This Is Just A Dream

He smiled and raised his bottle. "Cheers," he said in agreement and took a swig.

Jess smiled and took a drink, sighing when the bottle released from her lips. "So, how bored did you get in the ER waiting room?"

"Pretty bored," he sighed, smiling sheepishly. "The kids really like you, though. You're welcome to come every day, if you want. I just have to let the doctors know, for security reasons," he smiled.

Jess smiled. "Alright.. I'll come by as much as I can..." She smiled, leaning against the bar. There was an awesome band tonight, singing alot of 80s music. No one else was at the bar, so she finally got to really talk with him. "Eric, can I ask you something?"

"Of course. What is it," he asked, looking at her.

"Okay, don't take this offensive or anything.. How in the world are you single? How do manage that? I mean, women should be throwing themselves at you... How d'you get out of that? You should be in a good, very strong relationship right now... Yet, you're not.. Why?" She didn't know what had urged her to say that, but she was kind of glad she did.

He laughed. "Well, usually the only places I go are the hospital, the grocery store, and the general market. I don't go out much, and it's not good to start a relationship at work. Not that I'd want to. Those women are as horrible as the old men," he shook his head. "I guess I just wasn't really looking," he shrugged with a smile.

Jess smiled. "Okay, good. I was gonna say... So, since you rarely get out from the store and work, what do you do when you're home?"

"I mainly sleep," he chuckled. "Working at the hospital is hard work, you know."

Jess nodded. "Wow, that seems like fun... That hospital really can wear you out though... Those kids have an endless amount of energy..."

He laughed. "Yeah, they do," he took another drink. "You seem to be in a better mood," he smiled. "Maybe it's all that sleep and hanging out with the kids."

Jess smiled, shrugging. "Probably the sleep and the kids.. I haven't felt this good in years..." And that was the truth. It had been a long time since she'd been in such a good mood.

He smiled. "I'm glad. If there's anything else I can do, don't be afraid to ask."

Jess chuckled, sitting on the bar-stool. "Eric, you're already doin more than enough..."

"Only in your opinion," he smiled. "Besides, I like to help. I want to help, in any way I can."

Jess smiled, taking another drink. "Well, I still say you're doing too much and I have to pay you back big-time..."

"No way," he chuckled, taking another drink.

[I can see them getting drunk and making out o.o; XD]

(OMG, so did I! XD)

Jess laughed. "Yes, I have to help somehow. I'm not letting you let me stay with you for free. I owe you something.."

[XD Great minds think alike!]

He sighed. "Alright, rent is a dollar a week," he chuckled. Hey, a dollar wasn't free!

[XD]

Jess laughed, rolling her eyes. "You are so goofy. I figure I should owe you more than that... But you're the landlord so what you say goes..."

"And don't you forget it," he grinned, taking another drink.

She smiled and finished off her drink, sighing. "Fine, you win. You set the rules, I follow em."

He finished his drink as well, chuckling. He felt the warmth from the alcohol running through his system.

Jess chuckled. "So, how long ya gonna stay?"

"I'm not sure. A couple hours, maybe," he smiled.