1964-02-18 - Guess Who's Coming For Dinner?
Summary: While conducting a follow up on Betty's mother, Able makes dinner plans with the Brant women.
Related: None
Theme Song: None
able elizabeth 


As promised, Able has returned for a checkup. He's dressed a little more informally today; a maroon sweater, grey slacks, and comfortable shoes. No lab coat either, just a a long jacket suitable for a chilly day that was hung as soon as he arrived.

"Eleanor, you look as beautiful as the day we met. I trust you're feeling better?" There's a small smile on his face as he sets his bag down and snaps it open. Housecalls aren't a frequent thing for him, but he certainly seems to be enjoying this one. Just like the first time he visited, he starts by wiping his hands, then pulls out his stethoscope and warms it up. "How's the cough?"

*

Elizabeth attended the house call along with the doctor. Two birds, one stone to her. She can visit with her mother /and/ check on her health. Skipping about the kitchen, the heady aroma of coffee now looms through the small living area.

Eleonor chuckles, looking a bit more fitter than their first meeting. There's even some color in her cheeks. "Oh, you're such a charmer, and so handsome. I like you better out of the jacket." The older woman muses. Waiting for the metal to press against her chest, she takes a few deep breaths, in, and out, in, and out. "Cough's gone, and I'm getting sleep now."

*

"That's exactly what I was hoping to hear." There's a pause and a wink from Able. "And I'm pleased to hear you're feeling better, too."

A brief listen is all it takes to satisfy his curiosity. He does a quick touch test to check her temperature, then nods approvingly. The stethoscope is tucked away along with most of the rest of his odds and ends. "I have to say, I'm pretty good at this whole doctor thing. Another day or two and you'll be right as rain. What do you think, my dear?"

*

"I think I'll be well enough for a dinner. Tell me, doctor, are you free this Friday evening?""Ma, he's a busy man." Betty insists, offering both Able, and her mother, something hot to drink. "Don't be jealous, Betty. It's not something ladies do." Eleonor tsks of her daughter, accepting her tea thankfully.

Betty smirks, looking toward Able and shrugging, before returning to the kitchen, and leaving him in the lion, well, cougar's den.

*

"Ladies, ladies," Able chides, laughing all the while. "Mind your manners. If you can stand to share me, I'd love to have dinner with you both. If you'll let me use your kitchen when the day comes, I think I could muddle something together for us."

His smile is aimed at Elizabeth as he accepts a cup. "What do you think?" he calls after her. "I'll be a perfect gentleman. Promise."

*

"Share? Doctor, how progressive of you." Eleonor teases slyly, blowing across the top of her drink before sipping from its cup. "Haven't had a man around this place in ages, much less a good one." She murmurs to herself, drinking all the more. Betty, however, lingers in the doorway of the kitchen passage, cradling her own drink as she watches the pair with amusement. "I think that's a wonderful idea. You did tell me you loved cooking, and something home made would be amazing. Friday it is. We'll get you a new dress, ma."

*

"Eleanor," Able gasps, clutching his proverbial pearls. Without missing a beat, he drops into a Southern accent that neatly covers his own. "A gentleman remains a gentleman until he's invited to do otherwise."

He coughs into his fist to conceal a smile. Normally stoic and often awkward, something about Eleanor brings out a youthful sense of play in the Doctor. There's another pause, this time while he shoots a glance at Betty and bobs an appreciative nod in her direction. He's comfortable here and it shows.

*

"Don't tempt me, Doctor." The older woman chides, taking another sip of her tea and setting the cup down. Then she moves, pressing herself up and out of her seat before shuffling off down the hall toward the restroom. Betty just smirks, watching the whole thing, and drinking from her own mug now and then. "Be careful around my ma," she warns Able. "I know I'm a cracker jack, but I don't have anything on her." Pausing, she reaches out and gently touches his arm. "Thank you for visiting with her, and all the help you've given us. You have to let me pay you this time, for real."

*

Able glances down at Betty's hand, then up and into her eyes as he gives his head a slow shake. "No, this has been a pleasure," he replies. "I don't really know how to describe this place. It's… cozy? And your mother is a peach." He lays a hand on top of hers briefly. "This isn't a regular housecall. Like you said, this is me visiting friends. I just happened to squeeze in a checkup."

