Medical Opinion #Wattys2017

3

Georgia opened the doors to her closet and scanned the various clothing items she had. Sweaters, blazers, coats: none of which seemed appropriate for going out to a pub and drinking. She didn't go out that often and had no idea what someone would wear to such an event. A dress, maybe? Jeans? She sighed and flopped on her bed.

Timothy trotted into her room and landed next to her. "Mew." He nosed her hand.

"What should I wear, Timothy?" She ran her hand along his soft, furry stomach. "I have two hours to decide."

Georgia walked up to her closet again and grabbed out a pair of skinny jeans and a white v-neck. "Okay, that looks good." She turned back and looked at her jackets. "This will do." She chose a black blazer that would go well; it would dress it up but also remain casual. After adding a simple gold chain necklace and gold stud earrings, Georgia got dressed and did her makeup, which consisted of foundation, powder and blush, eyebrow gel, and some light mascara. Minimalistic.

"Okay, I think I am good to go." She gave herself one last look in the mirror and grabbed her brown leather purse. "Off to the pub."

..

O'Malley's was bustling with customers and the waitresses were dashing from table to table in synchronized movements. Jack, the bartender, poured out six shots and slid them toward an equal number of college girls, who sucked down the clear liquid and ordered another round. The usual bar stool bumb sat in the corner, moping to a few buddies, who all nodded with sympathy.

Georgia finally spotted Dr. Clark and a handful of other nurses and doctors. She waved to Helena and walked over. "Hey, guys!"

"Ms. Jones! It's nice that you could join our happy party." Dr. Clark smiled and his teeth almost blinded her. Why does everyone insist on having sparkling white teeth? The rest of us would like to keep our vision intact!

"Me too." Georgia grinned and called out to Jack. "Bartender, your finest craft brew."

Jack nodded and grabbed a glass, pouring her beer. He handed it to a waiter, who delivered it soundly.

"Hey, Georgia." Henry handed the beer to her and gave her a side hug. "You hardly ever come in anymore. We miss you."

"Yeah, sorry about that. Work gets in the way of my social life these days. This is the closest thing to going out I have done in months." She took a sip of the golden brew and licked away the foam that covered her upper lip. "How is Joanie?"

Henry smiled widely. "She's great. Due in two weeks! We can't wait for the baby to be here. We finished up painting the nursery last weekend and built the crib."

"That's awesome, Henry! Give me a call when she delivers. I have something to drop off with you guys."

"You didn't have to get us anything, but thank you very much! I'm sure we'll love whatever it is." Someone whistled for Henry again and he apologized and dashed away.

"Who's the guy?" Dr. Clark was now by Georgia's side, looking down at her.

"He's friend I met in college. Henry Stanford. Great guy. He and his wife are having a baby within the next few weeks." Georgia grabbed a nacho from the huge plate on the table.

"Oh." Dr. Clark's face flushed and he looked slightly relieved.

"Is everything alright, Dr. Clark?" Georgia glanced wearily at him.

"Hm? Oh, yes, just fine. And please, call me Jeremy. We aren't at work." He winked and led her to the group of others.

She grabbed a shot of tequila from the table and threw it back, swallowing the burning liquid. It felt good to be out and socialize with people. Eating a frozen burrito in front of her tv with her cat wasn't exactly what she pictured herself doing when she was twenty-nine. Her sister already had three young boys and a daughter on the way. Milly was always the one who pleased her parents. But Georgia loved her career and wouldn't have traded it for anything.

"Well, we meet again, Ms. Jones."

Georgia turned around and smiled. "Derek! It's good to see you here. Here, have a shot." She handed him a drink and clinked glasses with him before drinking. "Welcome to the party."

He laughed and grabbed a French fry. "Thanks. I figured it would be nice to get out and have some fun before work starts up and I need to get to bed early." Derek looked around the pub and nodded. "This seems to be a pretty cool place. Come here a lot?"

"No, hardly ever. Work keeps me really busy. But I think you would understand that, coming from Angels."

"Yeah, it was a really great place to work, but I got tired of the constant rush. Yes, I understand that the medical field is a zooming place but having the hours I worked, it was keeping me away from things I wanted to do and other ventures. I wanted a slower place. So Meyer Central seemed like a good fit." He ate a burger slider from the platter. "How did you end up here?"

Georgia sighed. "I am from a big Southern family and growing up, I always loved helping people and healing my stuffed animals when they had boo-boos." She smiled as she remembered her childhood. "My parents didn't really want me to become a nurse; they wanted me to get married and become a baby maker, much like my sister is now. So I ignored them, went to nursing school, and took the first job offer that came my way. Myer Central. It's become like home to me."

Derek watched as she told her story and grinned when she finished. "Well, hopefully it will feel like home for me too." He stood and held out his hand. "Care to play a game of pool?"

Dr. Jeremy Clark watched with envy as the new nurse ushered Georgia away to the pool tables. He glowered when she laughed at something Montgomery said to her.

"Woah, man. Who killed your dog?" Aaron, a fellow doctor at Meyer Central, clapped his shoulder. He followed his friend's gaze and whistled. "Looks like the new guy is creepin' in on Georgia."

"Don't you think I can see that?" Jeremy took a swig of his beer.

"Why don't you ask her out? Get her off the market."

"Can't. Workplace relations never end well. Plus it is against the hospital policy to date a co-worker and unless the board changes their mind, it's going to stay that way."

Aaron shook his head. "Then find a way around it or forget her. Don't let it get in the way of your work. You are one of the best doctors we have; don't jeopardize that."

***

Georgia kicked off her heels and sank into her bed. It had been a really fun night. Derek taught her some new pool tricks and she almost beat him at a game or two. Her feet were killing her and she needed to get some rest before tomorrow. Timothy was curled into her side and purring contently.

The sounds of the city buzzed around her and she quickly feel into a quiet slumber.

A/N:

Hello!

Finally got around to updating this book. I'm way behind schedule.

This chapter seems kind of eeeh to me but I wanted to get a chapter out and written. The ending seems to kind of be clunky and boring but maybe it isn't? I'm not sure at this point. Once it is completed, I will be going back and doing editing over the entire book.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'll get the next chapter out when I can.

XOXO

-red