InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "But why is the rum gone?"

Alma Del Mar Jr (Brokeback Mountain) (daddysliljunior) wrote in utr_logs,
@ 2008-02-28 19:49:00

Entry tags:

alma del mar jr, carlos serrano

Who: Alma and Carlos
Where: The clinic.
When: This evening.
Warnings: Eh, doubtful. Possibly some light swearing, wont be anything to slao an 'R' on.

It was the hardest secret Alma had ever had to keep, and she'd nearly felt inclined to tell Mark about it the past weekend. That wouldn't have been fair to Ennis, or Bobby, whom she'd kept it from for an entire year and some odd weeks. Even if Ennis didn't remember. And now her doctor had left the clinic to do some kind of work elsewhere. Joy. She didn't want to believe it, but she knew it was certainly possible, as she sat on the table in one of the exam rooms, she just hoped if it did happen, confidentiality wouldn't be a problem. It she wasn't free of it yet, she'd know it wasn't something she could take care of and act like it hadn't happened and she'd tell Bobby herself.

For now, she waited, the doctor would be with her sortly.

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ex_medico197
2008-02-29 01:01 am UTC (link)

Carlos slid into the exam room with a curious arch of his brow and a smile.

"Hello, Alma." The moment that he'd picked up the doctor's dropped patients he'd spotted her name on the top of one of the files and ... well, he'd been very surprised to see what was inside of it. Still, he was a professional and he certainly wasn't going to tell anyone about her condition. He was concerned about the young woman's state, though.

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	daddysliljunior 2008-02-29 01:19 am UTC (link)
	Alma managed a smile despite her embarassment. "Hi Carlos." Her hands started to nervously fumble in her lap, a habit of hers, and she sighd, chewing at her lip. "Reckon you might have some test results on ya, or 's it too soon for them?" She wasn't usually so impatient and she certainly didn't mean to be rude, she just wanted to know. Badly. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

ex_medico197
2008-02-29 01:24 am UTC (link)

He was used to treating people that he knew personally, in all honesty. "Would I disappoint you?" He held up the file and tried very hard not to reveal with his expressions what was in the file before he told her verbally.

Carlos flipped open the file and sobered immediately, sliding into 'professional' mode. "Well, the chemotherapy did a good job shrinking the cancer considerably, but..." He trailed off.

"...it's still very much present. I'm sorry, Alma. We can continue treatment, of course..."

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daddysliljunior
2008-02-29 01:32 am UTC (link)

Alma hadn't really expected better. She knew her body, she knew it hadn't worked. Giving a curt little nod she didn't speak at first, wet her lips and sighed. "Then we will. I aint leavin' this world without puttin' up one hell of a fight, Carlos." Especially not with that baby back at her Dad's, she had to be strong for him.

She managed a smile an reached to shake his hand. "Looks like w'got ourselves a project t'work on t'gether, Doc."

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	ex_medico197 2008-02-29 01:41 am UTC (link)
	He moved close enough to squeeze her hand when they shook. "Of course, Alma. There are a few new combinations that we might try in order to increase the effectiveness." Carlos had always been a fan of experimental procedures. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	daddysliljunior 2008-02-29 01:48 am UTC (link)
	She swallowed heavily and gave a nod, managing to maintain to small, unsure smile. "All right then." Sliding from the table she sighed, shoving her hands into the pockets of her jeans. "Well, y'gettin' off soon? As I recall, I owe you a drink." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_medico197 2008-02-29 01:53 am UTC (link)
	Carlos glanced to the clock. "As a matter of fact, you were my last appointment of the day. I would be glad to go for a drink with you, Alma." Despite the fact that she was effectively the ex-girlfriend of the man he was hoping to be dating at some point in the near future. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

daddysliljunior
2008-02-29 02:00 am UTC (link)

"Well aint I a lucky little lady?" She smiled more genuinely, all thoughts of Bobby shoved aside. Bobby didn't bother her anymore, she'd moved on. If anything happened between Carlos and Bobby? She'd be the first to pat them on the backs.

