As Conrad shut the door of the spacious bedroom behind him he wondered why he had let his friend bring him here. He knew if he had really wanted to he could simply have walked away back at the cafe, even without his backpack. Maybe he was simply too tired. Walking over to the kingsize wooden bed he looked around the room noting that it, like the rest of the residence, screamed luxury. Placing his backpack on the brown leather armchair he took off his jacket and top wearily before shedding his jeans and socks. After a quick trip to the expansively tiled washroom to take care of business he walked over to the inviting bed. The medication was still coursing through his system so he gratefully let it carry him away into the darkness as soon as he closed his eyes. He was just too tired to think, too tired to do anything but forget his troubles if only for a brief time.
In the kitchen Jude busied himself making the promised meal after making a quick call to Mike. The Psychiatrist had been pleased the Surgeon had managed to get Conrad away from the city but cautioned against pushing him too hard. The two men were well aware of how skittish their friend could be about his problems. When Jude had thought of the secluded place nestled in the forest he had been thinking of the isolation as a benefit. Mike however warned him that could be a double edged sword. Their friend might feel trapped and become even more resistant to opening up. Jude had assured the mental health expert that he would thread carefully. Before hanging up the tall man had toyed with the idea of asking the Psychiatrist to come there but then discarded the idea realizing it might panic their friend. Peeling potatoes at the sink Jude looked out through the blinds at the clear blue skies glad that at least the weather was doing its' best. He was looking forward to telling his friend about the plan he had for the afternoon after their meal. He knew it would appeal to the younger man.
Jude dutifully woke Conrad on the stroke of two o'clock. The fair haired man still looked wrecked. Sitting on high stools at the marble kitchen island the duo ate the proof of the Surgeons' labour in relative silence.
"This isn't half bad," the Resident complimented around a mouthful of chicken near the end of the meal.
"I'll try not to get a big head,"
"You already have."
"Very funny," Jude scoffed as he cut up a tomatoe.
"So what's the plan for the rest of the day?"
"Well given where we are I figured we could see some of nature at its' best."
"A hike?" Conrad frowned as he took a sip of water.
"Well we could hike but I happen to know this place is great for whitewater rafting, well in our case canoeing. What do you think?"
"Sounds good. So your friend just let's you hire this place when it's quiet?" Conrad gestured to the lavish surroundings.
"Nope. Don't hire it."
"Hell I must get a friend like that!"
"Tom's a good guy," Jude grinned as he looked at the half full plate his friend had just pushed away, "thought you liked my cooking?"
"I said it wasn't half bad," Conrad reminded with a cheeky grin, "I ate the good half."
"You know as well as I do you need to start eating properly."
"Come on let's get ready if we're going," the younger man ignored the words as he rose and headed for his room to get a heavy jumper which he always kept in his backpack.
It turned out that Tom had already taken two canoes out of storage for them so that saved valuable time which could be spent out on the frothy waters cascading down from the mountains. The generous man had also left out two sets of waterproof clothing and life jackets. Although Jude was a strong swimmer and had done whitewater canoeing before in truth he was not passionate about it. He knew however that Conrad loved the activity and hoped it would help him to fully unwind. He intended to ensure they were out on the water as long as possible figuring it would give him a better chance of convincing his friend to stay for the weekend if he did so. The skies had darkened as they readied themselves by the waters' edge but the threatened rain hopefully wouldn't be bad enough to affect visibility.
"We should only stay out for an hour," Conrad advised after checking his watch and the clouds, "the waters aren't too high so we should be okay for a short while. I checked the forecast this morning and there are torrential rains expected by this evening."
"You're the boss," Jude observed, cursing the weather internally for ruining his plan, as he shoved his canoe into the waters and climbed on board nimbly noting his friend following suit behind him.
"Haven't done this in a long time," the Resident admitted contentedly once they were rowing in the middle of the wide expanse of water side by side.
"Guess it's like riding a bike."
"Luckily," Conrad visualized the route in his head from the map he had poured over, "we should reach the rapids in about ten minutes. Should be around the next bend. Remember stay behind me. You get in trouble yell."
"Didn't know you were so bossy!" Jude chided with a grin relieved that at least one of them was enjoying the activity.
"You want to lead you can," Conrad made a familiar challenge knowing he would be left in charge to avoid a dunking.
"No, no you work away," the Surgeon insisted graciously, "hate to rock the boat, so to speak."
"You did not just say that!"
"Pretty sure I did."
"For that you're buying dinner on the way back!" Conrad raised his voice as the rushing passage of waters up ahead heralded the beginning of the whitewater experience.
Nearly an hour later both men were standing on the banks after pulling the canoes back onto still dry land. Conrad eyed the dull grey clouds as he put up a hand to forestall a yawn. He shouldn't be this tired he mercilessly chastised himself silently. An hour on the water was not that draining. He glanced at Jude where he stood taking off his lifejacket and noted that he looked fine.
"So how about since it's going to start pouring soon we stay up here altogether," the older man suggested as if the thought just struck him.
"We should be able to get back before the weather gets bad like the forecasters said," Conrad frowned as he eyed the still dark clouds which were yet to unleash their load and covered his canoe with a cover, "we can stop on the way back for you to buy dinner."
"You sure you wouldn't like to stay for tonight?" the black haired man tried one more time as he quickly covered the second canoe and they headed back up to the cabin taking off the waterproof gear as they walked.
"Jude the water was great but I don't want to stay away overnight and you promised you'd bring me back tonight."
"I didn't actually promise," Jude argued as the first drops descended and in the distance a flash of lightning lit up the darkening skies followed by a clap of rumbling thunder.
"Jude."
"Okay, okay," Jude reluctantly gave in as they reached the wooden structure and climbed up onto the wide wraparound porch.
Opening the door the Surgeon sensed making his friend stay would only result in an upset young man so decided he would have to do his best on the journey back to Atlanta and the stopover for dinner to get him talking candidly about what was going on with him. Jude didn't know it yet but fate was going to lend him an unexpected hand.
tbc
Authors' Note
Just wanted to mention that in Ireland when it is raining heavily we say it is 'pouring' or 'lashing' which also covers torrential downpours. Just struck me those words might not he used in the U.S.!!! Frances
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Perseverance (The Resident FF) by Frances51163
FanfictionConrad Hawkins has to contend with a longstanding eye problem which he tries to hide from his friends and colleagues due to his father drumming it into him as a child that illnesses and injuries are proof of weakness. His friends try to teach hi...
