Saturday, October 23 at 9:10 A.M., Richard was studying in the common room of his and Doug’s dorm room when Doug left his bedroom.
Richard looked at Doug before asking, “Where did you go last night, dude?”
“A few of us went to O’Shannon’s pub.”
“And you didn’t even think to invite me?”
“It was a spur of the moment decision to even go, and I misplaced my phone, so I couldn’t call you.”
“Dude, check your jacket. You wore it three days ago and it was the last time I saw you with it.”
“Ooh, I didn’t even think to check there. Thanks for the hint.”
As Doug was turning towards the bedroom, Richard said, “No problem, dude.”
Doug walked back into his bedroom and shut the door behind him. After he walked up to the closet, he checked the pockets of his winter coat. When he didn’t find the phone, he checked the pockets of a lighter jacket and found it in the right pocket. He looked at the phone and saw that it was set on vibrate. He also noticed that there were ten missed calls and a few text messages. Doug checked to see who had called. When he saw Elizabeth (Liz) Wrights’ name among the missed calls he grinned and hit the button to call her back.
Liz was running on a treadmill at a moderately crowded fitness club when her phone rang. She stopped running and looked to see who was calling before answering with, “You have a lot of nerve calling me after standing me up.”
“It wasn’t like that, Liz,” Doug said.
Liz said in an unpleasant tone, “I tried calling you Thursday evening and twice last night, so tell me. What was more important than answering my calls or keeping our date?”
“Well, about not answering your phone calls, I just found my phone after misplacing it for two days. As for missing our date, wasn’t our date for tonight?” He then cringed for making his last statement.
“Our date was for last night, and you were to pick me up at my grandparents’ house at seven o’clock.”
“Liz, I’m so sorry that I went brain dead about our date last night, and please let me make it up to you tonight.”
Doug noticed a short silence before Liz said, “You can pick me up at my grandparents’ house at noon. We can have lunch and if you don’t show up this time, don’t bother calling me again.”
“I’ll be there,” Doug assured her. Liz hung up without saying another word. Doug then clipped the phone to his pants and left his room.
When Richard saw that Doug had his phone, he said, “Good, dude, you found it.”
“I did, and I also discovered that I missed my date with Liz last night.”
“That explains the phone call from her I got last night.”
“Liz called you?”
“She called me about eight last night and was asking me where you were. She was all agitated and when I told her that I didn’t know where you were, she hung up without saying so much as a ‘goodbye’. I didn’t know you had a date with her or I would have reminded you about it yesterday.”
“I have a lunch date with her, so everything’s fine,” Doug said before gesturing for the door. “Well, I’m going to talk to Alex.”
“Later, Dude.”
Doug politely nodded before he turned and left the dorm.
Trudy, while carrying clean clothes and her shower items, left her dorm room. Before she was able to walk into the women’s bathroom, she heard someone calling out for her. When she stopped and looked she saw Doug hurrying towards her.
As Doug stepped up Trudy asked, “So how do you feel this morning?”
“I feel fine. Is Alex in the dorm room?”
“Alex is still in bed. I told her to take it easy on those drinks last night, but she wouldn’t listen.”
“I’ll go and get her up. We need to get with Miles so he can drive us to our vehicles anyway.”
As Trudy reached into her pocket she said, “I doubt you’ll be able to wake her up while knocking.” She pulled out her door key and held it out for Doug to take. “So here’s my key. Just have Alex bring it to me while I’m in the showers.”
Doug took the key while saying, “Will do.”
As Doug turned and walked towards the dorm room, Trudy continued towards the showers.
Alex had the covers pulled up to her neck and when Doug entered the bedroom he shook her awake.
Alex opened her eyes in a squinted fashion. When she saw who it was she faced away and closed her eyes before saying, “I’m sleeping. Go away.”
In a normal voice Doug said, “Alex, we have to…”
Alex uttered without facing Doug, “Shshsh, stop yelling. My head is pounding.”
“I’m not yelling.”
“Then whisper it. Better still, tell me when I’m up.”
Doug said in a quieter voice, “You need to get up now, so we can get our vehicles.”
Alex asked without facing Doug, “What’s your hurry?”
“I want to prepare for my date with Elizabeth Wright.”
