(You think because I dont leave comments in your stories that I dont know whats going on. Thats not true. Not only do I know — know about all the *****, all the drama, all the couch sessions , all the boat rides and cab rides and bus rides, all the hunts, all the fun, all the different plots, — not only do I know but I am also grateful. Grateful as any addict would be getting a fix from any source she can find – any source since SHE hasnt supplied me in weeks. I know I said I wouldnt talk about HER but I cant help it. My thoughts of taking out some type of revenge on her were useless. I miss HER. And THE OTHER ONE has taken up the bad habits of HER – keeping me waiting for days to post another chapter – why must I become so attached to those kinds. Why cant YOU be the one – YOU who post several at a time, you who write ***** stuff like it was happening to you right then and there, YOU who are so funny I always grab Kleenex before reading knowing I will laugh til I cry, YOU who saves me $250 a session, I love you all so much. Thank you for keeping me from hating HER, hating THE OTHER ONE, for hating those who torture me. They claim they are busy, have things to do – how can they have a life when they have taken mine.
This story will end soon unlike the addiction with which I have been saddled by HER, by THE OTHER ONE and by all of you . . . I thank you for that, thank you all .!!)






We sat in the diner excitedly chatting about the commercial and the FAN FIC stories. Shorts and I had made the cut for the local car dealership ad, sitting on the beach playing with our dog in the background as the salesman pitched the new PT Cruiser Convertible.
$100 each and lunch and our mugs all over the Wilmington area.

Today was Sunday and we wanted a good breakfast before heading to New York City. The diner was one of those homespun beach eateries famous for its service as well as its country cooking. The place only seated 40 people in 6 booths and around a u-shaped counter and the line to get in never seemed to dwindle. It certainly was buzzing this morning –dishes clanking, cooks yelling, people laughing –while the sounds of Glenn Miller and other Big Band era tunes filtered through the sound system

It was called S.O.P –Some Other Place– because the entire staff from the owner to the cooks and waitresses were all from some where other than North Carolina. They wore t-shirts with the names of their hometowns and chatted endlessly with the customers. It was a very casual dining atmosphere and to get a coffee refill I left Shorts in the booth still reading FAN FIC stories on the Dell and walked over to the counter coffee cup in hand.

The perky little waitress behind the counter wore a SEAHURST sweatshirt and seemed to be quite popular with the clientele as I had a hard time getting her attention. She was deep in conversation with a local elderly couple sitting at the end of the counter oblivious to the mayhem in the rest of the diner.

I was standing beside a woman reading the daily paper and began to sing to myself, I AM WAITING AT THE COUNTER FOR THE GIRL TO POUR THE COFFEE.. life is just reflected in song lyrics and cable tv shows.

Without looking up from her Sunday comics, the woman at the counter said TOMS DINER

(~~~Oh my gawd, I thought, she knows the song – I love this woman!!~~)

Excuse me? I said looking her way and immediately noticing the distinctive bracelet – black leather intertwined with a silver chain and rainbow colored beads. A light of recognition was beginning to brighten in my brain.

TOMS DINER she repeated. The Suzanne Vega song — I love that song.

When she turned her head and our eyes locked, I felt my face burn red with embarrassment as it all came rushing back to me – an epiphany of sorts.

Right, I said acknowledging her musical trivia. I know you, Doc. I know who you are, I said emphatically.

She smiled and said nothing.

Youre the hospice doctor and my Dave Mathews moment at Sneaky Petes a few months ago. Oh my gawd, I squealed. I cant believe it – I cant believe I remembered. And I cant believe youre sitting here, now.

Whats a nice MD like yourself doing way up here in North Carolina? I asked.

She went back to reading the paper and nonchalantly replied, Having breakfast.

Which reminded me that I was still waiting to get a cup of coffee. I looked down the counter and the guest-friendly waitress was continuing to chat away with the local elderly couple.

Hey, Sea biscuits and gravy, I hollered . Who ya gotta blow around here to get a little service?

The girl looked down the counter and laughed and winked and held up a finger mouthing Just a second. She turned to the elderly couple still recovering from my foul language (I think they dropped their teeth in their oatmeal as their mouths were agape for several moments) and I heard words like impatient, rude, tourist.

When she finally strolled down my way with the coffee pot, I apologized for the comments. Oh no, dont bother , she said. You actually gave me an excuse to stop talking with that couple. They were starting to get on my nerves !

(~~lets see, shes cute, friendly, articulate – perhaps she would like to be a tv star ~~)

For a brief moment I entertained the idea of asking the little SEAHURST if she would like to take a road trip but quickly dismissed that thought as I had the Doc to deal with.

