Stars don't shine without darkness

***

“Alright, well… Gifting them a picture of yourself can be taken too egocentric, unless you really know them to not take it too seriously,” he shrugged. “But who am I kidding? I’d probably do the same if I run out of ideas, so if you wanna do it, go ahead! I’m an enabler here.” Aaron wasn’t known for his picking gifts abilities, so her idea wasn’t bad at all. “Mmhmm, good point. Dos your friend loves books more than you? ‘Cause a framed picture is a nice gesture.”

Caroline laughed at the question, shrugging in response.  “I know she likes reading but I have never sat her down and given her the choice between reading and spending time with me.”  She sighed, “Why is this so hard?”  Looking around she turned back to the man, “What are you looking at?  Maybe you can be my inspiration.”

“If not that, then I’ll try my best with Toni. She’s still at that age that her parents are their whole world, so I’m sure I can get some compliments my way. Unless my man is around, then…” Then their children would focus completely on her dad. Aisha knew that, and though sometimes it’d sting a little, it was adorable to watch them interact with each other.

With a nod, they remained silent, listening to their friend. “I can only imagine, I don’t know exactly how you can deal with all of the pressure that comes with your job. But I guess people would say the same about mine– in the end, I’m just glad we’re able to do this.” It was what mattered, right? Having a day to yourself and being able to meet someone that was really important to her. It seemed to be an ideal day next to Caroline. “Toni will adore you. I can’t say the same about myself knowing that she’ll get a ton of candy,” they smiled. “But go for it, she’ll open a wide smile the moment she sees you. I’m sure! We could always have some barbecue at my place, invite a few friends and you can spend most of it apart from the adults and just enjoy Toni’s company.” Aisha could easily do the same if they were in Carol’s shoes. “And oh my– am I greedy? I promise I won’t be too good at it, the night will be all about you. And getting you some.”

Caroline totally misinterpruted Aisha’s comments and jokingly put her fingers in her ears.  “I don’t need to hear about the compliments your man pays you when you are together.”  She put her hands down and laughed, “You are just determined to make me jealous.”

She grinned, a glint in her eyes, “Of course Toni will adore me.  I’m very loveable and the candy just sweetens the deal - literally!”  She thanked the server as their drinks were put down and lifted her beer to her lips nodding at her friend’s suggestion.  “Adult barbecues are always so over rated anyway.  It always ends up with people complaining that they would have cooked that sausage better, I’m sure Toni and I would have way more fun.  Besides I doubt she is going to start telling me about a bite on her arm or the way her knee clicks when she walks but adults always want some medical advice.”  She took a long drink of her beer because she was getting way too serious.  Sitting back she just rolled her eyes at Aisha’s teasing.  “A night all about me I can handle.  I will look incredible and sexy and no one will be able to resist.....you might just have to dress in something really shapeless though and no make up, really give me a chance of getting laid!”

“Oh,” Fernanda understands with a nod, “that’s kind of fucked.” She agrees with a nod of her head, turning a corner. She chuckles slightly at the woman’s apology and shakes her head, “It’s nice being your own boss. You can set your own times.” It’s one of her favorite things about not working for anybody but herself; it gives her a sense of control over her life. “It’s right up here,” she points towards a large building resting at the end of the street, though continues to walk with her. “I hope you find what you’re looking for.” She adds genuinely, knowing the other was probably not looking forward to the ordeal. 

“You are your own boss, that sounds amazing.  It would never be possible in my line of work but the idea is one that is always there at the back of my mind.  What is it you do, if you don’t me asking?”  She really couldn’t imagine running an emergency clinic from anywhere other than the hospital but maybe once she got older she could do something less emergency based, set appointments and closer to home.  Some days it felt like a wonderful solution and then the other times she knew that she couldn’t leave the hospital any time soon, the buzz of adrenaline was just too intoxicating.

Caroline turned in surprise at the comment.  She had felt that she was inconveniencing the other so it was rather a surprise to have some kind words.  “Thanks....and I should be alright from here.  I’m in a rush just now but next time we bump into each other I’ll buy you a drink or something.”

Kiran nodded, biting his lip a little when she said she got distracted. “It’s always good to have a list of possibilities just in case,” he agreed. “Especially for loved ones that expect something yearly, it can be hard to come up with something new.” He looked at the frame himself. “It depends on how you print the photo. You could print it on canvas, then you don’t need the glass. Or replace it with plexi, that’s lighter, less likely to break as well,” he suggested.

Caroline smiled softly as the man appeared to understand her distraction.  “Buying for relatives does become so difficult.  Even my brothers are so hard to buy for now and they are at least closer to my age.”  She examined the frame as he spoke about different options, nodding at the suggestions.  “I’ve never looked at it so many ways.  The canvas would seem like the safest to post but I want to leave her the choice of changing it so I agree that replacing it with plexi would work better.”  The doctor smiled, “Now that I’m sorted do you need any help?  It only seems fair to return the favor.”

