Finn’s first shot was a perfect gutter ball. He heard the girls giggle from the lane over.
“Girls, that’s not nice. Don’t laugh at his terrible shot.” Eric said with a smirk, earning another laugh from the girls. It also earned a middle finger from Finn that only Eric could see.
“We’ll see who’s laughing once I am done with you,” Finn remarked before barely knocking down three pins. He sighed with disappointment.
They continued this for a while until it was abundantly clear to everyone in the facility that Eric was the better bowler.
Eventually, Eric sat down on the plastic seat by Finn. “So how are the other patients doing? The ones that started after me?”
“They’re progressing. Some faster than others.”
“Yeah?” Eric leaned forward. “How are they handling it? The early part, I mean. That first month is rough.”
“Some of them are struggling with that,” Finnadmitted. “The symptoms get worse before they get better. It’s hard to trust the process when you feel like you’re getting worse every day.”
Eric nodded. Finn could almost see the gears turning. “You think it would help if I talked to them? Told them it gets better?”
Finn glanced at him. “You’d want to do that?”
“Why not?” Eric shrugged. “I know what they’re going through. Maybe hearing from someone who made it through would help.”
“Maybe,” Finn said with hesitation. It was a good idea, sure. But he worried it could complicate the data somehow. One patient influencing the results of the others mid-treatment.
“I’m serious.” Eric met his eyes. “You guys have done a lot for me. I just want to help any way I can.”
Finn studied Eric’s face for a moment. This wasn’t just some empty offer made out of politeness. Eric genuinely wanted to be a part of this. To give back somehow.
“I’ll have to talk to Elena about it,” Finn said finally. “But thank you. That means a lot.”
Eric nodded, satisfied. “Your turn.”
Finn bowled his worst frame yet. A single pin followed by a gutter ball.
Eric stared at him. “Alright, what is the deal?”
“What?”
“You’ve been smiling all night. Even after that.” Eric gestured to the nine pins still standing. “You’re losing by like a hundred. You understand that, right?”
Finn shrugged. “I’m just happy to see you having fun with your family. It’s different from seeing results on the screen.”
Eric studied him for a moment. “Well, that’s very kind of you.” He paused. “But don’t bullshit me, Doc.”
Finn blinked, surprised. He opened his mouth, struggling to form a response.
“No…” Eric said, leaning back in his seat. “I think this has something to do with Dr. Herrera.”
The look on Finn’s face must have given him away, because Eric’s expression shifted to satisfaction. “I knew it,” he said.
Finn looked away, annoyed he wasn’t better at hiding it. He looked over to the next lane to see that the girls were gone. Liz must have taken them to the arcade. “How could you tell?” Finn inquired.
“I noticed it during our last session. You… changed somehow when she came into the room. I could see it on your face. Honestly, I don’t normally have an eye for that type of thing. So it must be pretty obvious.”
Damn, was he really that transparent?
“So, do you have a thing for older women?” Eric asked simply.
Finn’s head snapped back. “No, it’s not like that.”