Alex faced Doug and opened her eyes. Her covers were still pulled up to her shoulders as she asked in a slightly disbelieving tone, “You have a date with Liz?”
“Apparently I had a date with her last night that I didn’t know about. She agreed to have lunch with me today.”
“You’ve been trying to get a date with Liz for nearly a year, and in this reality you get one,” Alex pointed out.
“And I don’t want to blow this chance to date her. That’s why I want to get my Jeep. I need to prepare for my date now and I doubt Miles will agree to take us to our vehicles at different times.”
“Okay, I’m up,” Alex said before she slightly raised the covers and noticed that she was nude. She quickly covered up again while saying, “No, I’m not up.”
Doug gave Alex a confused look before asking, “Why aren’t you?”
“I don’t have any clothes on and I’m not getting up while you’re standing there.”
Doug grinned before questioning playfully, “What’s the big deal? We’re siblings.”
Alex uttered sternly and somewhat loudly, “Doug, get out!” She then quickly covered her forehead with her right hand and cringed from her searing headache. “Okay, that was too loud.”
After seeing Alex’s reaction, Doug questioned, “Since when do you get headaches from hangovers?”
“Apparently Alexandra gets bad hangovers. Trudy did warn me against drinking as much as I did.”
“Oh, that reminds me. I have Trudy’s door key and she wants you to return it to her.”
“Why can’t you return it?”
“I would, but she went to take a shower and the women in there would act like you and tell me to leave.”
“Speaking of leaving, will you please leave so I can get up and get dressed?”
“Fine, I’ll wait for you in the common room,” Doug said before turning and walking away.
Alex waited for the door to shut completely before she got out of bed.
Doug sat on the couch in the common room for a short time when Alex stepped out of her room while dressed in the clothes that she had on the previous night. She was carrying clean clothes and her bathing items.
Doug gave Alex a curious look as Alex said, “I’m going to take a shower, and while I’m doing that you should find Miles and Ben.”
“All right,” Doug said while standing up. “Just don’t take forever in the showers.”
“I won’t,” Alex said while following Doug to the door.
Thirty minutes later, Trudy helped Alex put on makeup.
11:00 A.M., Miles was driving Alex, Doug and Ben to O’Shannon’s pub. As always, Miles had his radio playing. Ben was in the front seat. Alex and Doug were in seats directly behind the front seats. As Miles was approaching a twenty-four-hour diner, Miles gestured towards the diner while asking, “Is anyone interested in grabbing some lunch?”
“I just ate, so no for me,” Ben said.
“I have a lunch date, so I’m out,” Doug said.
“I’m actually hungry, so I’ll go with you after you drop Doug and Ben off,” Alex said.
“I’ll drop you off too, Alex, and you can meet me at the diner,” Miles said.
“All right; that’s fine,” Alex said.
Five minutes later, Miles dropped off Alex, Doug and Ben near their vehicles. After Alex got into her Jeep, she followed Miles back to the diner.
One-third of the tables were empty along with a half of the stools at the counter. When Alex and Miles walked in, Alex immediately saw Maxine waiting tables. She quickly stopped and faced Miles before saying, “I can’t eat here.”
Miles gave Alex a curious look before asking, “Why not?”
Alex gestured towards Maxine and whispered, “That waitress’ name is Maxine and she doesn’t like me… well, actually she doesn’t like the Alex of this reality, but she thinks I’m her.”
Maxine saw Alex and Miles talking near the entrance. She walked up to them before saying, “Well, I’ll be. Alex, I never expected to see you in here.”
“You don’t have to worry about me because we’re not staying.”
“I was about ready to re-evaluate my opinion of you, but if you’re leaving, my opinion of you stands,” Maxine said.
“I was planning to leave because I didn’t think you wanted me in here,” Alex said.
“So are you telling me that the quality of food that is served in a diner like this and the type of service you would get are not beneath you?” Maxine questioned.
“Not at all,” Alex assured her. “I like the food that is served in a greasy spoon.”
“There are a few tables that are open and I’d be more than welcome to be your waitress… unless you have a problem with being here.”
“Not at all,” Alex quickly said. “Miles, I changed my mind. We’re eating here.”
Miles wasn’t sure how to react and slightly hesitated to say, “Sure. No problem.”
