried one of them would be you. I was so scared." I say.

"But it wasn't me. So you don't need to be all mushy."

"I do, in a way. What about the what ifs? What if it was you?"

"Tam, you're such a wuss." Phoebe rolled her eyes.

"Phoebe, please?" I beg her.

She sighed, "You know I love you. I do love you. And I think you're really cool and badass,"

"Don't say that word!" Mom reprimanded as she brought in side dishes.

"Sorry," Phoebe said sheepishly, "But I'm just saying that Tammy is really cool for following her dreams."

"Aw, that's sweet of you, Phoebe," Mom cooed and stroked my sister's hair. Just then, Isaac walked in and Mom spun around, "Why can't you be more like your sister? I bet she wouldn't steal Tammy's car and total it."

"I deserved that." Isaac mumbled.

"Forgive and forget, Mom," I say and pat Isaac's shoulder as he sits next to me.

"You're lucky you have a cool sister." Mom gritted to my brother. Yeah, she's not happy with him.

"Yes, Mom."

Dad was down at the restaurant today so it was just Mom and my siblings tonight. We eat with all laughs and jokes, even Mom has a laugh with Isaac but she made it clear that she's still upset with him.

After dinner, I spoke to Mom a little bit about my new training programme and that I'd probably be a little bit stressed over the next few months. She was happy and compassionate and understood what this meant for me. I'd feel bad if I was suddenly rude to her because of my stress and hadn't told her why.

I went up to bed soon after that. I showered and did all of my nightly routines and just as I was about to go to bed, Ruth texted me again.

Hey, how are you?

I giggled before typing back.

I'm really excited but also nervous about this new programme.

She responded quickly.

Ah, yes. It's pretty intimidating. Have you looked through the resources yet?

I huff because I hadn't.

No, not yet... Sorry.

In a way, I'd felt really rude because I'd essentially ignored her attempts to help me out.

No!
You're good!
Seriously!
DO NOT FEEL SORRY.
I REPEAT.
DO. NOT. FEEL. SORRY.
You have a life. I get it.
I'd be more than happy to help you go over it at some point.

Her immediate demand for me not to be sorry made me giggle and as the later texts came through, I felt touched and it made me wanna give her a hug and a kiss-

Wait. What?

I'd love that. Tysm <3

Tamina, what is going on with you? A heart?

Ay, no worries xx
You'll be spending a lot of time with me as well

And I loved that.

I know :)
So excited

Too much?

Me too.
I like spending time with you.
I'm really excited for our little outing together!
Like... Really excited.

Aww, she's so cute.

Ditto.
Are you picking me up before the next shift?

Tamina. Shut. Up.

Yes, yes I will :)
I like driving you. You're good company.

Is that all I am to her? Good company?

You are too. I'm gonna head to bed now. Rest easy.

Rest easy?

Thanks. Good night, Tamina. See you in a few hours.