The Slower Path

The Slower Path - Part 1

The Slower Path

***PART UNO***

"Doctor, you've been playing that game for hours, take a break!" I exclaim as I walk into the living room to find him playing that stupid game again. "Rose, you don't understand, if I get this strike I beat my personal record. I fought the Daleks, I think I deserve a little free time!" I roll my eyes and walk to the kitchen when I hear the phone ring. I immediately know who it is and sigh internally. Trying to block the noise of the ringing, I sit down and start to look through the paper. I can see my mother now: "Rose why didn't you answer when I called you; Rose why don't you visit anymore;" Rose this, Rose that. I know my mother well enough to know she is extremely high maintenance. After contemplating what will happen if I don't answer the phone, I decide to just get it over with. "Hello?" I say with just enough agitation in my voice to let her know I'm annoyed. Every day it's been the same drill. She calls, I listen. She talks, I agree. Well, not this time. Today I will finally say what's on my mind. "Rose, it's mum" she responds in her usual tone of annoyance. "I just wanted to check and see if you needed anything today because I'm going to pick up some groceries and-" "Mum." I cut her off there. "If I need groceries I will take care of it. The Doctor and I moved in together so we could be off on our own." I could almost hear her frown through the phone. "Well excuse me for caring enough to try and help out." She's trying to guilt trip me again. I take a deep breath. "It's just that I wanted it to be just me and him, living together and getting off on our own. We can take care of ourselves, we don't need you to keep badgering us about it. It's just me and the Doctor now." I say all in one breath.. I finally did it. I told her the truth. Maybe she'll be proud that I am mature enough to live on my own. All of this goes through my mind at once. Maybe she'll be happy for me.

I was wrong. "Rose, you left me all alone for so long traveling in that ruddy Tardis! I'm still important you know! I am your mother! You didn't even know the Doctor until-" I slammed down the phone. I didn't even want to know what she thought about the Doctor. She's been complaining about me not visiting her, complaining about me cutting her out, and complaining that I'm not treating her as good as the Doctor. She doesn't get it. The Doctor is the best thing that's ever happened to me, even if he is a copy. Sometimes I think about the real Doctor, and what he's doing. When I think about him, I just remember to hug the Doctor that I've got here with me a little tighter. After all, he's all I've got. Mum just doesn't understand how important he is in my life.

"Yes!! Another strike for the Doctor! I am on fire!" he exclaims from the other room. I smile to myself as I hear him shout with glee. I walk back into to living room. When he sees me enter, he says, eyes still glued to the television, "Let me guess...Jackie again?" "How did you know?" I say sarcastically as I plop down onto the sofa. " What did she want?" He says pausing the console. "She's livid and I don't know why." I say quickly. I can't stand lying to him. I pray he doesn't see that I'm sweating like a dog. I can't tell him that he's the reason she is always so angry. He would be heartbroken. The Doctor glances at me suspiciously. "I see. Did you have a row?" Hah. That's an understatement. I was just about to say these exact words, but instead I nod. He immediately jumps up and stands in front of me, his hand outstretched. "Well maybe to cheer you up we could go out and have some fun." He says smiling down at me. "Now you're talking!" I say enthusiastically. He takes my hand in his and together we walk towards the door. I try to put all of my worries to the back of my mind as we walk, hand in hand, outside in the brisk air.