As A.J. walked in the room, he saw Carol sitting on the end of the bed in a hospital gown. She was looking down at the floor. He could tell that she was in some deep thinking.
"Hey," A.J. said.
"Hey," Carol replied.
"What are you thinking about?" A.J. asked.
"Just things," Carol said. "I've reached a decision... " Carol was about to finish her sentence when Dr. Lattimore walked in the room.
"Hello Carol. I'm Dr. Lattimore. I understand you have been sexually assaulted and is here for an examination," Dr. Lattimore said.
"Yes," Carol answered.
"Now it would help me a lot if you could lie down," she said. Carol lied down as A.J. pulled up a chair next to the bed. Carol took A.J.'s hand and held it. He smiled. Carol smiled back. She began to look into A.J's eyes. This was the first time she actually looked into his eyes. He has such beautiful eyes. Carol thought. As she looked deep into his eyes, she realized something. Oh My God! I'm in love with him! Carol thought.
"All done!" Dr. Lattimore said after what seemed like forever to both Carol and A.J. Carol stood up. You can change back into your clothes right in there. And you'll have your results in about one to two weeks," she said.
"Thank you, Dr. Lattimore," Carol said as she walked into the bathroom. Dr. Lattimore walked out of the room leaving A.J. in the room waiting for Carol.
After about 10 minutes, Carol walked out of the bathroom, with her regular clothes. Carol and A.J. then walked out the door of the room and in A.J.'s car.
"A.J.? Could you drive me over to Tuscany?" Carol asked. "I want to talk to Gayle."
"Sure," A.J. said as he drove out of the hospital parking lot.
As they arrived at Tuscany, Carol opened the door and walked out.
"You can leave if you want. I'll just take a cab to your house," Carol said to A.J.
"No, that's okay, I'll wait. Just let me park this car," A.J. said.
"Okay," Carol answered right before she walked into Tuscany. She saw Steve Sitting at the bar. Steve was Gayle's husband. Steve turned around and saw Carol. She could see the surprised expression on his face.
Carol waved and smiled at him. He got up from his seat and walked over to her.
"Carol! I haven't seen you in so long," Steve said he hugged her. "How have you been?"
"I'm fine. Thank you," Carol answered.
"That's good. You look great!" he said.
"Thanks, you do, too," Carol said. "Um... is Gayle here? I really need to talk to her."
"Yeah. She's right in the office," Steve said. "I'll get her for you."
"Thank you," Carol said. Steve then walked into the back. A.J. then walked through the doors.
"Hey. Talk to Gayle yet?" A.J. asked her.
"No, Steve, her husband, went to get her for me," Carol said. Gayle then walked through the doors that Steve walked through the other time. Steve was right behind her.
"Hey," Gayle said.
"Hey," Carol said. "Steve, this is A.J. He's a friend of mine,"
"Hello, A.J." Steve greeted.
"What's up Steve," A.J. said.
"Could we talk in private?" Carol asked.
"Sure," Gayle said as they walked into the office.
"You love her, don't you?" Steve said to A.J.
"Huh?" A.J. said not knowing where that statement came from.
"Just admit it man. I can tell by the way you look at her," Steve said.
"Fine I'll admit. I love Carol. Just don't tell her. I don't want to go weird on me," A.J. said.
"Your secret's safe with me," Steve said.
"Thank you," A.J. said.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Gayle asked as they sat down on the couch in the office.
"Well, first off, I want to say that I'm sorry," Carol said
"Sorry? For what?" Gayle asked.
"For not being a friend to you these past two months," Carol said. "For not being at your wedding."
"It's okay. I know it wasn't your fault. It was that dildo, Scott's fault. I understand," Gayle said.
"I'm just so sorry," Carol said.
"Could you do me a favor? Stop saying your sorry. You're always thinking that something is your fault," Gayle said. Carol nodded. They then began to embrace in a hug. Carol then pulled away.
"That's not all though," Carol said. "I left Scott."
"Good for you," Gayle said. "How did it happen?"
"He raped me," Carol said as a single tear fell from her eye.
"Oh my God!" Gayle said. "I'm so sorry."
"Yeah me too," Carol said.
"Did you go to the hospital for an examination?" Gayle asked.
"Yeah. I went today. A.J. convinced me to go," Carol said. "He's so sweet."
"Good," Gayle said.
"There's more though," Carol said. "I'm in love with A.J."
"What?" Gayle said. "But you just left Scott. Are you sure?"
"Yes. As sure as I can be," Carol said.
"Are you sure you just aren't on the rebound?" Gayle asked.
"Yeah. I realized something today. I stopped loving Scott before I met A.J. Before Scott raped me." Carol started. "I didn't leave him because I was scared. Can you believe it? I was actually scared to leave. My relationship with Scott was the only long term relationship, I had."
"I understand what you mean," Gayle said.
"Could you please not tell anyone that I love A.J.?" Carol said. Gayle laughed.
"Of course," Gayle said.
"I'm glad we're best friends again," Carol said
"Me too. I missed our talks," Gayle said.
"I think, it's about time me and A.J. left. You and Steve have a restaurant to run," Carol said. They both walked out of the office. Carol and A.J. then left Tuscany.