A look of skepticism took home on her features as she listened. Caroline was right. She had never been to one of these before and seeing the people around them that were in the audience as well made the fact that there was a reason she hadn’t ever so clear. Afreya tried to keep her nose from scrunching eyes falling back on her friend. “I’m going to need something much stronger than this if I am ever going to reach that point. Seems to me if these acts were that funny they wouldn’t be here,” she pointed out. “But what was wrong with your week?” 

Caroline rolled her eyes jokingly at her friend.  “Honestly where is your sense of adventure?  You need to just relax and you might actually find you enjoy yourself.  After all everyone needs to start their career somewhere.”  She reached for her glass and took a long drink before she replied to the question.  “I feel like it was nothing new.  Just long hours, too much work and not enough doctors to go round.  There was a big crash two nights ago with quite a few critical patients which took hours to deal with so while it gets the adrenaline going it is also very draining.”  There was no doubt in Caroline’s mind that she loved her work and she thrived on the adrenaline of it all but it was also exhausting.

Fernanda was natural in this part of town, so it was no surprise that her feet moved her through the streets with ease. She couldn’t say the same for Caroline, and slows down to allow the woman some time to catch up. “I just don’t think they care. Everything gets somewhere eventually.” That was her way of looking at it. “Yeah, no problem. I guess I’ve done my good deed for the day,” she deadpans, though to her, its obviously a joke. A beat passed before she extends her hand towards Caroline, “Fernanda.”

“No, they really don’t care how difficult they make people’s lives.  It wouldn’t be so bad if they kept them for like a month but they don’t.  You’ve got less than a week to collect it or they ship it back.”  This whole system was just getting on Caroline’s very frazzled nerves and she was past the point of trying to pretend otherwise.  She shook hands with the woman, memorising the name before she looked around, still no clearer on where she actually was.  “I hope I’m not keeping you from anything,” she said as she let go.  “I would hate to make you late or anything.”

π

“Not even a casual dating pool, then?  I’m sure ER-ing keeps you’re busy and all, but surely even doctors like you need to let off some steam.  I’d argue especially doctors who look like you.  Can’t all just be Grey’s Anatomy, know what I mean.”

Tommy bit his bottom lip, and then proposed,  “Right, how about this: if I help you with your gift for your mate, how about you let me take you out later this week, on a date?  Or next week, if you’re the sort who needs to plan ahead.  Get mentally prepared and that… See, I know how some people work.”  

Tommy grinned, knowing he’d try to help Caroline anyway, regardless of her response.  He raised a finger for her to wait a second, then hopped off to chat to one of the workers.  Then eventually a smiling older woman came over, and Tommy pointed at Caroline.

The woman approached Caroline and introduced herself as Melinda, shop manager.  Tommy piped up next.  “Perfect Living pairs up with them Market Organics shop down the street yeah?   To post custom gift baskets, innit.  Just tell Melinda what sort of biscuits and flowers and whatnot your mate likes, and they’ll do the rest. Package, delivery, the whole kit and kaboodle, yeah.”

Melinda motioned to the checkout counter and added,  “I have some examples you can pick from, if you’d like to see.”

Caroline’s cheeks grew flushed as Tommy spoke.  Biting her lower lip she looked away for a moment, tucking her hair behind her ear as she did.  “It’s really not as glamarous as TV makes it all appear,” she managed to mumble before her eyes widened at his offer.  “Oh....erm....well....”  Wow she really was doing well at forming a response here she thought. Life and death emergencies were a piece of cake but apparently being invited on a date in a gift shop totally threw her.  Before she could actually reply Tommy disappeared off to the side and she immediately felt her stomach drop.  Had she taken too long to respond and he had changed his mind? 

Suddenly things happened and Tommy had not only got her some good help but come up with the ideal solution.  Caroline looked between the woman and Tommy in surprise, a huge grin on her face as she felt so happy that this errand would be achieved and if she was honest with herself the idea of a date with the man was something that she was already looking forward to.  

She turned to Melinda with a nod, “That sounds perfect.  I’ll come and have a look.  If you could just give me a minute first.”  As the shop managed returned to the counter Caroline turned to face Tommy, “How could I possibly say no to a date when you have gone to all this effort for me?   This seems like an ideal solution to send.  Are you sticking around while I order or should I just give you my number and we could talk later?”

