I'll Hold My Breath

Chapter 8

 Meredith sat in her living room,staring out the window. She'd changed twice, put a little bit ofmake-up on and had her honey colored locks in loose waves down whichrested on her shoulders. She couldn't help herself from checking herphone every couple seconds, waiting for a text from the hospitalasking her to come in for an emergency case or waiting for Derek tosay he couldn't make it. In her life, it was rare for people to staytrue to their word and after becoming a doctor, keeping plans almostnever happened.

Headlights blinded her as Derek's carpulled into her driveway. Meredith let out a sigh, grabbed her purseand headed out the door. Derek was waiting for her at his car,holding the passenger door open for her. She gave him a slight smileand hopped into his car, muttering a hello which was probably soquiet he didn't hear it.

On their way to the diner Derek haddecided upon, they talked about their day at the hospital and whatsurgeries they had done. They shared patient details and what theywould have done if they were in their scenario. It was easy for themto talk, they knew how crazy one another's lives could get and howbeing a doctor was hard but rewarding. Meredith loved it, she lovedthat someone understood how dedicated she was to her work.

The diner Derek had chosen was quaintand quiet. There were a few other patrons that sat in the bright redleather booths but all were retirees. It had black and white tiledfloors and white walls with abstract art scattered across them. Theytook their seats at a booth beside a window and were waited on ratherquickly by a woman in her 40's.

"What can I get ya?" The waitressasked, chewing gum and holding her pen to her pad of paper.

"Water for me." Derek said.

"Same for me." Meredith added.

"Alrighty, two waters comin' up."The waitress noted and left.

"How did you find this place?"Meredith asked.

"What? You don't like it?"

"No, I do, it just doesn't seem likea place you'd go to."

"What seems like a place I would goto then?" He asked, curiously.

"A place like we went to last night,you know, all classy."

"You think I'm classy?" He chuckledand raised an eyebrow to her.

"I think you're a little arrogant,being in places like that probably feeds your ego."

"Being arrogant comes with being adoctor."

"Are you calling me arrogant?"Meredith questioned.

"You called me arrogant first."Derek countered.

"Derek seriously, why this place?"

"My dad used to take me to a placelike this when I was a kid. I was around 7 or 8 and I had a softballgame every week and after the game, whether we won or lost, my dadwould take me to a small diner near the park and get us each an icecream sundae. I was driving around town when I first got here andfound this place and it just reminded me of that."