"Good, reckon this'll be the last drink I have for a while." She generally avoided it, even between bits of chemo, unless it would look suspicious for her to refuse.

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	ex_medico197 2008-02-29 02:04 am UTC (link)
	"It would be a good idea," he agreed with a nod, "And I am sure that even if you weren't going through this, your liver would thank you. You know that us doctors are the least healthy of all, don't you?" He held the door of the exam room open for her. "Shall we?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	daddysliljunior 2008-02-29 02:35 am UTC (link)
	She chortled a little at the comment about doctors, walking out when he opened the door. "Thank'ya." She nodded. "Not a huge drinker, 's true. But it's always nice once in a while, nightsl ike t'night." She sighed deeply. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_medico197 2008-02-29 02:42 am UTC (link)
	Carlos slipped his hand to her shoulder for a light squeeze. "It will be hard, of course, but I'd been ... well, researching a few treatments at home that look promising." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	daddysliljunior 2008-02-29 02:45 am UTC (link)
	"Researchin'?" Her bow rose high and she frowned a little. "As in non FDA approved treatments, or stuff that's been in th'works a long time?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_medico197 2008-02-29 04:24 am UTC (link)
	"Not FDA approved, persay. The combinations would be relatively new, and I would certainly need to confer with an oncologist or two before even thinking about using the drugs." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	daddysliljunior 2008-02-29 04:43 am UTC (link)
	Alma nodded, shrugging a bit. "Well, m'boyfriend's. .Dad, he's an oncologist, I think. I can always see about havin' him call you." She offered up, not sure if that would help at all, but figured it would be worth taking a shot. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_medico197 2008-02-29 04:47 am UTC (link)
	"That would be very helpful, in fact. It would save me the trouble of trying to figure out the system here," he admitted with a smile. "I can leave a message for him on the journal system if you have a name." He opened the door of the clinic and waved off the nurses. "But for now, no more patient-to-doctor talk. You're dating someone? What is he like?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

daddysliljunior
2008-02-29 04:59 am UTC (link)

"Oh jeez it's uh. ." She clicked her fingers as if to help snap her memory into place. "'s Wilson, James Wilson. I don't know which one tho, ther're two, so, you might have t'ask which one is Mark House's father, an' I kno that's confusin', but, it's a long stry I don't even kno all th'parts of yet."

Walking out of the clinic she smiled. "Mark? Mark's . .the sweetest human being I have ever spent time with." She laughed softly. "'s good to me, doesn't treat Drew awkward, acts like a big brother t'him. They talk 'bout video games. Writes music, gentle soul." Bedroom comments came to mind, but she skipped them. "Mark's amazing." And she was quickly finding herself in love with him. "Few years younger and so. .gosh, he acts my age, more mature than I was at 20."

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ex_medico197
2008-02-29 05:05 am UTC (link)

Carlos couldn't help the grin that spread over his lips while she spoke. A woman like her needed a good man during the time she had to deal with what Alma was, so he was glad to hear she had him.

"That's wonderful, Alma. I know exactly what you mean." He'd met a young man like about a year ago - very sweet and very affectionate, passionate and ... Carlos should stop thinking about the boy. Nothing had happened, and then the poor kid had gotten mauled by a bear. He filed the name 'James Wilson' away for later use and nodded.

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	daddysliljunior 2008-02-29 05:11 am UTC (link)
	She smiled over at him, giggling softly to herself. "Gosh, listen t'me." A thought dawned over her and she looked at him, drawing a sudden connection. "Was he ok, Bobby? Was he in here all beat up, Carlos?" She realized how random it was, but she needed to know. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

ex_medico197
2008-02-29 05:13 am UTC (link)

He laughed quietly and rubbed the back of his neck.