Alex saw an empty table to where a person sitting at that particular table could see the activities of the cook and Maxine. She pointed to it while saying, “Miles, let’s sit there.”
Before Miles had time to respond Alex was walking towards a seat. Miles and Maxine just followed. Alex hung her purse on the back of the seat and as she was sitting down Miles said, “This table will be good.”
As Miles was taking a seat Maxine asked, “Do you two need to look over the menu first?”
“Am I able to get breakfast still?” Alex asked.
“Breakfast is served twenty-four hours a day,” Maxine said.
“Then I know what I want,” Alex said. “Miles, what about you?”
Miles slightly grinned before saying, “I’m ready to order too. You go first.”
Maxine pulled out her ordering tablet just as Alex was saying, “Okay, I’ll have bacon and scrambled eggs with potatoes and toast.”
“Anything to drink?” Maxine asked.
“Yeah, I’ll take an orange juice now and a glass of milk when the meal arrives.”
Maxine wrote down Alex’s order and then turned towards Miles while asking, “What can I get you?”
“Breakfast actually sounds good,” Miles began. “So I’ll have ham and eggs over easy with potatoes and toast. I’ll also take orange juice now and a glass of milk.”
Maxine put her tablet away before saying, “I’ll be back with your OJ’s.”
Miles saw the serious look that Alex was giving Maxine as Maxine was walking away. After a moment of noticing it, Miles asked, “Why are you letting Maxine get to you?”
Alex looked at Miles before she defensively asked, “Who says I’m letting her get to me?”
“Oh, so you’re not eating here while Maxine is waiting tables in order to prove a point to her.”
“Okay, fine; I am,” Alex admitted, “but I’m not a snob like Maxine thinks I am.”
“You may not be, but the Alex from this reality is to a small degree… possibly even more than a small degree. Anyway, you can either accept the reputation that you inherited or you can drive yourself ragged while trying to change people’s opinions of you.”
“Well at the moment, I’m only looking to change one person’s opinion of me,” Alex said while gesturing towards Maxine. “I’ll worry about the other people’s opinions later.”
Miles just grinned and shook his head before asking, “So, in your reality, did you have plans to become a surgeon also?”
“I had plans to go into the scientific field, but with my current situation, I’m actually rethinking that plan. Attending medical school and becoming a surgeon does sound like something I would like to shoot for though, so I’m thinking about switching majors to that when I return to my own reality. What are your plans?”
“I’m in my fourth year of college, and I’m still undecided on a major, but I’m leaning towards law. I have even been taking courses to prepare for law school.”
Alex saw Maxine returning with the drinks as she was saying, “Well you better decide something definite before next September.”
Miles turned to see who Alex was looking at.
Maxine stepped up and placed the drinks on the table. After she was done putting the drinks down she said, “It will be a few minutes on your food order.”
“Thank you,” Alex said.
Maxine gave Alex an astounded look for a second before she turned and walked away.
Before the meal arrived and while eating the meal, Alex and Miles enjoyed a casual conversation.
Miles was done eating first and when Maxine saw Miles pushing his crumb-filled plate away, she walked up to the table. As she stepped up she saw that Alex still had about half of her food left. She then asked, “How are you two doing?”
Alex saw that Miles was giving her an inquisitive look before she answered, “I’m fine.” Alex then pushed her plate away. “In fact, I’m done also.”
Maxine looked at Alex’s plate again before asking, “Was there anything wrong with the food?”
It took a second before it dawned on Alex as to why Maxine had asked that. She then quickly and politely said, “Oh no. The food was great. I just wasn’t as hungry as I thought I was.”
“Perhaps we can get the check,” Miles said.
“Sure, I’ll be back in a minute,” Maxine said before she turned and walked away.
Once Maxine was out of earshot, Alex asked, “So how much tip should we leave?”
Miles gave Alex a curious look before saying, “Leave as much as you want.”
“I normally would, but in this case I don’t want to tip not enough to where Maxine thinks that I’m cheap… or something like that,” Alex began. “And I don’t want to tip too much to where she thinks that I’m trying to give her charity.”
“You’re over analyzing the situation, Alex,” Miles pointed out. “Just tip her what you normally would and if she’s bothered by that then that’s her problem.”
