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heck,” he said.
    The cafeteria was packed. We finally managed to find two seats together at one of the bigger tables. I was so hungry and planned on eating whatever they had to offer. That was until I saw that the eggs looked half cooked. I decided to go with the oatmeal and some fruit instead. Charles followed my lead and grabbed the same thing.
    “So what’s going on, Kat? I feel like I haven’t gotten a chance to catch up with you in a while,” Charles said.
    I began to tell Charles about the exciting day that I had had yesterday helping Julian with his patients. 
    “He really is an amazing doctor,” I said.
    Charles looked over his coffee up at me. I knew that look; it was the same one that my dad would give me when he disapproved of something. Sometimes the similarities between the two of them scared me.
    “What?” I asked, knowing that he was trying to say something with his eyes.
    “Kat, don’t set yourself up for another heartache,” he said in a fatherly tone.
    “What are you talking about?” I asked, clueless.
    “He’s around your age, nice-looking, and you haven’t stopped talking about him since we sat down,” he answered. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt,” he added.
    “Thanks, but I have no intention of falling for Dr. Kiron.” I smiled, appreciative of his concern.
    I decided that I would stop the talk about Julian. I instead began to tell him about the apprehension I had over my dad’s health. Charles reassured me that everything was probably okay and I was just being paranoid. It comforted me when he told me that he would have his wife Claire go over and check on him. 
    “How is Claire?” I asked.
    “She’s okay, keeping herself busy while I’m gone. She hasn’t found a new husband yet.” He laughed.
    “Well, she better not be finding a new shopping buddy,” I said, smiling. 
     Claire and I had a monthly ritual. We would spend an entire Saturday shopping from early morning to late at night. She and I had become so close. I was very fortunate to have her and Charles in my life. They were like my second parents. 
    “I don’t think you have to worry about that; you’re the only one as crazy as her with the shopping.”
    “Well that’s good. Please give her my love,” I said.
    “I sure will,” he said, taking another sip of his coffee.
    I looked at him and thought what a wonderful dad he would have made. He and Claire had tried for many years but were unable to have children. I finished up my oatmeal, which was now cold from all the talking I had done. I was so hungry, I didn’t even mind. I wondered what would await me today as we walked over to the medical facility. I breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that I was scheduled to work the walk-in clinic with Charles. Anything of a serious matter would get referred to one of the doctors doing rounds or on call. I was still so tired. I couldn’t handle anything that would drain me emotionally. The day went by quickly. Charles and I were the perfect team. It was always such a learning experience when I worked with him. I looked at my watch, a half hour to go. Tomorrow was Sunday, which meant my day off and my weekly phone call to my dad. Even though I had just talked to him a few days earlier I still missed hearing his voice. I wrapped up with the last of my patients. I hung out and waited until Charles was done with his last walk-in. 
    “Are we ready to get out of here?” Charles asked as his last patient exited the building.
    “Waiting on you,” I answered.
    “Care to join me for dinner?” Charles asked.
    “Of course,” I replied.
    We walked through the village and up the hill. Charles had wanted to get cleaned up before heading to dinner and I had decided to do the same. We were engrossed in our conversation. I almost missed seeing Julian standing right outside of our building talking to three other men. Two of them were older and one looked to be about the same age as him. I gave him a quick