Part 19 (2/2)

I could have left the Park, deadheaded to anywhere in the world, started over. I could have turned my back on Dan, on Debra, on Lil and the whole mess.

I didn't.

I called up the doc.

========= CHAPTER 8 =========

Doctor Pete answered on the third ring, audio-only. In the background, I heard a chorus of crying children, the constant backdrop of the Magic Kingdom infirmary.

”Hi, doc,” I said.

”h.e.l.lo, Julius. What can I do for you?” Under the veneer of professional medical and castmember friendliness, I sensed irritation.

_Make it all good again_. ”I'm not really sure. I wanted to see if I could talk it over with you. I'm having some pretty big problems.”

”I'm on-s.h.i.+ft until five. Can it wait until then?”

By then, I had no idea if I'd have the nerve to see him. ”I don't think so -- I was hoping we could meet right away.”

”If it's an emergency, I can have an ambulance sent for you.”

”It's urgent, but not an emergency. I need to talk about it in person.

Please?”

He sighed in undoctorly, uncastmemberly fas.h.i.+on. ”Julius, I've got important things to do here. Are you sure this can't wait?”

I bit back a sob. ”I'm sure, doc.”

”All right then. When can you be here?”

Lil had made it clear that she didn't want me in the Park. ”Can you meet me? I can't really come to you. I'm at the Contemporary, Tower B, room 2334.”

”I don't really make house calls, son.”

”I know, I know.” I hated how pathetic I sounded. ”Can you make an exception? I don't know who else to turn to.”

”I'll be there as soon as I can. I'll have to get someone to cover for me. Let's not make a habit of this, all right?”

I whooshed out my relief. ”I promise.”

He disconnected abruptly, and I found myself dialing Dan.

”Yes?” he said, cautiously.

”Doctor Pete is coming over, Dan. I don't know if he can help me -- I don't know if anyone can. I just wanted you to know.”

He surprised me, then, and made me remember why he was still my friend, even after everything. ”Do you want me to come over?”

”That would be very nice,” I said, quietly. ”I'm at the hotel.”

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