Lily of the Valley

Chapter 21 | Opposites Attract

"Kristopher Howitt, Tierra Mia at 9:30. I know that's kinda late for coffee, but that's the only time we're both available. Be there or I'll get soooo mad at you. Ok, love ya. Bye." I immediately pressed the end button on my phone, and placed it back in my disposable scrubs pocket.

"Nice uniform." Mason said mockingly as he passed by, a clipboard in hand.

"Thanks. I'm trying to follow the trend. You like it?" I asked, playing along.

"Doesn't suit you very much." he was trying to be judgmental and did a disapproving look, which didn't work. He was too sweet in nature, and just couldn't pull off a mean act.

"You should try not to smile. You'll look more believable."

"Dang it. I wasn't even trying to smile!" he complained.

"You smile effortlessly; you'll make a great pediatrician." I patted his back as I walked past him to the next available computer to chart.

"If you put it that way, I guess it's a good thing then." He shrugged.

"It is a good thing Dr. Keats."

"What happened to your flowery uniform?"

"Toni had a little accident while taking her medicine." I informed him.

"Poor thing. I'll check up on her right after this." He said as he typed away on the computer.

"She'll like that."

"Seems like you two are having a typing competition!" Rita said, as she passed by the nurse's station.

"Done! I win!" Mason jumped up from his chair.

"Well done, Mason! I mean Dr. Keats. I'm sorry, I got used to calling you by your first name!" Rita apologized.

"Rita, you can call me whatever you like." Mason said, giving her a tight side hug.

"You're such a sweetheart." Rita replied, returning the hug.

"Alright, I'll see you both around. Toni awaits my arrival." he said, and bowed as if he was a knight.

"See'ya later." I waved, but didn't take my eyes off the computer screen.

The day went by faster that expected, and Mason and I got to spend more time in Toni's room, playing cards and role plays. It was a good thing my other patients weren't demanding, and Rita was more than willing to help out. I also didn't see Tom at all, since there was a board meeting that he couldn't get out of. Before I knew it, it was already time to say good bye.

"Any plans tonight?" Mason asked as we walked together to the parking lot.

"I'm gonna hang out with Kris for a bit, but not 'til later. You?" I asked.

"Curling up in bed seems really enticing right now." he said with a tired smile.

"Aw. Today was pretty draining, wasn't it?"

"Yea, it was."

"Aren't you hungry though?" I nudged him, hinting that I wanted to grab something to eat.

"What do you have in mind?" his smile got a little wider, getting the message.

"I was thinking we could go to that burrito place."

"Yea! Their carne asada is the bomb diggity!"

"Oh gosh. No one says bomb diggity anymore, Mason!" I said jokingly, and we both laughed at our ridiculousness.

"Still doesn't change the fact that that burrito is th-." he got interrupted by someone calling out our names from a distance. Mason and I looked back to see Tom trying to catch up to us with a satchel on his right shoulder.

"Chief, how are you doing?" Mason greeted Tom with a fake formal greeting.

"Doctor, I'm doing great. And you?" Tom returned the formality. After a few seconds of silence we all bursted into laughter.

"You two are so ridiculous." I said, shaking my head. We started walking again.

"We're going to that new burrito place." Mason tells Tom.

"Ooh! Their carne asada is the bomb!" Tom said, probably with a bit of exaggeration.

"That's what I said, man!" said Mason.

"Dude, you said bomb diggity. There's a difference." I corrected him.

"Oh yea? What is it then?" he sounded like he was challenging me to state the differences.

"First, Tom didn't say diggity. Second, people still say 'bomb', but not 'bomb diggity'." I counted with my digits.

"Settle down now, children. Let's just go and get those bomb burritos because I am starving." Tom said.

"Uhm, I don't remember inviting you." I told him jokingly.

"Mason did!"

"No he didn't" I held out my index finger.

"Yes, he did." He got really close. So close that I could see a shadow above his upper lip, hinting that he hasn't shaved.

"Just kidding! I'll race you guys." I started running to my car, which was parked right in between Thomas' and Mason's cars. Before I was out of earshot, I heard Mason say with a loving voice: "Isn't she a handful?"

Dinner was messy, heavy, and loud. Mason's politeness and Tom's cockiness clash; they were complete opposites, yet the combination of their company made the night enjoyable and memorable.