Page 27 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

One of those frustrating things on the island for sure, but that wasn’t too much of his problem.

If his patients needed help and there wasn’t someone to give it to them, he’d find a way to do it himself.

Which burned him out, but he was good at his job for a reason.

Not everyone would agree with that, but nothing he could do about it either.

“I’m learning quickly how much different it is here. The short staffing situation. Troy told me that people are paid more to work here, but is it more when you pay so much for living costs?”

“Exactly,” he said. “Over the years, the island has grown a lot. The school is better, but if you want your kids in sports, that is going to be a struggle with commuting on the ferry.”

“Did you grow up in Boston?” she asked.

“I did. I had a lot of cousins in Boston and here. It’s funny, some of the wealthiest in the family lived and went to school here and had no problem with it.”

Her head went back and forth. “I’ve heard about the family dynamics some. I try not to listen to that stuff, but it’s hard.”

“Trust me,” he said. “I know. You said you left because of gossip and drama. This island can be full of it.”

“Yet you’re laughing over it,” she said. “Don’t talk about that legend thing, please.”

He looked at her grin. “You don’t want to know?”

Which sucked because it was swirling in his head now that she brought it up.

They both came here temporarily, met at work, got along, then came into the bar for a solo dinner.

Here they were talking about some deep shit on top of it.

“No,” she said. “I’m not here long enough to care.”

It wasn’t said meanly, but he got the hint loud and clear.

Too bad he would not listen to it.

“You might find you like it here,” he said. “It’s only been a few weeks. Can I ask—did you live in a big city in Indiana?”

“Fort Wayne. Big enough, but only a fraction of the size of Indianapolis. And Boston has twice the population of Indianapolis.”

“Do you like big city living? Me, I’m used to it, but boy, it’s cramped in Boston. My condo there is smaller than my house on the island, costs more, and I don’t have the view or the quiet that I do here. It’s been nice to come on the weekends when I need a break, but living here for a few months, I’m starting to realize why so many of my cousins like the slower life.”

He wasn’t sure he’d ever think that, but it wasn’t so bad.

He had the means and the funds to go to Boston quickly whenever he wanted. He could fly over rather than the ferry. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t get here; it just took some more effort.

His peace of mind was much more important to him than material possessions.

“Honestly, I like the quiet here,” she said. “Growing up, we lived outside busy areas and it was nice. When I moved into my first apartment, I can say it sucked to hear all the noises. Felt like college again.”

He laughed. “I know that feeling. The walls are pretty quiet in my condo, but you just know the action going on around you. I can see it looking out the window. The traffic is the worst. I’m close to the hospital so I end up walking more than driving because parking is just a bitch.”

“I’ve been taking the subway. I tried the buses and found the subway was better and I’ll just walk a block more. Maybe I’ll go back and forth.”

“Yeah, I could hop on the bus for the two blocks, but the truth is, might as well walk it. If the weather is bad when I leave, I get a taxi or Uber. Trust me, it’s one of those annoying things to deal with that it’s nice to not worry about here.”

If he knew the weather was going to be horrible one way in or out, he’d suck it up and drive, then look for a tight spot at the hospital.

Here, it was much more relaxing.

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