Distanced

Part 2: In Which Max Struggles With Space

Then push Georgia into the mix and I just can't stop feeling trapped in my guilt.

I know I need to move on.

And I'm trying too.

But...

But I'm stuck. Too scared to move forward and unable to go back. The walls are closing in on me fast and I can't do a single thing about it.

"Thank you, Dr. Goodwin." The older woman looks up at me and I smile as I get her in a bay.

"No worries, Mrs. Aster. Now I know Dr. Reynolds will take good care of you. Let me go let him know he has you." I smile and take her paperwork over to Floyd, who is discussing something with Lauren.

They seem to be getting on better.

Although from current rumors- Lauren has taken a liking to someone. Be damned if I don't know who, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was still Floyd. I heard they had a thing a few years ago and the tension between them only ever seems to build.

"Hey...hope I'm not interrupting. Floyd, I have Mrs. Aster in Bay 3. I believe it's acute tachycardia. Thought you'd want first dibs." I state and Lauren looks at me curiously.

"Sweet...I mean- not sweet that she has to deal with that but..."

"Will you just go?!" Lauren shoves him and he glances at me nervously before walking off.

"Everything okay?"

"Yes! I'm fine!" She snaps.

"Okay...um..."

"Do you know how frustrating it is?"

"Eh...what's frustrating?" She sighs heavily and gestures towards the lounge. I follow her without hesitation and she shuts the door behind us and leans against it.

"I get Reynolds lost his department and got booted out of surgeries because he's back on the bottom of the totem pole- but why is he in my ED?" Oh boy. This is gonna be fun.

"Lauren, he's very skilled and right now the ED is the only viable option for him and it's not like you don't need the help..."

"I don't need the help."

"Lauren...what is this really about? Cause I highly doubt it's about Reynolds working cooperatively in your ED." Growling and huffing out a breath, she pushes off the door and goes to the vending machine and stares at her reflection in it.

"I have a new roommate."

"Is it the woman you were sneaking in here?" Her eyes widen. "I don't care if it is- I would have done the same thing."

"Her names Layla and she's sweet and funny and actually a doctor."

"She sounds lovely. Does she need a job?"

"Where would you even put her?" She snaps back at me and I look away and sit on the table edge. "It doesn't matter. That's not the problem."

"Then what's the problem?"

"The problem is that there is no problem."

"Odd."

"That's the problem! Seriously, Max! I am over here expecting a rock to break a window and yet I have the neighbor boy bringing me flowers!"

"I'm totally lost. Can we just...not use analogies...especially ones I've never heard before."

"I am struggling with the fact that nothing is spiraling out of control."

"So you're pissed that you have zero stress or issues in the ED and at home because you're a masochist? You like the stress and the problems?" Why the Hell would she want problems? Isn't the point of working to have zero issues and be on easy street? I certainly wouldn't be complaining if my life was stress free and perfect.