“Medical school,” I explain, a little confused why she seems surprised by this. Surely I told her this at some point.
“You? Medical school?” She blanches.
“I’m not as stupid as you seem to think I am.”
“No, it’s just... I didn’t know you wanted to go to medical school. What are you wanting to do? I mean, is there a certain specialty you’re pursuing?”
“Oncology.”
“Really?” Her surprise seems to grow. “Any specific reason?”
“I watched my grandfather wither away with cancer when I was young. From that moment on, I wanted to do something that would help people like him,” I admit, shaking away the image of the strong man I once knew, withered to a shell of his former self. It’s an image that’s haunted me since I was a boy. “What about you? What are your plans?”
“Well, I still have another year after this. But my hope is to one day be a grief counselor for children who are struggling with loss.” Sadness passes over her features, but it’s gone in an instant.
“Because of your sister?”
“Yeah,” she admits with a soft nod.
“Look at us. Both trying to make a difference for the people we loved.” I have to resist the urge to reach across the table and take her hand. I don’t know why, but the sudden desire to touch her is almost too strong to resist.
“I guess it’s true what they say. Your childhood really does shape your entire life,” she ponders out loud.
“It would seem.” I’m quick to agree.
“Where are you planning on going to medical school?” she asks after a brief silence passes between us, both lost to our own thoughts.
“I applied to UVA’s medical program. That’s my top choice. I’d like to stay here if I can. But I’ve also applied to UC’s medical program in Ohio as well as Eastern Virginia Medical School. My advisor is certainly going to make me apply to more just to make sure I have options, but those are my top three. Do you plan to stay in the area after graduation?”
“My family is from here, so probably. I can’t imagine leaving my parents, or my brother, even if I’d like to smack him upside the head now and then.” When she smiles this time, it lights up her entire face.
“He seemed like a pretty good dude to me,” I offer.
“Yeah, he is. But he has his moments.”
“Don’t we all.”
She thinks over my words.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything,” I answer without hesitation, forking a bite of eggs into my mouth.
“What happened between us. The way... The way you treated me. Was it really because of Lana?”
I set my fork on the side of my plate, giving her my full attention.
“Yes and no,” I answer honestly. “Most of it was Lana. The scene I created. The way I treated you... That was because of her. But I can’t lie and say I wouldn’t have found another way to push you away if she hadn’t been there.”
“Because you didn’t like me?” She guesses... wrong, might I add.
“Because I liked you too much.”
“And that was a problem?”
“For me, at that time, yeah, it was. You terrified me, Maisie. Hell, youstill do.”
She tries to keep her expression neutral, but something intense still passes through her eyes.