"You sound like someone who is falling in love, Alma, and that is no crime." When she asked about Bobby, he merely shrugged.

"I know that no matter how close you are with Bobby, I can't really tell you anything that would be violating his privacy." But from the look on Carlos' face, Bobby had come in, but he was just fine.

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daddysliljunior
2008-02-29 05:19 am UTC (link)

She looked at him with wide eyes at that, ready to flat out deny it when she realized, it wasn't going to happen. She just couldn't, so she smiled sheeipishly and nodded in affirmation.

She sighed tho, at the next bit, rubbing her temple. "I un'erstand, an' I wouldn't tell Bobby if y'said." She shook her head. "I just. .I already know m'Daddy beat th'snot outta him, I just wanted to know he was ok."

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	ex_medico197 2008-02-29 05:25 am UTC (link)
	"I assure you that if I did treat him, and I'm not saying that I did ... he would be just fine under my care." He smirked and shook his head, nodding to the bar. "Do you mind here? I'm not particularly familiar with the town yet, and this place has been closest." And fairly cheap, which was an added bonus. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	daddysliljunior 2008-02-29 05:36 am UTC (link)
	She sighed with relief, nodding a little. "All right." She looked up and nodded with appreciation. "I aint picky, bar's a bar." Smiling she opened the door for him in turn for him having done the same at the clinic, waiting for him to walk inside before following him. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_medico197 2008-02-29 05:39 am UTC (link)
	Carlos nodded a bit himself. "I can promise you that I will try to take care of him as best I can." Which was a mildly awkward thing to promise to her. "What do you drink?" Beer, he assumed. She didn't seem like the fancy cosmopolitan sort. He headed over to the bar with a smile. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	daddysliljunior 2008-02-29 05:47 am UTC (link)
	She nodded. "Thank you, Carlos, I 'preciate that." She walked to the bar with him, nodded. "Whatever's on tap." She could barely pronounce the names of the different kinds of coffee when out with Mark, let alone the fancy little vodka and juice drinks they came up with in bars. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_medico197 2008-02-29 05:50 am UTC (link)
	"Then make it two," he nodded to the tender. Carlos decided rather quickly that he would pay for the first round of drinks. After that, perhaps they could take turns. "And it is no problem, Alma." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	daddysliljunior 2008-02-29 08:18 pm UTC (link)
	Alma wouldn't have any sort of problem with that, offered the bartender a friendly smile when he brought the glasses of beer, took a sip from hers. "So how y'likin' the clinic? Y'settlin' in ok?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_medico197 2008-02-29 10:24 pm UTC (link)
	"I'm settling in very well, and there's been a wonderful response to the immunization campaign so far." He didn't mention that Jack had come in, but he wondered if she knew. He'd had a good talk with Jack. It hadn't been as awkward as he was anticipating, either, which had been a very pleasant surprise. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	daddysliljunior 2008-02-29 10:58 pm UTC (link)
	Alma nodded with a smile. "Tha's good t'hear." She took another sip of the beer. "I'ma have t'bring Drew in 's soon 's I can. He has t'get some shots for school next fall." Even though he wasn't third grade age, the fact that he was going into the class obligated him to get the shots. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_medico197 2008-02-29 11:03 pm UTC (link)
	Carlos took a sip of his own beer and nodded along with her words. "We still have plenty of vaccines, so there is no rush -- but it would be better to do sooner rather than later, of course." And some of the shots required more than one dose of the vaccine, of course. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	daddysliljunior 2008-02-29 11:10 pm UTC (link)
	She nodded. "I'll probably bring him tomorrow, before I go to work at the diner, I'm not sure if I'll be going to New York this weekend or not." She sighed, settling back, the alcohol easing any nerves she might have been feeling. She let out a deep sigh. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_medico197 2008-02-29 11:18 pm UTC (link)
