My Hometown Love

Chapter 18 – Starting Over

Kevin’s P.O.V.

It’s been four days since Jake and Maria left for their honeymoon, which happens to be the same amount of days that Lexie agreed to hear my side of the story and give me a chance to earn her trust.

I spend the morning treating patients in the clinic while catching up on my charts in my free time. I had to take some time off for the wedding, so I was trying to catch up with all my work.

My watch beeped, indicating that it was time for my lunch break. I cleaned up my paperwork and headed to the cafeteria. I grabbed a lunch tray and headed to the table with my fellow colleagues.

“Kev-o!”, Doctor Mike Ramsey cried out as soon as he sees me approaching the table. 

“How was the wedding?”, he asked as soon as I sat down.

“It was amazing. Perfect even.”, I reply before feeding myself a spoonful of chocolate pudding.

“Come on. Let us see some pictures.”, Doctor Lucy Wong said as she drummed the table with the hands.

I reluctantly pull out my phone and tap on the first wedding picture I took before passing it to Lucy. I busy myself with my lunch as I hear some “Ooh’s” and “Aahs” as the three of them huddle over my phone, scrolling through the pictures. 

“WOAH! Who’s the hottie?”, Mike yells out, alerting me that they have scrolled too far and they are now seeing the pictures of Lexie and me.

“Okay, that’s enough. Picture time’s over.”, I say as I yank my phone back from them and shove it back into my coat pocket.

“Well well well. That was interesting. So, who’s the lady?”, Dr. Tom Sakey asks.

I look up to see all three of them staring at me, waiting for my response.

“It’s Jake’s sister. She was the maid of honor”, I reply, to get them off my back.

“Oooh… Best Man and Maid of Honor huh?”, Mike replied teasingly.

“Anything else going on between you two?”, Tommy asks, interrogatingly.

“No, and will you guys stop interrogating me? Nothing is going on between me and Lex. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m trying to have my lunch here.”, I reply before they make me spill the beans.

“You and Lex, huh? Okay, okay, we’ll stop. Too bad, nothing is going on. You guys look great together.”, Lucy says squinting at me as she sips her drink.

We continue with our lunch before getting back to our shifts. I spend the afternoon running samples to the lab and had to wait for the results to be produced. I pull out my phone and text Lexie.

Kevin: Hey you.

Lexie: Hey yourself. What’s up?

Kevin: I was wondering if you’re free tomorrow to meet for brunch?

Lexie: Yeah sure. Whereat?

Kevin: I don’t think you’ll know the place. So, I’ll pick you up around 11 am?

Lexie: Okay? See you then.

Kevin: See ya.

“Dr. Walker?”, the lab assistance calls out to me as he hands me my results.

I resume my work, as usual, counting the hours until I get to meet Lexie.

*************

Lexie’s P.O.V

I guess I’m meeting Kevin for brunch tomorrow. I tap my phone on my chin as I contemplate what to wear tomorrow. I suddenly realize that I knew exactly who to ask for advice about this. I quickly dial a number and wait as it rings.

Lexie: “Hey, Priya. How are you? How’s your Mom?”

Priya: “Hey, Lex. I’m good and Mom is getting better. How was the wedding? Sorry I couldn’t make it with my situation.”

Lexie: “It was beautiful. Don’t worry, I understand your situation. As soon as I can, I will drop by your place and show you all the pictures. Actually, I called to ask for some advice.”

I start to fill Priya in with all that has happened since I last saw her and proceed to ask her about what to wear.

Priya: “Wow. Your life sure has been eventful. As for your brunch, I recommend that you wear the yellow summer dress I saw in your closet the other day. You look lovely in that, plus its perfect brunch attire.”

Lexie: “Perfect choice. Thank Pri. I’ll let you know how it goes okay?”

Priya: “Okay, Lex. Have fun and don’t do anything I’ll do. Byeeee!”

I hang up the call laughing at Priya’s last sentence. I walked to my closet and pulled off the dress from the rack. I carefully hang it up behind the door, ready for tomorrow.

“Lexie, honey! Dinner’s ready!”, I hear my mom call from the kitchen below.

I turn off the lights in my room and hurry down the stairs. I walk into the kitchen to see a delicious spread on the table.

“Ouhhh…Lasagna and Garlic Bread. It looks lovely, Mom.”, I say as I pull out a chair at the table and sit down.

“Well. Dig in then.”, Dad says as he places a piece of each on my plate.

We start eating our dinner in silence but I can’t help but feel a tad of loneliness and quietness as I glance to see Jake and Maria’s seats empty.

“So Lexie dear, do you want to do something tomorrow?”, Mom asks as we load the dishwasher.

“Actually, I have plans with Kevin.”, I blurt out as I bend down to place a bowl into the dishwasher.