Alex nodded while saying, “You’re right.” Alex saw Maxine returning. She grabbed her purse and as she was pulling out her wallet Maxine stepped up with the check.
Before Alex was able to get any money from her wallet Miles took the check and said, “Put your wallet away, I’ll get this.”
“Well how much was my part?”
Miles pulled out a twenty-dollar bill while saying, “Don’t worry about it.” Miles handed the check back to the waitress along with the twenty-dollar bill.
As Maxine was giving Miles his change, Alex said, “I never expected you to pay for mine.”
“Alex, I want to.”
“Well, thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Have a nice day,” Maxine said.
“Thanks, you too,” Alex said. Maxine just nodded and walked away. Alex laid three dollars on the table before looking at Miles. “Well, I’m leaving the tip.”
“Okay,” Miles said with a grin before putting his change away. “So what are your plans for today?”
“I have to be at Little Bucks at five or before to start my shift. Between now and then I’ll be studying; unless something comes up.”
“What is the possibility of you putting your studies on hold to go see a movie with me?”
Alex gave Miles a curious look before asking, “Are you asking me out?”
“Yeah, I guess I am.”
“Miles, I’m not Alexandra,” Alex pointed out.
“Well, I know you’re not Alexandra from this reality. In fact, I’m more attracted to you than the Alexandra from this reality.”
Alex again gave Miles a curious look before asking, “Trudy didn’t tell you about me, did she?”
“What didn’t she tell me?”
Alex shook her head before answering, “It’s not important. Miles, I’ll go to the movies with you, but we can’t date.”
“Oh I get it. You’re dating someone and you would feel as though you would be cheating.”
“It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
Alex thought for a second before saying, “Miles, in days, weeks or even months, I’ll be returning to my reality, and for us to date… well, it just wouldn’t be right.”
“Alex, there’s a possibility that this is your reality now.”
“Okay, that is a possibility, but I have to try to get back to my reality. It’s not fair to the other Alex if I don’t try. So are we good with just remaining friends?”
Miles grinned before asking, “Would you hold it against me if I try to change your mind?”
Alex slightly grinned before saying, “You’ll be wasting your time.”
“Honestly, I can’t think of a better way to waste my time.”
“Okay… well, I think we should go find out what’s playing.”
“I’m ready,” Miles said before standing up followed by Alex. Alex zipped her purse before putting it over her shoulder.
As they were walking into the parking lot, Miles told her, “We should take one vehicle.”
“Which do you want to take?”
“I don’t mind driving; as long as you don’t have a problem with it.”
“I’m fine with you driving.”
“My van it is then,” Miles said with a grin before he and Alex walked towards the van.
Miles and Alex walked up to the passenger’s side of Miles’ van. Miles unlocked the door with the remote and then opened it for Alex to get in. Once Alex was inside, Miles shut the door. As Alex was putting her seatbelt on, Miles walked to the drivers’ side.
Minutes later, Miles was buying two tickets to see a horror film. The movie didn’t start for another hour so they went to play video games.
2:00 P.M., Doug and Liz were walking through the corridors of the mall. When Liz noticed the bored expression on Doug’s face she nudged him before saying, “I know shopping with me at the mall wasn’t your idea of a fun date, but today is the only day I have time to get my sister a wedding gift before she gets married next weekend. I also have to buy a dress and a pair of shoes.”
Doug took a deep breath before saying, “Oh, I’m okay with being here with you.”
“If you can say that while not looking bored to death, it would be more convincing.”
Doug said in a more cheerful voice, “I’ll admit that shopping at the mall is not in my top-ten list of fun things to do, but spending time with you no matter where we are is number one.”
Liz stared delightfully into Doug’s eyes before saying, “Okay, I accept that response.”
Just after Liz’s response, Doug saw an intimate moment and leaned towards her to give her a kiss. Liz allowed the kiss and the kiss lasted for a few seconds.
In the theater’s parking lot, after the show, Alex and Miles were walking towards Miles’ van. As they walked Miles put his hand on Alex’s far shoulder.
Alex looked at Miles and said, “Miles, remove your hand.”
Miles removed his hand before asking, “So what do you have planned for the next two and a half hours before work?”
“I haven’t done any type of studying for two days, and I really need to.”
“You have tomorrow to study.”