*

"I feel bad not paying you. I care about you, Able. I know that sounds rather blunt to say, but getting to know you, spending time with you? You're special, y'know that?" Accepting the touch, she links their fingers briefly, giving his grip a squeeze. "There has to be something I can do, something to help you and the clinic." She persists, sipping from her mug and moving to take a seat at a small side table in the kitchen. "Com'on. Sit down. Tell me what you need. I'll….I'll be better with funding here soon."

*

The contents of Able's cup are starting to cool. He managed to forget about it for a few minutes, but now he lifts it up for a sip as he takes a seat across from Elizabeth. "I don't— thank you. And likewise, of course."

He seems less sure of himself without the cover of his banter with Eleanor. He takes a moment to compose his next thought. "I'm happy I can do something to help you. Both of you. Don't think of this as visit with your doctor, consider it a favor from a friend. All of this…" he pauses and gestures to indicate their warm, homey surroundings. "Is very nice and I was pleased I had a reason to come back. But if I think of any favors that you can do for me, I'll tell you. Promise."

*

Elizabeth frowns, but in the end, nods. "You know you're welcome here at any time. My own place isn't like this, but you're welcomed there, too." She offers, hearing the bathroom door unlatching and the sound of water running in the sink. Eleonor shuffles back into the living room, and with a click, the TV flickers on and starts warming the room with more sounds, even if it's white noise to most.

*

"The lines are very cute, but if they're for me there's no need." Able reaches up to tap the space between his own eyebrows, then points in Betty's direction. He leans down and props his chin in one hand with his head tilted. His smile is small, but it's definitely there. "I appreciate the offer. I'll try not to end up as the cat you regret putting out cream for."

*

"I don't sell lines, honey. You know that." She promises, still sipping from her mug all the while. "How is work treating you, by the way? I know we don't talk about it much, but since you're visiting, why not strike up a conversation." She inquires, setting a bit closer to the table's edge, her legs crossing underneither. Eleonor can be heard in the other room, sipping from her own drink and chuckling now and then to something on the screen.

*

Now there's a quiet chuckle from Able. "I meant the lines you get right here— " he taps his forehead again. " —when you're thinking really hard." There's a moment where he considers how best to answer Betty's question. "Work is good, for the most part. People buy weapons, then they hurt each other. They need to be treated. Quietly. Sometimes they need to be picked up from somewhere dangerous. I enjoy a certain level of job security." He shrugs. "And you? How the life of a professional American woman treating you?"

*

"Oh!" She understands now, pressing her fingers against her brow and pushing them about. "Well then, guess I need to stop worrying so much, or those will stick." She muses, drinking more from her mug until it's all gone. "Wish you didn't have to deal with the people you do. I can't be one to judge, but, it's dangerous." She warns with concern. "It's dandy. Might have found the answer to a problem of mine, and I'm still writing. I think I'm on a good path, finally."

*

"Glad to hear it." Able's cup still has a bit in it, but he sets it aside as well. "My job sometimes gets… exciting, but it's what I'm good at. And it's not as if I can get a medical license. I can even get a driver's license," he quips. "But I'll never bring trouble to your door if I can help it."

*

Elizabeth nods, seeming to have lost her senses to something going on in her mind. "Good. I'm glad about that. I'm trying to keep trouble away from ma as best I can." Protective, as usual, the brunette glances toward the living room and then toward a clock hanging up on the wall. "I need to run and get to work, doll face. Thanks for visting with ma." She grins, leaning over and kisses the man's brow. "I'll see you Friday, yeah?" She assures, pulling her jacket around herself, and slipping her feet into a pair of waiting, red pumps.

*

Able clears his throat, stands, and moves to retrieve his jacket as well. He shrugs into it and buttons it up, pausing on his way to the door just long enough to scoop up his bag and bid Eleanor a fond farewell. "I'll be looking forward to it," he agrees, smiling. He opens the door for her and guides her out with a gentlemanly hand at the small of her back.

*

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