Free The Exception to the Rule by Beth Rinyu

dating one or being married to one,” he said.
    “I don’t know why we are even having this conversation. I told you this morning, there is nothing, nor will there be anything, going on with Dr. Kiron,” I said in a very matter-of-fact tone. “Now let’s change the subject, so I can eat my cookies in peace.” I took a big bite out of one of my chocolate chip cookies.
    After we finished dinner I headed over to the phone area waiting for one to become available. I sat down on the bench listening to some woman speaking in a foreign language. I put my head back against the cool cement wall and closed my eyes. I began to daydream about being home and sitting on the beach. I missed it so much; the smell of the salt air, and the sound of seagulls flying overhead. There was something about touching the ocean and the sand that restored your soul. I missed my house and lying in my bed on a warm summer night listening to the crickets through the open windows. It’s funny how you don’t realize how many things you take for granted until they’re gone. I opened my eyes when the woman seemed to be wrapping up her conversation. I jumped from the bench when I heard her put the phone on the receiver and smiled as she walked by me.
    I was so happy when my dad picked up on the first ring. I explained to him why I was calling him on a Saturday and filled him in on the last few days here. I told him all about Julian and what a great doctor he was. After a while I found that I was rambling on about him again.
    “Well, you certainly sound in better spirits from the other night when I spoke to you,” he said. “Would this oncologist have anything to do with it?”
    “Geez, Dad, between you and Charles,” I said. 
    “Okay but I bet he’s handsome, right?” my dad asked, laughing. It astounded me how he could read me like a book, even when I was miles away.
    I began to laugh. “Yes, he’s very handsome.”
    “How did I guess that?”
    I decided to get to my real reason for calling, the one that he was trying to avoid. “Have you gotten the results from the tests you had done?” I asked.
    “Not yet,” he replied in a dismissing tone. “I’m fine. You have me on my way to the grave over a few little tests,” he added.
    “I’m sorry if I’m being a nag, Dad, but I’m just worried about you,” I said.
    “Well don’t worry, I’m fine, I promise you,” he said, sounding very reassuring.
    “All right, I’m taking your word for it then,” I said. 
    We said our goodbyes and I hung up the phone still having a very uneasy feeling. I decided to take his word for it. I made the walk down the dark hallway to my room for some much needed sleep. I was hoping to hear the sound of the ocean in the far-off distance or some crickets chirping a familiar tune in my dreams. 
     

 
     
    Chapter 7
     
    I was ready promptly by 7 a.m. and able to get myself together and out the door without waking Tricia. I was feeling a little jealous that I wasn’t able to sleep in myself. I timed it perfectly. I almost walked right into Julian, who was just exiting his hallway as well. 
    “Good morning,” he said. I couldn’t help but notice the small piece of toilet paper he had stuck to his face.
    “Did we have a little trouble shaving this morning?” I joked.
    He rolled his eyes at my sarcasm.
    It always seemed much more laid back on Sundays, not the usual influx of people. It wasn’t as if there was less of a need for medical assistance just because it was Sunday. It was just an observation that I had made over the past few months of being here. This morning was unusually quiet, with hardly anyone around. Julian must have finally realized what day of the week it was due to the lack of chaos.
    “Oh Kat, I’m sorry. I totally lost track of my days; it’s Sunday, isn’t it?” Sunday was the normal day off unless you were on call. 
    “That’s okay,” I said, reassuring him that I really did want to go as we walked out of the