Sound of Surviving

03

Dr. Whale tried to remain focused as she spoke, but kept quickly glancing back at Ruby. "I mean, obviously I don't want fifteen kids of my own. I-I mean, not that I don't want kids. I do." He lost interest in the conversation, and his gaze was fixed on what was behind Mary Margaret. "I want kids, marriage, true love—I want it all. But that of course is..." She noticed Dr. Whale was not paying attention to her. Slowly, she turned her head to see him ogling Ruby, who had finished cleaning the table and carried a tray as she passed them.

"...wildly inappropriate for me to discuss on a first date," she finished.

"Hmm?" Dr. Whale hummed.

"Ruby?"

Ruby stopped and turned back while holding the tray in the air with one hand as she said, "Yes, Mary Margaret?"

Mary Margaret sadly replied, "Check, please."

Nevaeh left a tip for Ruby before frowning at Dr. Whale and said, "Disgraceful." She turned to Mary Margaret. "You deserve better."

Mary Margaret shrugged. "Maybe."

"Trust me. He's closer than you realize." She pocketed her hands and walked away.

Mary Margaret was walking down the street after her failed date and came across Emma, who was reading in her car.

"Hey. You okay?" Mary Margaret asked.

"Oh, in the world of tight spots I've been in, crashing in my car doesn't even rank in the top ten," Emma replied.

"You're sleeping here?"

"Til I find a place."

"You decided to stay. For Henry."

"This is the happiest I've seen him in awhile, and it's thanks to you."

"Yeah, I guess. This town doesn't seem to have any vacancies. None, actually. Is that normal?"

"Must be the curse."

"Why are you out so late?"

"Well, I'm a teacher, not a nun. I had a date."

"From the looks of things, it went well."

"As well as they ever do."

"Tell me he at least paid."

"Mm-mm."

"Ew."

"Well, I guess if true love was easy, we'd all have it. You know, if things get cramped, I do have a spare room."

"Thanks. I'm not really the roommate type. It's just not my thing. I do better on my own."

"Well, goodnight. Good luck with Henry."

"Yeah..."

HOSPITAL

The other kids were running around. Henry was in John Doe's room, about to touch his face when Mary Margaret walked in.

"Henry," Mary Margaret called. "We could really use your help with the decorations."

"Is Mr. Doe going to be okay, Miss Blanchard?" Henry asked.

"His name's not John Doe, honey. That's just what they call people when they don't know who they are."

"Do you know who he is?"

"Nope. Just bring him flowers on my rounds."

"What's wrong with him?"

"I don't know. He's been like this as long as I've been volunteering."