“Miles, playing video games and watching the movie were fun, but I should study for Monday’s class.”
“Are you sure I can’t talk you into going somewhere with me?”
Alex gave Miles a curious look before asking, “Where?”
“Do you know Chris Swan?” Miles asked. Alex just shook her head. “Well, he’s the person I replaced as a goalie. Right now he’s hooked up to a machine at the hospital and hoping that a kidney donor can be found soon. He asked me to come by sometime today, and I’m not going there alone. Trudy had already told me that she won’t go with me, and I don’t know who else to ask.”
“Is there a reason that you won’t go alone?”
“Will you go with me without me telling you the reason?”
Alex again gave Miles a curious look before asking, “Why don’t you want to tell me?”
“Since I’m an adult, it’s a bit embarrassing to say.”
Alex grinned before asking, “Who better to tell an embarrassing secret to other than a person who won’t be around in a few weeks or so to tell it?”
“Fine, I’ll tell you,” Miles said. “I’m terrified of hospitals. I avoid them when I can and I will never walk into one alone.”
As Alex and Miles were approaching the van, Alex asked, “Is there a reason why you’re terrified of hospitals?”
As Miles and Alex were walking up to the passenger’s side of the van, he said, “When I was seven my mom, Trudy and I were involved in a serious car accident.” Miles unlocked and opened the door; however, Alex just stood outside the van to finish listening to what Miles had to say. “We were all sent to the hospital, and I was put in a room by myself. I was alone for what I thought was an extremely long time, so I left the room. I overheard a doctor telling another doctor about a woman who was involved in an accident and was taken to the basement. I thought the doctor was talking about my mom and so I went to find her. But what I found in the basement were dead bodies. One of the bodies… a woman’s body, looked as though it was something out of a slasher movie. She was completely cut in half just below the shoulders. Her arms were severed off just above the elbow and they were lying beside the body. Seeing what I did traumatized me. Since then, I’m terrified to walk into a hospital.”
Alex said in a sympathetic tone, “Miles, I’ll go with you.”
Miles grinned before saying, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Alex said before turning and climbing into the van. Once Alex was in, Miles shut the door. As Alex was putting on her seatbelt, Miles walked around to the drivers’ side.
Miles was quiet after driving away and Alex noticed within the first few minutes as to how quiet he was. She then broke the silence by talking about musical groups that she liked.
As Alex and Miles were approaching the entrance to the hospital, Alex noticed that Miles was pale. Sweat was forming up at his forehead and his body was slightly trembling.
Alex put her hand on Miles’ back and asked, “Are you okay?”
Miles asked in a nervous and trembling voice, “Don’t I look okay?”
“You’re talking as though you just came in out of freezing weather and as pale as your face is right now, you look as though you should be admitted here.”
“It has been a while since the last time I was in a hospital, so I guess I’m more frightened to be here than I thought.”
As they were entering the hospital, Alex asked, “Are you this way with doctors’ offices too?”
“I’m fine to be in a doctor’s office or a small clinic. It’s just hospitals that frighten me. Well, we should find a help desk to find out what room Chris is in.”
Alex pointed to a male nurse standing at a nurse’s station and said, “Let me ask him.”
As Alex and Miles walked up to the nurse, the nurse asked, “May I help you?”
“Can you tell us what room Chris Swan is in?” Alex asked.
The nurse pressed a combination of keys on the computer’s keyboard. Once the information popped up, he told them the room number and then explained how to find the room.
“Thanks,” Alex said.
“No problem.”
She and Miles walked in the direction of the nearest elevator. Miles pressed the button as they stepped up and the door opened immediately.
They stepped onto the elevator and after Miles pressed the button for the proper floor, Alex asked, “Did the Alex of this reality know Chris Swan?”
“She did. Trudy dated Chris last year and it was a hostile break up. That’s why Trudy wouldn’t come with me to see him.”
“That’s good to know before I meet Chris.” Alex was quiet for a second. She then asked, “Oh, how does Chris feel about Alex?”
“He likes Alex.”
“So Alex didn’t completely alienate herself from everyone around her?”
Miles grinned and said, “No, not everyone. To be fair to Alex, I really don’t think she means to alienate herself. Her standards are just set too high and I really think that she doesn’t realize as to how she treats people.”
“From what I read from her diary, I agree with you.”
