Page 31 of Cinematic Destinies
“It’s my favorite city too,” he said.
“Were your parents disappointed that you didn’t move back home after medical school?”
“Big time,” Khalil replied. “My father was gutted. My parents’ ophthalmology practice is only two miles from their house. My father always wanted me to set up a shingle next door. Being a small-time doctor in small-town middle America wasn’t exactly my dream. It was a little rough trying to explain it to him. He felt like I was criticizing his choices, or looking down on him, when really I was just trying to explain they weren’t my choices.”
“I can see how that could be tough.”
“The truth is I’m enormously grateful to him. In many ways, I wanted to be like him—his work ethic, drive, care for his patients, and he’s always there for his family. There’s no one I respect more than him, and of course my mother.”
“How did your mother react when you decided to stay in New York?”
“She understood. She grew up in a city. Only moved to the boonies for my dad. It turns out it suits her. She lovesworking at a small local practice where you get to know your patients and their families. But my mom’s worldly in her own way, different from my dad. Loves visiting me. She hasn’t forgotten what city life is like. Plus, I think she’s been hoping I’ll meet someone and settle down. My folks met in their residency program, so . . .”
“She thought you might too.”
He nodded. “It’s not just my parents. Truthfully, I’ve always thought I’d end up with a fellow doctor. Common interests. Someone who understands the profession.” His pace slowed as he spoke. “Someone with whom I could share everything. A partner.”
The air suddenly felt thick as they sat, gazing at each other. Eventually, Khalil broke the silence. “I’m sorry. I’m rambling. You asked about my parents.” Betty smiled sheepishly and took a sip of wine, her fair cheeks turning rosy, and he continued, “As an only child, I do feel bad sometimes that I don’t live closer to them. I’m hoping to visit more once we finish our residency.”
“It’s hard to have much of a life outside of the hospital with our schedule.”
“For two people who moved to New York because it’s our favorite city, we really don’t take advantage of it.”
“Nonsense,” she said, holding up the container of glass noodles. “This is very New York.”
He smiled. “You know what I mean. We haven’t seen much except the inside of the hospital and each other’s apartments. We’ve been talking about going to a Broadway show forever, but . . .”
“We never do it. Always end up working.”
“Hey, how about I check the schedule at the hospital and get tickets for the next night we both have off?” he proposed. “We could clean up, put on nice clothes, and see a show. Maybe even catch dinner beforehand. You know,like people do. I hear there are pretheater dinner specials all over Times Square.”
Betty giggled. “You mean be like real people with a life, out in public?”
“Exactly.”
“I’m in.”
Khalil grinned from ear to ear, picked up his chopsticks, and took a bite of chicken. “Holy shit,” he wheezed. “That’s hot.”
KHALIL PLACED THE WORD “XRAY”on the Scrabble board. “So, with the double letter score onxand the triple word score, that’s sixty-six points for my little four-letter friend.” He jumped up and began his silly victory dance, shaking his arms up in the air and moving his pelvis from side to side.
“You’re the worst,” Betty moaned, trying to suppress the smile creeping onto her face.
“I’m awesome,” he protested, shimmying a few more times before plopping back on the couch with an air of triumph.
She took a pillow and playfully threw it at him.
“Don’t be a sore loser,” he said in a mocking tone.
“Don’t be a bad winner,” she countered with an exaggerated pout.
They burst into laughter. Then Khalil said, “It’s late. I should probably go home. I’ll come back in the morning to help you finish the bathroom floor.”
Betty took a breath. “Seems silly for you to go back and forth, especially so late. I can set up the couch for you if you want to stay over. If you’d be comfortable.”
“This couch is a lot better than the cot in the on-call lounge. Are you sure it isn’t any trouble?”
“Of course not. Let me go grab the extra bedding.”
