DOCTOR'S FEE INCIDENT 10

WE HAD A little party after dinner. Laura didn't refuse when Mom invited her, she had dinner with us. I want Laura to meet my family! I don't know why I feel so relieved when I'm with her. I can't even tell if I have feelings for her or not, but I am really happy when I am with her.
Haaah… Here I am again. What was wrong with Laura that the first time I saw her, she didn't leave my mind? Is it just because Irene and I are having trouble, or am I just sad and in need of some company or—aah...

They are already seated at the poolside when we get in and there is wine on the table too.
"Come on, Doc! It's your special day! You're aging! Don't you have a plan for getting married yet?" Uncle Nick asked.

I sat down, and Mom asked Laura to sit beside her. It was a nice view because we were completed. While Mom, Dad, and our closest friends are bathing in the pool, they do not join us for drinks.
"Isn't Irene coming? She's the only one not here!" Dad asked, then looked at me.
"Ah... no, she went back to Cebu," I answered.
"That's why he's so sad! Haha!" Uncle Nick made a joke.
"When do you plan to get married?" Dad asked.
"Yes, you're 29, Doc! You might dry out!" Uncle Ben is also crazy.
I just laugh at them. This is how they are: we have grown up with their teasing. It's almost like we're just friends, even though they stand as our second parents too.
"Ma, do you want a grandchild?"
"Clint, stop it! Leave Clyde alone; marriage is not to be rushed; they need to be sure of each other before gambling," Mom answered, frowning at Dad.
Dad immediately approached and hugged mom. "I know you won't let go of your baby just like that, Chari, umm.." he said softly. "Well, what if he marries someone older than him?" Dad continued.
Mom took Dad's hand away.
"As long as she doesn't cheat on my son Clint! No problem even if she's in her 30's or 40's! As long as Clyde loves her, that's all that matters to me!" Mom said.
Everyone cheered, including Claudie and Tejie, who were sitting at the poolside.
"That's it! Doc! Mom's got her blessing! Haha!" Uncle Nick laughed as he looked at Laura.
I also caught a glimpse of Laura, who was currently just laughing too.
"Why?" Dad stood in front of us. "Let's admit that it's better to take care of those who are ahead of us! Let's stop pretending! We all know that. They are the best! You, Nick? Ben! How old is your wife?" Dad pointed at them.
Uncle Nick immediately answered, "Vivi and I have a five-year age gap."
Uncle Ben followed, "Cassie and I are six."
As for Mom, "Clint and I are five."
"You, Laura?" Dad asked at the same time, "How old are you?"
"Yes? Me? Aah... 33," Laura answered shyly.
Uncle Nick stood up suddenly, "33? and you?" he pointed out to me. "29?"
"Thirty-three?" Uncle Ben counted. "Fuck! Five years! Not fuckin' bad!"
Uncle Ben answered quickly. "What's up, Daddy Clint? Are we going to bless Doc now? We must not break the tradition that the younger ones are not allowed! Haha!" He burst into laughter.
Everyone laughed out loud. I looked at Laura as if she was embarrassed because of their teasing and she couldn't smile anymore.
"Hey! Stop it! If Irene finds out that you're teasing him with Laura, what will she think?" Mom scolded.
"Ma, we were just kidding," said Dad.
"Oh fuck, Clint! Is that a joke? I thought it was true! Because Doc looks at Laura differently—Laura, right?" Uncle Nick asked. "And the way he talks—damn so sweet! I know that Doc is sweet but— not that— sweet!"

They burst out laughing again. And there they go. We're just like this when we have birthdays. We don't like big celebrations because Dad didn't raise us that way. Just a few close friends really will do. We just let the day pass and if anyone remembers, thanks. We are not like others who like to party whenever there is an occasion. Only Christmas and New Year are grand celebrations for us. There can't be one missing. Since then, we have kept everything completed, even though sometimes we have work. What we do is change schedules if that's the case. We shouldn't miss those special holidays. Not ever…
A little while later, I heard that Laura was going to the washroom.

I met her immediately, "Come, Laura, let me take you there."
None of them moved when I said that, nor even reacted. Even Dad just looked at me with a goofy smile.
"Mom, you know now, right? Your grandchild is not a pure race. We probably can't see our grandchild in the dark because they both have dark skin! Haha!" I heard Dad say.
"Stop that, Clint! What are you saying?"
Laura also heard what they said. We kept looking at each other, and…
"Laura, I'm sorry. They're just like that, so don't be mad please," I apologized while holding her hand. I really couldn't hold back anymore. I stared at her and she did the same to me. I can see that she's a bit upset because of their teasing.
"They might think, Doc, that we have something. It's embarrassing to your parents because you have a girlfriend," Laura answered weakly. "I don't want them to look at me like an---" she cuts. "I'm going home, Doc. I wanna go home."
I just looked at her, but she took her gaze away from me.
"I want to go home, Doc… Please…" Laura said again.
My phone unexpectedly rang. I picked it up from my pants pocket to take a look. I saw Laura peeping in too and surely saw whose name it was.
"Ugh! Irene!"
"Can I go home now, Doc?" she asked again.
I canceled the call and put my phone back in my pocket.
"Why didn't you answer? She's—your girlfriend, right?" She asked.
I didn't answer her. Instead, I held her hand. "Let's go, Laura. I'll take you home, so you'll feel okay."
She took her hand back from my grip. "Thank you," she said.
June_Thirteen