*sighs, nuzzling into her hand* I know. I guess I’m just worried. All of my girls are being swarmed now. Make sure to remind me about that shotgun. *manages a smile*
Of course. Gentle is my middle name, isn’t it? I just think we should talk. I wonder what’s going on inside his head. Why would he suddenly do this when we’ve known the boy forever?
I don’t know, mi cielo. It confuses me too. I know you’ll be gentle, I just…I hope we can get to the bottom of this. And I certainly hope he isn’t trying to do the same thing with Nadia as he did with me… *frowns*
I hope this doesn't make things terribly awkward for the kids. I'm sure Mel still hasn't stopped blushing over it. *shakes his head* Is it too soon to say that I'm glad I wasn't replaced with a seventeen year old?
He better not. I doubt she would go for anything he says when she's so infatuated with the Odair boy.
Yes, I’m fine, Anderson. Don’t worry. *strokes his cheek softly, smiling at him* It was just a little…strange. Very strange. I feel bad for insulting him but I mean, why would he assume that was okay? I don’t know.
Melosia already knows, of course…just, be gentle. You know. She sounded quite upset and angry on the phone.
*sighs, nuzzling into her hand* I know. I guess I'm just worried. All of my girls are being swarmed now. Make sure to remind me about that shotgun. *manages a smile*
Of course. Gentle is my middle name, isn't it? I just think we should talk. I wonder what's going on inside his head. Why would he suddenly do this when we've known the boy forever?
Unfortunately, I am…I honestly thought he was joking at first! I tried not to laugh but I probably looked like I thought he was a joke. He looked a bit embarrassed after that and left, and I think he said “you don’t know what you’re missing.” I felt a little bit bad for almost laughing but…why would he even think I would agree to something like that?
I called Melosia after he left and let her know what her son had said…but maybe you should talk to her about it. He’s been coming around to see Nadia an awful lot and he came on to me, too. Ay, mi cielo, I don’t know what he was thinking.
*clenches his jaw and relaxes* I don't even know what to think about that. We've know him forever and he suddenly does this. I'm sure Mel is completely devastated and furious. *taps his fingers against the desk*
I can't say I blame him for thinking you're beautiful, but I am insulted he would come on to you..and in such a disrespectful way. I'll call Mel as soon as I can.
*looks down, a bit reserved* Well…it’s hard to actually say. But… *sighs, deciding to just say it really fast* He came over to try and get me to…have an affair with him, or something.
*holds his hand tightly* The only doctor I need is you, mi cielo. *smiles for a moment before it falls again* Er…I had a visit today, from Melosia’s son. Sterling, I think?
Since he had already previously graduated, the past three years for Anderson have been spent working at the hospital.
He started at Seaside Heights Hospital. As he predicted, the people weren't very welcoming. After working hard and trying his best to win his co-workers over, he soon earned their respect.
When time came to go to North Shore, he had his time split evenly between both buildings.
Taco Team has kept up with each other, always making sure to have taco nights whenever possible. Anderson is happy to help her in any way he can, whether she needs his homework advice or not.
When Anderson learned of Emmett Derringer's success in the music industry, he sent him a bottle of champagne as a way to congratulate him. He received no letter in return.
Though living together already makes them feel like husband and wife, Anderson hasn't married Xochi yet. This doesn't mean he has no plans to do so. The very expensive ring he's having trouble hiding is proof of that.
All in all, not too much has changed. He had always been a mini adult anyways.
Who doesn’t want to come celebrate your birthday? It’s the party of the year.
/grins, searching through the cabinets until finding a candle and lighter/ I have a cake for you, but this seems to represent us better. It’s something we both feel on a spiritual level. /sticks the candle in, lighting it/
They should come as a package deal. The cashier gave me this look when I was checking out. I didn’t want to be an asshole, but don’t act like you aren’t impressed with my purchase, sir. You work at Buy Below.
Yes, for your information, I did. /unwraps a taco/ Oooh, buttery.
Don’t worry. He was probably just insanely jealous. Inside he was really begging you to take him away from that Buy Below and let him join in on the beer and part poppers celebration.
Who doesn't want to come celebrate your birthday? It's the party of the year.
/grins, searching through the cabinets until finding a candle and lighter/ I have a cake for you, but this seems to represent us better. It's something we both feel on a spiritual level. /sticks the candle in, lighting it/
Only a week ago, he felt like he was finally starting to get everything figured out. While he definitely had a head start and more sense of direction than most people his age, he had absolutely no idea what to do about this problem.
It wasn't much of a surprise when he received the job at North Shore Medical Center. Working there was the family business. The second they got word of another Salmon graduating, a slot opened up immediately.
But just simply giving away a job would be too easy.
While he would still have the job, he would begin working in the fall. He was taken back to hear that since he had assumed that the summer 'shift' was his. While he was going to have a job this summer, it wasn't what he expected at all. Instead of working at North Shore this summer, they were going to have him stationed in the ER at their sister hospital, Seaside Heights Hospital. The Seaside Heights.
Seaside Heights was not the nicest place in Four. After the racial disputes back after the original rebellion, it became a slum of sorts to those who were considered to be 'impure'. Even many years later, it was still an impure dominated area. Not only was it the most dangerous place in the entire District, but the people were very proud of who they were.
He had no problems with the people. The color of skin made no difference to him at all. Unfortunately, it wasn't the same for them. Those who were considered 'pure' were not entirely accepted in Seaside Heights. The powerful people of Seaside Heights, though that wasn't saying much, were generally 'pure'. This gave them an even worse appearance to the impure people, who now considered them as greedy, along with other terrible things. The amount of violence against the 'pure oppressors' grew everyday.
Before stepping a foot inside the boundaries lines, he had two big strikes against him. Not only was he as pure as they came, but he was going to steal their money as a white doctor.
~
“I'm not racist, but they already think I am just because of my skin. How can they even say I'm the racist here?”
“There is no intelligence in racism. Asking why is pointless. You don't need to tell me you aren't racist. You seem to gravitate more towards women of c-”
“Have you ever had patients or people who didn't like you?”
“Of course not. I'm awesome.”
“I'll just go talk to mom.”
“Sit down and relax. This worrying will kill you before anyone over there does.”
“You aren't helping me at all! I've been worried sick about this for days.”
“Why did you want to become a doctor, Anderson? Wasn't it to help people?”
“I can't exactly help people who don't want me to help them.”
“You also can't help people if aren't willing to try. You're worried about something you haven't even tried.”
“I'm worried because it has a terrible reputation. It's not entirely crazy for me to be scared!”
“You're worried about the people judging you before you even get there?”
“Yes! All I want to do is try and help people to the best of my abilities. Why does that make me the bad guy?”
“Well, aren't you doing the same by judging them before working there? You have an incredible chance to give Seaside Heights a doctor who wants to help the people. They have perfectly good reason to worry about you being there, but that doesn't mean they won't soon learn what your true intentions are. You were chosen for that position for a reason.”
That gave him something to think about. He was so worried about how scared he was of them that he hadn't realized that they were just as nervous to let him in. Turning the whole place around was certainly an optimistic way to look at it, but there was something underneath that that hit home. This was his chance to help people.