In Chris’ room, Chris’ mother Linda and older brother Chad were visiting. The TV was turned off. Chad was in the middle of telling Chris about a movie that he watched the previous night. He stopped talking and turned to face Miles as Miles walked in followed by Alex.
Chris and Linda also turned and looked at Alex and Miles. Miles was still slightly pale. Chris then gestured and said, “Mom; Chad, meet Miles and Alex. Miles; Alex, meet my mom Linda and my brother Chad.”
Chad stepped up to Miles and held out his hand to shake hands. As Miles shook Chad’s hand, Chad said, “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Miles said.
Chad turned and held out his hand to shake Alex’s hand. As Alex went to shake Chad’s hand Chad kissed Alex’s hand before saying, “It’s nice to meet you as well.”
Alex nervously grinned and said in an uncertain tone, “It’s nice to meet you.”
Linda walked up also and greeted Miles and then Alex.
When the introductions were finished Chris feebly said, “Alex, I never expected to see you.”
“Oh sure. When I heard that Miles was coming, I just tagged along so I can say ‘hi’ and see how you’re feeling.”
Chris grinned and said, “I never knew you could lie in a compassionate manner, but thanks for trying.”
“Why do you think that I’m lying?”
“You never cared for me much and I knew that.”
“I wasn’t mean to you, was I?”
“Well, no, you weren’t mean or rude to me, but you would barely speak to me when we were in the same room.”
“Well, I’m talking to you now.”
“So, Chris, how are you feeling?” Miles asked.
“I’m as good as a person can be for being hooked up to a machine. You don’t look so hot though.”
“I’m fine. Being in a hospital just reminds me of a memory I’d rather forget.”
“What happened?” Chris asked.
Miles glanced at Alex before saying, “I’d rather not say.”
Alex tapped Miles’ shoulder and said just above a whisper, “I’m going to search for a restroom.” When Alex saw the worried look that Miles was giving her she added, “I shouldn’t be gone long.”
“Okay.”
Before Alex was able to walk out, Linda said, “Alex, I’ll show you to the ladies’ room.”
“Okay; thanks.”
After Alex and Linda left the room, Chris asked, “So what’s going on with you and Alex?”
“Presently there’s nothing going on, but I’m hoping I can change that.”
“You might not know this, but Alex has a crush on you, so you shouldn’t have any problems being with her.”
“Alex is going through a situation right now, and she has already mentioned that she will not get involved with me because of it. But as I told her, I’m going to see if I can change that.”
“You should make romantic gestures, like sending her flowers or surprising her with something romantic,” Chad suggested.
“That actually isn’t a bad suggestion,” Miles said.
“Alice, my fiancée is coming up from New York, and tomorrow I was going to show her all the fun sights in Boston,” Chad said. “You and Alex are welcome to join us.”
“I’ll talk to her about it.”
As Chad reached for his wallet he said, “I’ll give you one of my business cards. It has my cell phone number on it and you can call me tomorrow so we can meet.”
“Okay.” Just as Miles was taking the card he looked at Chris and said, “And this is probably an inappropriate discussion to have in front of you.”
“I’m fine, Miles,” Chris said. “You and Alex should go and see the sights of Boston with Chad and Alice. Last year Trudy and I spent an entire day going to every sight that was open and we had a great time. Speaking of Trudy, is she still mad at me?”
“Saying that she’s mad at you is putting it mildly.”
“I really messed up with Trudy. Before I die, I really would like it if she would forgive me.”
“If mom heard you talking about dying she would give you an ear full,” Chad said.
“Mom doesn’t want to face facts.”
“There’s always a chance that a donor will be found,” Miles said.
“I won’t be holding my breath,” Chris said.
“We need to change the subject before mom gets back,” Chad said.
“Miles, I want you to tell Trudy that I would like to see her,” Chris said.
“I told her once already, but I’ll tell her again.” Miles gestured towards the television. “So have you seen anything good on TV?”
“Just sitcoms and reruns.”
Miles started a conversation about a particular sitcom that came out the previous September. Alex and Linda were gone for eight minutes before they walked back into the room and joined their conversation.
Alex and Miles visited for an hour before leaving the hospital. Miles drove Alex back to her Jeep and they talked casually the entire way.