	He smiled. "All right, then. Your job at the diner has been going well, I hope? If you need more hours at the clinic..." Carlos could always arrange that, he supposed. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	daddysliljunior 2008-02-29 11:21 pm UTC (link)
	"Oh yes it is, and that aint necessary, been puttin' m'tips aside t'start savin' up for Drew's birthday present, everythin' else goes to rent an' food. It aint bad 't'all, worked out just nicely." She gave a nod, another drink of her beer. "What made y'get into medicine?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_medico197 2008-02-29 11:23 pm UTC (link)
	It was surprising how often people asked him that. "When I was younger, I worked on the farm with my family. I always wanted to help people, though, and when we moved to the city ... I started Medicine. It seemed like the right thing to do." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	daddysliljunior 2008-02-29 11:30 pm UTC (link)
	She nodded. "Tha's a good reason." She laughed a little at how juvenile that sounded, shook her head. "Always wanted t'go t'college, couldn't get in right outta high school, an' then I got married an' met Bobby an' had Drew, so, I didn't think much 'bout it for a long time." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_medico197 2008-02-29 11:52 pm UTC (link)
	"And now?" Carlos was of the opinion that education could start at any age. Of course, it wasn't as if she had the money from the sounds of it ... but there were loans for that sort of thing. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	daddysliljunior 2008-03-01 03:01 am UTC (link)
	"Oh hell, I aint got th'time nor th'money, and I aint got no credit to get a loan or somethin'. It'd have t'wait, 'til we get stronger on our feet, or if I wa'n't th'only one bringin' in money an' payin' bills." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_medico197 2008-03-01 03:08 am UTC (link)
	He nodded. "Of course. But you should keep it in mind, no? Just ... for future reference. There are correspondence courses that you can take to fit into your schedule, and there's financing for just about everyone." Carlos Serrano, champion of Education? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	daddysliljunior 2008-03-01 03:36 am UTC (link)
	She nodded. "'s definitely somethin' I'd like t'do in the future, yeah. I'll see how 't works out. I'll definitely see." His helpfulness was. . oddly endearing. Felt like a good place to really start at a friendship. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_medico197 2008-03-01 03:47 am UTC (link)
	"Of course. Let me know if you need anything." Carlos paused, laughing. "You must think that I'm strange, acting like this with you. I'm a very friendly person -- I hope it doesn't make you uncomfortable." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	daddysliljunior 2008-03-01 04:20 am UTC (link)
	Alma laughed at that, shaking her head. "God, no. No, I think 's nice, mighty nice t'see someone so friendly. 'f I was uncomfortable believe me, you'd know it faster than you'd know anythin' else." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_medico197 2008-03-01 04:32 am UTC (link)
	He nodded. "All right. I worry coming into new places." He was aware that the states - especially here, in Utah and other less-populated areas - had different standards. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	daddysliljunior 2008-03-01 04:53 am UTC (link)
	She nodded. "I can un'erstan' that. Lots of times, I talk 'thout m'accent. Like a normal person, you know? Like this, like I was brought up in New England have use perfect grammar." She scoffed and took a drink of her beer. "People eat 'tup, too." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_medico197 2008-03-01 04:59 am UTC (link)
	"That's one thing that I have never been able to get rid of," he admitted with a shake of his head, "but I don't think I would bother." Carlos took another sip of his beer. "But I understand. I did most of my preliminary work in South America for a reason - I could speak Spanish." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	daddysliljunior 2008-03-01 05:33 am UTC (link)
	She shrugged. "'s th'eason I didn't get into college an' m'little sister did, she masked it, I never tried to. I didn't realize talkin' this way made me 'stupid'." "Oh really?" She seemed to light up at that. "W'a's'it like down there?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_medico197 2008-03-01 05:37 am UTC (link)
	"It doesn't make you stupid," he responded immediately with a shake of his head, "But people can be narrow-minded." He set his beer down. "The situation is ... terrible in some parts of the country, but the people are wonderful." (Reply to this) (Parent)