CHAPTER 8

With a cup of coffee in her hand, Monica, thankful no one else was around, sat down across the table from Bobbie in the doctors' lounge.

"How are you doing, Monica?" Bobbie asked, concerned. "You look so tired."

"I am," she admitted and sighed. "A.J.'s ordeal has taken its toll on me, let me tell you."

"How's he doing?"

"Overall, he's better. He doesn't realize it, though."

"Poor thing. What about Alan? How is he doing? He must be going through his own private hell. I haven't seen him since this happened. Has he been at the hospital?"

"He has. I think he's staying holed up in his office. You would think that he would be going through hell, wouldn't you? And I guess in his own way he is, but I can't get through to him, Bobbie. I know there's something wrong, but I feel as though I might as well be talking to this table."

Monica's frustration and concern were not lost on Bobbie.

"Have you spoken to anyone about Alan's involvement?"

"No, and it never made it to A.J.'s record. The emergency room doctor said he was going to leave it up to me to pursue."

"A.J. told me in the emergency room that Alan had given him the medication when I asked him."

"You haven't said anything to anyone, have you, Bobbie? I want all the facts before I make any decisions about what to do."

"I did mention it to Tony. He's the one who got me thinking about what could happen to Alan. But Tony won't say anything, and I won't say anything more either. You have my word."

"Thanks, Bobbie. I really want to keep this as close to home as I can. Damnit, I wish Alan would open up to me. I want to help him as much as I want to help A.J."

"Maybe the guilt is too much for him."

"I wish I knew what was going on in that head of his," Monica said, bitterly frustrated at Alan's unwillingness to open up to her.

She drank her coffee and then asked Bobbie what Carly was doing at the nurses' station.

"Do you believe that girl?" Bobbie asked, shaking her head. "I know she and A.J. are neighbors, and I suppose friends, but the way she was grilling Amy, you would have thought he were her husband."

"Bite your tongue!" Monica exhorted.

"Don't worry," Bobbie said, allowing a small laugh. "Tony would never get so lucky. Carly's wrapped herself around him so tightly, she'll never let him go."

Monica finished her coffee and told Bobbie she needed to complete her rounds.

"See you tomorrow," she said.

Bobbie nodded. "Monica, I know this sounds hollow, but things do have a way of working themselves out for the best."

"You're right," she said and thanked her friend as she left the lounge.


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