Day 1

Sometimes referred to as unity.

There is only one you and one me and together we would make one amazing couple.

And one more day – today.

I never want this day to end.

Chris.

No more games. No more hiding. Chris signed the last note. This would be the last time Chris would ever see Eric and so if there was a slight chance Eric took another position somewhere close perhaps Chris might see him again.

By early morning a buzz of excitement filled the surgery. Perhaps due to the interns leaving or the party planned after work in the reception area. Chris found the excitable atmosphere enjoyable.

“If only it could always be this cheerful.” Chris had mentioned to Martha.

Left in charge to prepare the party, Chris ensured everyone would be attending and organised the food and drink during his lunch break.

Chris ventured to the shopping centre across the road and bought the necessary items. The excitement he experienced while at the surgery faded as he pushed the shopping cart around the isles. The sense of loss dwelled on the surface of Chris’s thoughts. He’d barely seen Eric that morning; he’d appeared busier than either of the other two interns, and Chris wondered why that was. There was certainly a sense of casualness around the staff, yet Eric seemed too far from enjoying his last day. It worried Chris.

On his return to the surgery, Dr Martin and Eric were talking a few meters down from the lunchroom door. It had been the closest Chris had been to Eric all day and delighted to see him, Chris was surprised when Eric turned his way and back again without acknowledging him. Not until Chris entered the lunchroom did the tightness in his chest threaten to bring him to tears. The looked on Eric’s face appeared foreboding and it frightened Chris to realise he may have made a mistake.

With the food and drink stacked in the fridge, Chris fought hard to brush off Eric’s expression. Chris was sure it had nothing to do with him. But doubt had started to creep into Chris’s thoughts and it pained him.

When the door opened and Eric came in Chris was a mess. Those few moments prior had worked Chris’s imagination up into a frenzy and he couldn’t stop the negative thoughts. Not one to jump to conclusions, Chris found it hard to think otherwise.

“Chris,” Eric said but was cut off as the door opened again.

Cindy entered and upon seeing Chris, said, “Chris, there you are, Martha is looking for you.”

“Ok thanks.”

Chris passed Eric without looking at him and left the lunchroom quickly, returning to his desk. When Chris asked Martha what she needed him for, she gave him a quizzical glance and then the penny dropped and he realised what Cindy was up too. His heart sank further and murmuring to Martha to never mind he stared at his screen fighting the overwhelming urge to hide.

The afternoon was torture for Chris; he had not seen Cindy or Eric at all and was too frightened to ask if anyone had heard anything because he really did not want to know. By the end of the day, with the doors to the surgery locked, Martha helped Chris set up the reception for the farewell party. The emotional turmoil Chris had put himself through had finally caught up with him. Exhausted, a headache threatening to progress to a migraine and no desire to be around anyone, Chris stood on the outer of the celebrations waiting for the opportunity to slip away.

When Dr Max called everyone’s attention, Chris saw his opportunity. At the back of the group of twenty-two people gathered, Chris hoped to disappear during the speeches.

“Well we’re here of course to thank the three doctors that have been here the last six months but I also have some news to share while we are all gathered.”

“Maybe he’ll announce his retirement.” Martha murmured over her shoulder towards Chris. Chris huffed at Martha’s hopeful comment. Chris stared at Dr Max well aware that Eric, standing beside Dr Max, was looking directly at him.

Dr Max continued, “I’m pleased to announce my retirement.”

Silence followed and Chris made a quick glance toward Martha, whose mouth hung open before she replied, “You're joking.”

Several nurses looked at Martha stunned in the manner she had replied, and then back at Dr Max, almost sure he was joking.

“No, I am not joking. I am retiring as of now and as I didn't want any fanfare over my departure I'd like to inform you as of Monday, Dr Marshall will be my replacement.”

It took another moment of silence before it sank in and everyone began to clap, congratulating Dr Marshall and awkwardly farewelling Dr Max. Chris watched Martha give Dr Max a bear hug and his reluctance to embrace her back. A crowd gathered around Eric and Chris found himself shell shocked.