I thanked her for the coffee and winked back. Having been away from the table for a few minutes, I glanced over to check on Shorts who was still reading stories off the computer. Parked outside the diner near the window where he was sitting I caught a glimpse of an olive green Nissan Altima with Florida plates. All of a sudden the Docs presence seemed more than just a coincidence.

And without thinking I confronted her, Hey, Doc, are you following me – stalking me because I serenaded you while in a drunken stupor at some beach bar months ago?.
I couldnt believe I said it – experiencing a temporary brain lapse –and was just realizing how ridiculous it sounded as she looked up from her paper – still smiling and saying nothing.

Finally, after what seemed liked an eternity to someone who just couldnt get the taste of tennis shoe leather out of her mouth, she answered, never breaking the gaze she had begun several minutes earlier.

Im flattered that you would think I have the time to pursue such an appealing interest, she started to explain almost seductively. The results of such a pursuit would undoubtedly be rewarding, but unfortunately for both of us Im not following you.

Our eyes still locked, I stammered for something to say trying to alleviate the painful embarrassment which consumed me. But before I could answer she continued .

Actually, Im following him, she said pointing to Shorts. Have been ever since his father hired me to keep an eye on him since the rapid progression of the disease – guess its been oh, six months or so now. Not always , not 24/ 7 but just when he might get himself into a situation where he would need help – like, for instance, drinking too much at Petes or taking a road trip for six weeks for god knows what reason.

Well, if it will help you understand the purpose of your mission, we are headed to Vancouver to a casting call for the cable tv series The L Word. Familiar with it.

Never miss an episode, she replied still staring, still smiling. (~~~ Good gawd, I felt so self-conscious, so exposed, as if she were undressing me with her eyes.~~~) But I thought they didnt start filming until July – its only the middle of May.

I was pleasantly surprised that she was enough of a fan of the show to know about its filming schedule.

Yea, youre right, I said, our eyes still locked as if each of us were searching for something – what, we didnt know, but we kept looking because we didnt want to miss anything.

Were taking a little road trip to visit some friends and relatives of Shorts along the way. More than likely the last time ***** see most of them. The thought of Treys mortality made me blink and turn away, breaking the piercing gaze of the Doc.

Well that explains the itinerary his dad gave me – seemed the trip followed no rhyme or reason. Sounds like a wonderful adventure for the two of you. And by the way, why do you call him Shorts? Is it like him calling you Slots?

The sound of that descriptive word regarding my appearance was acceptable by only one person and the Doc was not that person. My blood began to boil just a little and it was time to take this little chat session outside. I was not a one-armed anything – one and a half maybe, but no one called me Slots, no one.

Trey, I hollered over the restaurant crowd. Im going to check on Smack. The bills paid and well leave whenever youre ready. I turned to the Doc who was STILL staring at me in a most unnerving way. You wanna take this outside, Missy, I seethed through my teeth and walked out the door, pacing in front of the diner waiting for the MD.

Before you start, I heard say as she pushed open the diner door and joined me outside. I want you to know I know a lot more about you than you think. I may be following Trey, but you fascinate me as well. (~~Fascinate her?? How could I rip her a new one when she said that?~~~) Ive asked around. The guys at the hospice are very willing to gossip! (~~~Mother fuckers, they are going to pay~~)

The town is small, Beach, everyone knows about the accident.

(~~Mother *****, she knows my name and who is everyone?~~)

I raised my finger, pointing it in her direction to emphasize the statement I was about to make, but she continued to talk preventing me from saying a word.

I know about the deal you made with drivers company to compensate HIM and his family after he was fired. Pretty unselfish act, dont you think.

Again I raised my finger to speak but was not allowed.

Everyone knows you didnt take the offer his company made you – you fired your lawyer and took thousands less than the original deal. There isnt a person in town that doesnt know you havent had any kind of relationship in years – and that doesnt count your promiscuous romps with the likes of the Kentucky Fried Chicklet..

Once more I raised my finger, to no avail, as the medic kept talking.

I know all about your drinking problem (~~PROBLEM???~~) and I know all about the care you take of Trey. Its no secret how close you two are. I know I like what Ive heard about you and want to know more. But for now I know all I need to know .

For the final time I raised my finger and before I could say anything at all she grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me close. Still staring so directly into my eyes I felt she saw much more than I wanted her to see. Then she kissed me — like she knew me — like I hadnt been kissed in years — like I had wanted to be kissed for years — and suddenly I felt no need to explain anything.

Any anger toward her I felt just seconds ago had melted away and I knew I had to take the offensive before the situation got totally out of hand. I did the only thing I could have possibly done at that time ., , . I invited to her join us. . .



TBC . . .