Journey

Home Sweet Home

I put the yearbooks away, and went to check on Esme. I have been worried about her since I left, but I also was wanting to avoid the whole conference thing. I can hear the theme music to Thor playing in the background.

I walked down the hall to her room, to find her door open, vomit all over her umade violet bed sheets, as well as her midnight blue comforter. More concerningly Esme is nowhere to be found, so I decide to start screaming aloud her and Lexi's name. I start to check and go through the house. Eventually I reach the kitchen and out my purse and keys on the island we use for a table, as I do this I uncover a note saying,

Hey Gracie, June 1

I wanted to write you a note so you

did not worry, but I took Esme to

Doctor O'Neily since you were not there

to assess. Do not worry, she is probably

fine, just text when you are finished

with the meeting and I will call you later.

I already called in sick at work, it was

unrealistic to go today with everything.

Jackie is at the groomers, FYI.

-Cam

Suddenly, I hear the keys jingling and the door swing open. Jackie comes tumbling through the door to greet me, barking and tail wagging upward. She is so happy, just what I like to see. I crouch down to hug and pet her with smiles. Cam comes in with the doctors orders, prescriptions, ice cream, and salads. Perfect, because I got the soda, water and coffee. Following Cam is the very visibly sicking Esme, I hope she took the elevator to the 9th floor today and not us the stairs as her exercise.

"Hey guys, I literally just got home to read your message or I would have called. How are you Esme, I was worried." Is what I break the ice with.

Cam answers, "You were right she does have the flu and a viral stomach bug. I know right, fun for all parties involved."

I smile and gesture towards Esme as I speak, "I will boil your sheets clean, until then Cam will get the couch set up temporarily. It looks like we have plenty of snacks and geeky, cheesy movies to watch while we can both still take care/hangout with you today. I am thinking girly girl activities that become an inside joke kind of mission. Y'all with me?"

They both say, "Oh, yeah. Sounds fun."

I motivate, "Okay then. Break, goooo team!"

While the sheets are boiling and Esme's room now sanitized, Cam set up the living room and I made my way to the kitchen to prep the snakes and temporarily put the ice cream in the freezer. Es was just sitting on an isolated stool hacking up a lung, one of the hardest parts of medicine, watching your patients suffer. I absolutely hate it. This scene, no matter what is happening is sickening and atrocious.

I fix the snacks as Cam finishes the sitting area and hooks up the only television in the house. Cam waves her hand in an 'All aboard' type of motion. Esme make her way over to her designated spot and I bring the snacks on my way over to the unprotected majority of the coach. Cam and I look at each other and start the sick and must cornily cheer up mode in, 3...2...1...goal! We both make our way to opposite sides of Esme.

"We have got peach rings, chocolate caramel M&M's, skittles, funyuns, tea, root beer soda, and of coarse flavored sparkling water. On the non-edible side of things we have all the classics to our group including the TV, no playing Pride & Prejudice and a stack of surprise movies still waiting. Also, on the geeky side of things we have 'Pride and Prejudice' by Austen the novel, 'Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' the novel, 'The False Prince' the novel, 'Anne of Green Gables' the novel, as well as many many more. As you can see, the books are organized by category and year 5 books high and 5 books long. The movies are in the front portion of the coffee table the same fashion. You can thank Mr. Volario for that idea.The food is on those three folding tables so pick what you like and get a move on. Now activities will be saved for a little later. However, are you ready to get this girls day started?" Cam and I say in enthusiastic unison. We have been friends for way to long.

Esme says hoarsely, "OF COARSE!"

We all grab snacks and our fleece blankets done in our own favorite colors. Mine is a mix of navy blue, evergreen green, medium grey and pearl white. Cam's blanket is colored forest green, sky blue, teal and yellow. Esme's is royal, but deep purple, midnight blue, red and black. Then we lean back on our matching throw pillows that says,

"Fluent 100% in Sarcasm, it is a true art form for us Nerds."

The background of the pillow was black and the font white. We set our phone down on the books in front of us on vibrate, and Cam grabs the remote and presses play. All three of us plunge in to the attention-grabbing, romantic hours of the 2005 version of Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice,' as we eat our chocolate and drink our sparkling water. The three of us agreed we should start healthier, and eventually ease into the great plunge of utter unhealthiness and regret later, when we are more likely to pass out from exhaustion.

Hours pass and we finally finish in tears of joy the film. All of us were totally rooting for our own couples, but personally I was rooting for Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. I think Lexi was voting for Jane Bennet (her elder sister) and Mr. Bingley. If I had to guess, I would say Es was hoping someone nerdy who understood Mary Bennet (her younger sister) would come along, however we all were.

Then, all of the sudden my phone buzzes and I see the people are calling me about my MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), and I light up and tell the girls.

They hurriedly, yet excitedly say, "Answer, answer, what are you waiting for?"

I quickly answer, put it on speaker phone and say, "Hello."

The people answer, "Hello, I am doctor Meredith Green. I am am looking for a Miss Cordelia Desiree. May I speak with her please?"

I reply, "Yes, ma'am you are talking to her. How can I help you?"

Doctor Green continues, "I was just calling to confirm that you were aware that you scored a total of 515 of 528 on your MCAT, and we would like to help advise you on how to continue in your application progress to medical school. The is a very impressive score by the way. I heard that you called a couple of days ago with questions, and I wanted to assist you as much as possible."

I confirmed, "Yes, I the papers in the mail yesterday, and then I called you about how best to go about my application progress. I was also hoping for a reference if you do not mind, since I volunteered there on vacation and in the summer."

Dr. Green enthusiastically beams back, "Well of course I would not mind in the least. I should have it done for you by 5AM tomorrow, and then we can have a quick conference and bring your questions with you. Keep being curious, good work and good luck! See you tomorrow if you can make it."

I responded, "I can absolutely make it, thank you so much, bye."

I end the call. After I look up from the phone with the biggest grin across my face. Cam and I grab hands and start jumping and cheering with all of our might. They both congratulated me.

I had already grabbed applications to ten medical school, two of them were ivy league (Yale and Harvard), and the other 8 were not far from the top. They were expensive, but my parents always help a little financially. I hate that they do it, but I could not manage without them. I have each application filled out and check down to the -t. I just need someone to review it and give me advice, as well as another recommendation. Which is why I called Dr. Green, who is like the biggest mentor to me since I volunteered there.

"We should celebrate once Esme is up to it and we are all not over-something, like tired or worked, et cetera." Lexi chimes.

In unison Es and I respond, "It is a plan then."

I alone continue, "Until then we need to put in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and grab some soda and more snacks, but possibly start reading a novel."

They answer, "Well, that sounds like a plan."

We continue that same pattern until about 10 PM, when we start playing games. We set the bedtime to 11:45PM at maximum. This is because we are adults and have to be responsible, which includes going to work. Es has to work from home while she is sick just to keep up unfortunately. Cam has offered to cover for all my chores and get Es situated tomorrow morning for me, which I gladly took.

We start a game of Dare or Tell One of your Darkest Secrets. A game we play because we pretty much know all there is about each other. So much so we often complete each other's sentences, know what one is thinking, you know the BFF usual.

To determine who goes first we play one round Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot! as always. Cam get the first turn when we finish.

Es and I banash Cam to the bathroom for a short time span while we consult each other. After about five minutes we summon her back to give her her choice.

I speak for both Es and I when I say, "So dare, or one of your darkest secrets you promised to take to the grave?" I attempt to add the whole mysterious fortune-teller face when narrating, but I inevitably fail leading her to start laughing, with Es soon following.

She answers, " Surprise me."