Eric wasn't leaving. He'd be back at work on Monday. On Monday… Chris let that sink in. Chris fled the reception area and found himself in the lunchroom, head pressed against the cold locker door. Chris struggled between screaming for joy and dying of embarrassment. Not only would he now face Eric over the notes, they would be working together.

As his eyes gazed downward, Chris spied the small triangular piece of paper poking out the bottom of his locker. Chris took hold and slowly pulled out an A4 paper. The writing on the paper was immediately recognised as Eric’s and Chris’s heart began to race. He stepped back, knocked the back of the chair, before perching against it as he read.

These last twenty days could have been the worst if not been for your notes.

Day twenty ago I found out my partner of four years took a position interstate and didn’t tell me he had applied for it until after he got it. I assumed he simply expected me to follow after I finished here but it turns out he intended to move on without me.

If not for your notes those first few days after would have seen me leave and never return. If that had happened then Dr Max would never have approached me with the offer of taking over his position at the surgery. I’ve known for two weeks that I would be staying but was forbidden to say anything. So many times I wanted to tell you but everything happened so quickly I've barely had time to think.

Every night I would add your note for the day to my fridge so that I could see them when I woke.

I was eager to get to work to find your next note. I can’t tell you how worried I was for you last week when you were unwell. And then when you weren’t at work on Friday. I knew there would be no note, and I was selfish when I didn’t find one. I wanted there to be one but when it didn’t come I worried about you all day.

This week and I found you near naked in the bathroom. How I managed to resist temptation I shall never know. You were so beautiful but I needed you to continue with your notes but as the week continued, it became harder and harder to resist you and this morning–your last note–I had to tell you.

I think I might be falling for you.

Chris reread the last line. His heart racing a million miles a minute. To his side he caught the glimpse of movement and looking quickly up he saw Eric standing in the doorway. Without a word, without warning, Chris flung himself from the chair and crashed straight into Eric forcing him out into the corridor as their lips came together in a hard passionate kiss. Chris pushed Eric up against the wall, the letter screwed up in his hand as he crushed his body to Eric’s completely oblivious of their surroundings.

From nearby there came cheering and clapping and suddenly Chris pulled away breathing heavily and looked around. Everyone was standing in the corridor watching the scene and Chris groaned and buried his head into Eric’s chest. Eric ran his hand through Chris’s hair and gave a soft chuckle.

“All bets to be settled tonight and I don’t want this to be a regular occurrence between the two of you. Understand.” Dr Martin told them. Chris looked up at everyone and said, “Bets?”

The looks he received only made him more embarrassed, and he hugged Eric tight and again buried his face against his body.

“It’s news to me.” Eric murmured in his ear.

Chris looked up at Eric and snickered at the situation they were in.

“Come on you two, plenty of time for that sort of thing over the weekend. We have celebrating to do.”

Eric gave Chris a small squeeze around his waist and took his hand as they returned to the reception area.

Chris came to stand beside Martha and whispered, “What bet?”

Martha gave him a wicked grin and replied, “Which one of you would make the first move.”

“What!” Chris replied in shock. “You all bet on that?”

“Of course. Once I found out Dr Marshall was gay it was only a matter of time before you both got together. We didn’t know who would make the first move, so we made bets on it. And let me tell you the tension in here has been on edge these last three weeks I have no idea how any of us managed to not interfere.”

“You mean you knew he was gay, and you didn’t tell me.” Chris was shocked.

“Sweetie, you were going to work it out sooner or later and we didn’t think Dr Marshal was going to leave without saying something. The way he kept flirting with you and asking about you all the time.”

Chris stared at her, he had no idea and then he burst out laughing. He decided not to mention the notes he had been leaving Eric, nor the one Eric had left him. Those would be between the two of them.

“So what was up with Cindy? I thought she was interested in Eric?”

“Hell no, she bet against you both getting together because it annoyed her. Why, did she do something?”

“I’ll tell you all about it on Monday.”

Eric squeezed his hand to get his attention and raised his eyebrows to question his sudden laughter and conversation with Martha but Chris said, “I’ll tell you later tonight.”

Eric gave Chris a warm smile and replied, “I look forward to it.”

“That’s not all you should look forward to.” Chris insinuated and Eric squeezed his hand again and whispered, “I look forward to that too.”