Divorced! Now what?

Chapter 35

Theo POV



The day was eventful, and I was still in a good mood. It was one of my better days, with my patient doing well, thanks to Bethany's skill and working quickly, reducing the stress in the room. She was this way in the room, kept everyone in good spirits during a hard time, and her sense of humor had many laughing as some of her comments, a natural in the room, and like most theaters, we talked about the weekend and what people got up to, while Bethany worked her magic. Don't get me wrong, we were all working with total concentration and care. The operation was not going to be easy, but the tense atmosphere was pleasant, or at least as pleasant as it can be in that room. As we cut into a man's heart like that.

Tired and hungry, I left with Bethany. Robson was pleased with today's work and watched us leave the hospital together. He was the only one who knew we lived in the same building, and the two of us going together would be the topic of conversation tomorrow. 

As we neared a restaurant, I heard Bethany's tummy rumble, which reminded me I was hungry, too, so I offered to dine with her if there was a table. Luckily, there was. I had my back to the door, not my usual seating; I like to see who is entering a building, a protective part of me, I guess, but Bethany had walked over to my preferred seat, and I was not going to argue which seat she should sit in.

The food was good, filled the void, and Bethany ate a healthy amount of her meal. I was worried she would be a salad-picky girl and was pleased to see she wasn't. As a doctor, she would know the benefits of a healthy diet, but being in the medical profession does not mean that you follow all the advice you give others.

I had just finished eating when Felicity came over. I was shocked to see her there. I thought she was going out to a show or something tonight. I stood up, hugged her, and kissed her on the cheek.

'Thought you were going dancing tonight.' I decided to say dancing because I knew how much she loved the dance floor, and I could not remember exactly what she said she was going to be doing. All I remembered was that she would be with Sam.

I looked behind her expecting to see Sam.

'Not yet. Sam had booked this restaurant last week, and we would go dancing after the meal. Care to join us?' She looked at Bethany, who was continuing to eat her, trying not to be rude and letting us talk.

'Just finished work, I am tired, maybe another day.'

'Poor Baby, you have such a stressful job. Dancing will be good for you. Let all the stress of the day fly away.' What the fuck? My sister had lost her mind as she gave me a pleading look.

'Nope. Not happening, Felicity. Where is Sam? Go back to him and let his legs get tired trying to keep up with you.' I laughed at her. She turned around to look in the direction of a table, and I followed her gaze and saw Sam watching us. He lifts the glass to us and takes a sip.

'Party Pooper, you are no fun. All right, don't stay up too late.' She laughs, looks at Bethany again, and turns around to return to her seat.

Bethany had finished her meal and was finishing her coffee when I sat back down, my mind still on Felicity and her fiancé. I hope Sam can keep up with my sister. She can be a handful when she wants to be. I had not noticed that Bethany had requested the bill until I saw her put her card on the tray, and the waitress left to clear the fill.

'This was my treat.' I grumbled at her as she went to pay.

'Next time.' I was pleased there would be a next time, but something seemed off, and I was not sure what it was.

The waitress returned Bethany's card, and she put it away and stood up, ready to leave. I quickly gulped down the rest of my coffee and followed her out, waving at Felicity and Sam as I walked by.

We walked in silence, looking through shop windows as we passed by. Neither of us needed to talk, be deep in our thoughts and minds during the day, or get to bed. I was washed out and needed to get a few hours of sleep soon. We parted ways at Bethany's door, and I headed to the shower, taking a hot one to soothe my aching muscles. Long hours standing in theaters can often leave me with aching muscles later in the day. You get zoned out at work and do not think about how long you are standing still, all focus on the patient, and then later wish you could at least move around a bit sometimes to keep the leg muscles from spasming. I have tried different floor mats that would help, but safety complaints to management by some person who thought it was a safety and health issue put a stop to that. All I can do is put up with it and get the job done as best I can and as quickly as I can. It is all part of being in a theater, and all jobs have a part of it. That sucks. 

Sleep came quickly, and it was a dreamless night's sleep. Waking to the beeping of my alarm, I quickly changed and headed to the pool. 

There was no sign of Bethany and no wet marks on the floor to say she had been there. Maybe she did not wish to swim today or could have been called to work. She had no surgery that I know of, but that does not mean something did not happen overnight.

I do another five laps before calling it a day, grab my towel, shower, change into a suit, and head over to Bethany's place. I walk in, her door not locked, and find her place empty. She had already left for work and did not wait for me. I was not sure how I felt about that. I was, for sure, thinking we had more to our relationship than a quick romp in bed. I had thought we were growing into good friends. 

Why would she not wait for me? 

Did she even eat?

Did I do something wrong?

Have I pushed too fast?

Was I hoping for more than what we had agreed?

I checked her kitchen, and there was no sign of having eaten. Maybe she grabbed something along that way, as it seemed I was about to do. I sigh, leave her home, and head off to work, grabbing a bite to eat at what I now class as my local. The minute I walked in, the woman behind the counter got my order ready without me having to place an order. I get the same every time; I nod thanks to her and head to work, wondering what I had done wrong to have Bethany leave me like that.

Reaching the hospital, I got my coat and started my rounds. I released the woman and gave the son instructions, as I was sure the woman wouldn't follow them if I gave them to her. I was pleased to see him take it all in. Hopefully, I won't have her back on the table anytime soon. 

Some need help changing old habits and are soon back here as bad as they were before, if not worse.

I did not run into Bethany or even hear her name mentioned. It was frustrating, but I guess, in a way, it was good that I could do my job and not worry about unwanted body reactions at work; just thinking about her in that way has me wanting to do things here at the hospital that would be frowned upon.

Chapter 36 - Divorced! Now what?