Mark of Excellence

Chapter 2

“Hey, buddy.  How’re you doing?”

“Good Case, how about you?”

“I’m doing great, and even better in the Jason department.  I still can’t believe you and I pretended to be gay and I never knew just how... oh, let’s say rewarding a gay relationship could be.”  Casey winked at Luke.

“Oh my God!  I think you’re even gayer than me.”  Luke laughed out loud.  He had been, and still was, thrilled when his oldest friend finally accepted who he really was and consequently was able to find a terrific man to share his life with.

“I didn’t know there was a scale for gayness.”  Casey smirked as he sat back in his chair.  “So where are the rugrats?  I know Ethan and Andy are mooching dinner off of your Grandma Emma, but I assumed our night at Al’s would still need side by side high chairs.”

It was good to know the thought of having the twins with them for dinner wouldn’t deter Casey, but Luke wanted to have a night to relax and not be on Dad Duty.  “Faith offered to babysit and I was more than happy to take her up on the offer.  In fact she’s keeping the twins for the night so when we finish our get together, I’ll be calling Reid and giving him the heads up to leave Memorial and get his ass home pronto.”

“I’ll just bet it’s his ass you want.”  Casey snorted, obviously amused by his own pun.

“It’s good to know I can always count on you to be the slightly crazy, and frequently inappropriate, Casey I know and love.”

“I aim to please.”

Casey and Luke both picked up the menus and then put them down within seconds.  “Why do we even bother?  We both know this menu by heart.”

“You know it, Buddy.”  Casey turned to get the waitress’ attention.  “With Reid around, you probably have a tether to this place.”

“Just about.  He eats like there’s no tomorrow, and Ethan does a pretty fair job too.  Even Bobby’s beginning to follow their lead.  It’s a good thing all of them are active enough to work it off.”

The two ordered bacon cheeseburgers, fries, and shakes.  As soon as the waitress left the table, Luke picked up the glass of water she had placed in front of him and took a sip.  He looked off to the side, thinking about Reid at work.  The past three days, since the journal article had come out, Reid had been working extremely long hours.  Luke knew he was trying to prove how invaluable he was to Memorial, although everyone but Reid seemed to understand it wasn’t really necessary.

“So, Luke, what’s got you so distracted?”  Luke started when Casey nudged his shoulder from across the table.

“Sorry, Case.  My mind is wandering.”

“No shit.  Now tell me where it’s wandering to.  You were about a million miles away and looked like you couldn’t find your way home.”

Luke huffed.  “You certainly have a way with words.”

“I may not be a pro like you, but I definitely have my own unique way with words.”  Casey grinned.  “I think that’s one of the things that attracted Jason to me in the first place.”

Now Luke laughed out loud.  “Yeah, I’m sure that was it.”

“So stop stalling.  What’s got you so preoccupied?”

Luke shared the entire story of the now infamous, at least in the Oliver-Snyder home, article from the medical journal.  Casey listened intently as Luke shared his concerns about the complete omission of Reid in any way, shape, or form.  It was as if Mark had been the key to the neurology wing all along, not someone Reid brought in when he became Chief of Staff.

“Okay, Luke, I think I understand why you’re so concerned.  I don’t know much about writing for a magazine, but even I know that doesn’t make any sense.”

It was good to see his friend being, not only supportive, but helpful.  Luke was now clear in his assumptions.  This made no sense and he didn’t plan to let Reid get the shaft, most definitely no pun intended in his thoughts.

Before the conversation could go any further Luke felt a warm pat on the back.  “Hey, guys, I didn’t think I’d run into anyone today.  I was just getting a little solo adult time while Mark’s with the baby.”

Luke was about to greet Noah, but he continued to speak.  “Did your significant others show you the great article about Mark and the neuro wing?  The results are better than I ever expected them to be.  He’s been getting calls for the past three days from hospitals all over the world wanting him to speak before their boards, demonstrate new techniques and new equipment, and even a couple of very lucrative and enticing job offers!”  Without waiting for an invitation Noah pulled up a chair from a nearby table.  “But don’t let that get Reid all tied up in knots.  Mark is determined to stay in Oakdale.  He really loves Memorial.”

“I’ll have to read this article.”  Casey looked from Noah to Luke.  “Jason always brings home those boring journals, but I never take note.  Maybe it’s time I expanded my horizons.”

“This one’s definitely worth it.  I’m so proud of Mark.  The writer captured all his values, as well as the quality of the work done at Memorial by everyone there, as I hoped he would.”

Luke’s eyes widened.  When he glanced at Casey he saw what must have been a similar reaction in his eyes as well.  It couldn’t be.  Noah couldn’t be involved in anything medical.  He’s never been involved with Mark’s work, at least not in such an invasive manner.  This was too much to take in and Luke wasn’t sure how to respond.  Surprisingly, his first inclination was to shut Noah up with a right cross, coupled with a few choice words Luke tried hard not utter too often, but he needed to keep a level head.  Luke wanted to give Noah the benefit of the doubt, but something wasn’t sitting right, and since he hadn’t had his burger yet, it wasn’t the food.

[TBC]

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