“Sweet isn’t a word you’d use to talk about me when I was younger, but well, that’s who I am now.” Battling their eyelashes at Caroline, the action vanished away once Aisha heard the woman’s following words. “I– what? Oh I have to leave, even my last neighbor had something nice to say about me. You’re being mean now,” a brief pout was displayed at Caroline but who could they fool? Aisha was having too much fun to even attempt to continue that act. “I should probably message my husband, see if he can share nice things about me and boost up my ego.” Aisha didn’t know that they would be able to create a good foundation in Australia the moment they moved alongside their family, yet there they were. Caroline was one of the great friends Aisha had in life and would hope to keep around.

“Next time… there’s always a next time, whether you’ll be here with me or not, you know? But in case you’re not, I’ll make sure to let you know if I liked the chicken burger.” Glad that Carol was on board about the idea of having beers, Aisha finally rested her back against their seat while her attention was still solely on her friend. “That I know because I miss you. You’re just as absent as I used to be when the kids were younger, before Toni was even part of our plans. I mean– not that she was planned, because that girl got us all surprised. So, yes, we deserve to have some fun.” For different reasons, they should go out and enjoy having some free time. Go through hobbies, be social, anything. “Sure, I can leave Toni with my husband or one of the kids. I’ll make time for it, just let me know when your job is not keeping you from going out with me and we’ll make it happen! I’ll try my best to help you flirt with others, I like to assume I’m good at it.”

Caroline held her serious gaze at Aisha as her friend kept the joke going.  It felt so good to just be able to have a laugh and be silly and know that neither of them was going to take it seriously or get offended in any way.  “Yeah, surely hubby has like a checklist of nice things that he can refer to on occasions such as this.  That is definitely the way to go!”

“Isn’t that what little kids give to their moms on Mother’s Day?” Reina gives the other woman an ashamed smile in a lieu of an apology, her mouth always running miles ahead her brain “What I meant is, it would work for someone that loves you very much” yet again, any gift would work for someone that loves you very much, of course, Reina doesn’t add that to the conversation “If it helps, I always tried to give useful things, objects I can surely see the other person using”.

Caroline put the photo frame back with a soft sigh, “You are right.  It’s a strange gift to give a friend, especially one that you haven’t seen in ages.  No matter how good friends you used to be.”  Looking around the doctor turned back with a shrug, “That’s the problem though.   I have no idea what would be useful and I wanted to try and give something that looked like I had put some thought into it rather than get something like a gift voucher.”  Running her fingers through her hair Caroline groaned, “Ugh, I really do hate shopping.”

He smiled, glad his sharing of information was appreciated. He felt like it might’ve been too much of a personal story, at least for his taste, but she seemed to enjoy it. “They could use an update,” he agreed. The question took him slightly off guard, so he shook his head quickly. “No, years ago, when we were still in college,” he admitted. He wasn’t so sure the picture would hold the same meaning now, wasn’t sure if his parents looked at it and saw a past they could never hold again, or simply had it removed from the house completely. “So… are you getting the photo frame for a friend, or your parents?”

Caroline smiled in understanding.  Memories were important as they captured that moment and it would be rare to be able to recreate that impression or feeling by repeating an action.  Her eyes widened at the question and she laughed awkwardly, “Yeah sorry I got a bit distracted there.  This gift is for my friend but it’s always good to chalk up ideas for later for the parents.  I swear it gets harder to find something for them each year.”  She glanced around for a moment, “I just need something light enough to post so I thought the frame might be a good idea although with the glass it’s probably not so sensible.”

Shopping for housewarming gifts used to be so much more fun in the past. Sara wondered when did she lose her willpower to go through all of these little house trinkets and cute little things in order to find someone a gift that showed that she cared about their new house, but not too much. Just enough.

Sara was taking in the scent of a candle when someone spoke nearby and the brunette, noticing there were just the two of them in that hallway, figured she was the one being talked to. “I wouldn’t say egocentric, but why would you? Unless they’re family or a significant other, people tend to read into these sorts of things.”

Caroline faltered for a moment as she looked between the the woman and the photo frame.  “I just thought it might be nice...I mean I was thinking of a photo of us both, not just me,” she explained.   “Maybe I’ll just keep looking.  It’s so hard to find something that’s not just extra junk to sit in a room and is light weight enough to post.”

Fernanda falls into step with the woman, motioning with her head for her to follow. She chuckles at her question with a shrug, “You never know. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover, right?” She hums, leading the woman through the street and making a right. “What’s at the warehouse, then?” Fernanda asks curiously. 

“True,” the doctor replied sharply.  If anything her job had taught her repeatedly just how true that was.  Caroline hurried along to keep up with the woman and it was clear she knew her way around this area well.  “I have a parcel to pick up.  As always they try to deliver it a really inconvenient times and then take it to a warehouse for a ridiculously short length of time before they return it.  It’s like they don’t consider people have to work,” she explained, her annoyance clear in her tone.  “Thanks for helping me though.  I’ve got less than an hour to get there before they close for the night.  I’m Caroline by the way.”