“Oh?”, I hear Dad say before I stand back up, realizing my parents were weirdly looking at each other.

“Yeah. He’s picking me up tomorrow and taking me to brunch. Is there a problem?”, I ask curiously.

“Oh no no, honey. You two go ahead.”, Mom says as she closes the door of the dishwasher and pats me on the back.

“Have fun!”, Dad shouted as I was climbing the staircase back to my room.

I entered my room and closed the door, puzzled about what I just encountered.

*************

Kevin’s P.O.V

I drove up the Coopers’ driveway and parked my car. I rang the doorbell and waited for Lexie to open the door. I had just glanced down to look at my watch when I hear the door open. Instead of Lexie, I look up to see Mr. Cooper at the door.

“Oh. Good morning Mr. Cooper.”, I say with a sudden nervousness that I haven’t had whenever I spoke to him before.

“Kevin. Good morning. I hear that you’re taking my daughter out for brunch.”, he says in a serious voice.

“Yeah? We’re just going around to the Doc Griffin Park.”, I replied with a sudden urge to call him ‘Sir’.

“Well, have fun then.”, he said suddenly with a small laugh as he clasped my shoulder before disappearing inside the house.

I let out a small breath that I didn’t know I was holding. It felt really weird because I have been to this house a million times but this time it felt different. I was freaking nervous!

I turned my back towards the door to take a relaxing breath as I put a supporting hand on a nearby tree.

“Ready?”, I hear Lexie say behind me.

I turn around to see her wearing the yellow summer dress I first saw her in weeks ago. The same dress that makes her look like a ray of sunshine.

“Ready.”, I say as I walk to the car to open the door for her.

We spend the 10-minute drive to the park in silence as we watch the town pass by. I enter the park’s parking lot and park the car.

“We’re having brunch at the park?”, Lexie asks me as soon as she exits the car.

“Yep!”, I reply as I pull out a picnic basket from my car trunk.

“Since the last time we wanted to get coffee ended up in a disaster, this time we’re having a picnic brunch.”, I said as I wiggled the basket in front of her.

“Oh.”, Lexie replied, much to my worry.

“I hope you don’t mind? I’m sorry I should have discussed it with you first, right? It’s okay we can always go somewhere else.”, I spit out nervously as I desperately try to fix this situation.

“Are you kidding me? This is perfect!”, Lexie replies enthusiastically, lifting off this huge burden of worry from my shoulders.

I lead the way towards the park until we stop under a big oak tree. I get the cloth out of the basket and spread it over the dewy grass. I sit down and stretch my legs as I pat the ground next to me, inviting Lexie to take a sit.

We spend a few quiet minutes enjoying our scenery and the sounds of a silent peaceful morning.

*************

Lexie’s P.O.V

I heard the doorbell ring just as I was putting on my cherry-colored lip-gloss. Yes, I still use lip-gloss. I collected my stuff and hurried down the stairs to see Dad weirdly chuckling to himself as he walks away from the open front door and sits in his recliner chair with a newspaper.

I popped my head in the kitchen to say goodbye to Mom and quickly plant a peck on Dad’s cheek as I make my way out the door. I step outside to a heavy breathing Kevin in a black collared polo t-shirt, leaning on a tree.

I remain curious and oblivious to our destination as I stare out the window watching the town pass by. My mind starts racing with nervous thoughts of questions like if this was a date or if I should pay my share of the brunch.

Eventually, we stopped at a park where Kevin pulled out a wooden basket from his car. He so adorably started to fumble nervously as he assumed that I wasn’t too happy with his plan. I could see how relieved he was when I told him that I loved it.

I was still in awe and disbelief at this enchanting park picnic brunch idea that Kevin planned. To be honest, I felt a little special too. As we sat there in the quiet park, I thought of the time we met Jimmy at Central Park while picnicking and I felt a tug on my heartstrings. I missed them dearly.

“Hey, you okay?”, Kevin asked fearfully as he noticed my demeanor change.

“Huh? Oh, yea. I’m fine. Just thought of my friends back in New York.”, I replied focusing back my attention on Kevin.

“Oh sorry. You know you haven’t told me about your New York experiences.”, Kevin said.

He proceeded to pull out a little pitcher of orange juice and 2 glasses. He poured some in mine and passed it to me.

“Yeah. There is so much to talk about. But, that’s a story for another time. Today is all about you.”, I reply as I take a sip from the glass.

“Well, I don’t know where I should begin with.”, Kevin replies sighing deeply.

“Why don’t you start with the night of the graduation dance?”, I reply trying to help him compose himself.

“Well, it was six years ago, the night of your graduation dance and I had just been asked by Coach to help chaperone your dance.”