𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚋𝚘𝚍𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎// john deacon

chapter thirty five - the clinic's visit

VALERIE HAD WAITED to go to the doctor for about two more weeks after the band left. It was the first week of March when Mary and Payton had decided that she was putting it off for too long.

      "When's your appointment, Valerie?" Payton asked, knocking over one of Valerie's chess pieces. Mary was simply watching the game play out. Julie was out yet again, but she told Valerie that she hoped she felt better before she headed out the door to go house hunting again.

"In an hour. I've got to leave in about fifteen minutes, though, because there's traffic." Valerie said as she glanced at her wrist watch, shaking her wrist so that she might view the face of the clock.

"Mary's going with you?" Payton asked, shaking her head when Valerie got her queen.

"Yeah, we're going shopping afterward. I need some new jeans. I might be stopping at Rosaline." Valerie said, leaning to her left so she could sip some of her water from a straw.

Payton smiled. Today was a Saturday, and she didn't often work on Saturdays, but the store was open all week long. She had many errands to run that day, though, and was only able to stop by Valerie's for a little bit. "You know Lillian will give you a discount."

"That's exactly why I'm going to your store," Valerie replied, grinning, while she started to sweep the chess pieces into the velvet bag that had been containing them.

"Ah, I should've known. Not even for the quality clothing," Payton teased, shaking her head jokingly while Valerie rolled her eyes and laughed.

"You know they're quality, Payton,  you don't have to hear it from me. You know I get too excited about discounts." Valerie reminded her while she pushed out of the chair and took their three glasses into the kitchen.

        "Should we be leaving soon, just to get on the road a few minutes early?" Mary asked when Valerie arrived back into the dining room.

        "Ah, yes. Traffic might not be that bad going into town, but we'll still hit some." Valerie noted.

      "There was a lot of traffic on our way here, but I don't think there's much heading to the clinic." Mary said while she slipped on her cardigan that had been knit and decorated by Freddie's mother. It was rather eclectic, but Mary loved it. Valerie had one that was similar, but it was black, whereas Mary's was white.

        "I should probably head out, too. I've got to do some grocery shopping that I wasn't able to do earlier. There was some finance matters to cover." Payton said, running a hand through her long, blonde hair.

        "Right,  let me get my shoes on and we can head out." Valerie said, giving Payton a kiss on the cheek before she headed upstairs. When she came back down with her ballet flats on, Payton had already left, and Mary was waiting with the keys to Valerie's car.

        "And I'll drive you home when we're done shopping?" Valerie asked as she bid goodbye to Bowie and they headed out the front door.

"Yes, that'd be great." Mary said, as Payton had given her a ride to Valerie's.

"Want to get dinner when we're done?" Valerie asked as she sat in the passenger seat. Mary walked around the car and sat on the driver's side, not starting the car just yet and turning to look at Valerie.

"Sure, sure," Mary said as she put the key into the ignition, but hesitated to start the car again. "Valerie, you don't think that..." Mary trailed off, turning the key; the car growled to life while Mary switched the gear to drive.