The Love Doctor (Morgan)

[Dr. Terrence Jordan]

Terrence didn't have occasion to get out much, and recently he'd been spending most of his free time with one Leila Gold. He didn't particularly mind; Ben had been busy of late with his own love life, and most of his other friends had likewise been scattered due to the holidays.

But Christmas was over and life was beginning to settle back to normal. Leila had been tending to her nascent political career and Terrence had been fielding questions from his family while avoiding the issue of race as best as possible.

He still hadn't told Amos he was dating a white girl. A white, rich, privileged girl who was going into politics. He would have to address that with his younger brother someday, but not now.

His own thoughts however had turned to another holiday. This would be their first Valentine's Day as a couple, and while he didn't have off the day proper he wanted to at least get her something nice, and so he had dragged out his friend Morgan to Sil's Spices for help.

Not that Morgan could actually see any of the presents but that didn't mean he wouldn't have ideas.

"What about this foot.....thing." He asked, holding up a Foot Saver Kit. Then, remembering that his friend wouldn't know what that meant, read, "Yamuna body rolling foot saver kit. It's a DVD and foot massage balls."

[Morgan Tonaya]

Morgan had to admit, he liked Valentine’s day. He didn’t have anyone special to share it with this year (Besides his Mom, who he always got something for), but he was happy to help out Terrence. The doctor was a good man, solid and kind, and Morgan was always glad to hear of his new girlfriend in the few instances that they did talk.

He was just glad he wasn’t being asked to help pick out jewelry.

Morgan chuckled slightly as Terrence struggled to explain what was in his hand. “Are you trying to tell her she has ugly feet?” Morgan asked rhetorically. “That’s something you get for a wife Terrence. Or like…I dunno a white elephant.” He teased, nudging his friend in the general area of his ribcage (he missed and prodded a kidney).

“Come on, Terrence. You guys are still a young couple! Full of fluff or something. Get her something fun!” He encouraged. Not that he could be of much more help than that, being that he wasn’t entirely sure what was in the shop.

[Dr. Terrence Jordan]

"No, that is not what I am saying at all!" Terrence protested, hurriedly putting the foot massage ball set back on the shelf. "I had only thought since she is a professional her feet may hurt. Mine do when I have long hours at the hospital."

As soon as the words left his mouth he snatched them back; if the gift was too practical for Leila maybe he could try it out for himself.

"Fun..." He mused, scanning the store. "Chocolates are nice, but that's so...." He paused, searching for an appropriate word. "Predictable." He finished. That didn't mean he wouldn't include chocolates with whatever he ended up settling on, but he didn't want that to be the only gift.

"So what about this, the candlelight bubble bath gift basket? Or is that too practical also?"

Just because they had already gone out of town together didn't mean he was quite comfortable with the idea of buying her jewelry or lingerie just yet; he needed something a little less intense.

"I could buy her advertisement space on the radio." He added, "She might appreciate that since it is relevant to her current activities, but I don't know if that says Fun Valentine's Gift."

And advertisement space was expensive.

[Morgan Tonaya]

“Yeah but you work at a hospital.” Morgan pointed out. “with patients. Running around and things. I thought you told me she was a politician or something. Isn’t that more of a desk job?” Morgan asked, his mouth twisting in thought. “Where exactly did you say she worked again?” he added offhandedly.

“So boring.” Morgan mused after Terrence’s resolution that they were predictable. “Girls like things that smell nice. We’re definitely in the right place.” He encouraged. Morgan raised his eyebrows in contemplation, rubbing the back of his neck.

“That might be nice.” He said, finally nodding. “It’s just as relaxing and that weird foot thing you wanted to give her.” He teased. Morgan gasped. “Ooooh. Advertising space. Now that is cool.” He enthused.

[Dr. Terrence Jordan]

"Now, now, politicians do more than sit at desks," Terrence chided patiently. "I'm sure it's very hard work, kissing babies on the campaign trail, giving speeches to one another, obfuscating when people ask questions."

He gave a smile Morgan couldn't see before adding, "But she's not a politician yet. She's just campaigning right now."

Just campaigning was putting it lightly, considering how many hours she was putting in meeting with donors and figuring out her platform. Still, she needed to be voted in before she could be considered a politician.

"She's an attorney," He explained, "And I'm sure the long days in court are just as hard as days at the hospital."

He brightened at Morgan's reaction to the idea of advertising space. "You think Leila would like that? Then would radio or newspaper be more romantic? Or magazine?"

Given Vermont's sign laws he doubted he could swing a billboard, but newspaper and radio would reach more people anyway.

[Morgan Tonaya]

Morgan snorted when Terrence used the word ‘obfuscating.’ He was the type of fellow to use such specific language. “Yeah but from what you tell me about her, the campaign will just be a big easy for her.”

Giving pause when Terrence reminded Morgan that she was an attorney, he furrowed his brow. Could it…I mean it could…Hadn’t Cobalt mentioned her being in the hospital recently?

Snapping back to the conversation, Morgan hummed thoughtfully. “I mean yeah, I think she would totally like it. I would shoot for the radio, just because she would get more coverage.”
He said with a small nod.

After a short silence, Morgan pursed his lips. “What did you say Leila’s last name was?”

[Dr. Terrence Jordan]

Terrence laughed at Morgan's remark. "If politicking is easy for anyone she's it. She's got the drive."

And the money; that was always important. It was impossible to campaign without funds, and the wealth of the political classes was difficult to overlook.

The other man's encouragement was enough for the doctor to place the bubble bath back on the counter. "Then the only thing I'm buying from this store is chocolates." He decided, glancing about the store for anything that resembled candies. "And I'm looking up radio advertising when I get home."

The fact that her ads would be political probably meant there were even more strings attached than for regular advertising; he didn't want to spend money on a gift she couldn't use because of regulations he hadn't known about.

Any deeper meaning behind Morgan's question was lost on Terrence as he replied, "Gold. Her name is Leila Gold."

[Morgan Tonaya]

Morgan pumped his fist into the air victoriously, glad he could have helped his friend find a suitably unique present. Valentine’s was getting tougher and tougher these days, finding something originally was nearly impossible, but Morgan was sure Terrence’s Leila would love radio play.

A look of recognition crossed Morgan’s face as he tucked his hands in his pockets. “Oh! I dated her in high school.” He chirped easily. “You should get her air heads instead of chocolate. She’s nuts for those things.” He suggested, nodding easily. Thoughtfully, Morgan pursed his lips.

“Come to think of it, I’m not surprised she’s going in to politics.”

[Dr. Terrence Jordan]

A look of surprise crossed Terrence's face when Morgan admitted he had dated Leila back in high school. It made sense, of course; they had both attended Hammel around the same time, and both were attractive and personable.

"Airheads." He repeated, making a mental note of that fact. "I will be sure to find some."

Sil's didn't look to be the appropriate venue for finding non-chocolate candies, but he was pretty sure that the grocery store had a whole aisle devoted to nothing but candies, so surely they would have what he needed.

"Any other tips? You realize I'm going to be using your knowledge now," He warned with a laugh. "And she is the type who seems destined for politics. Smart, driven. Very passionate about Meta rights."

[Morgan Tonaya]

Morgan was momentarily worried that Terrence would not be okay with the back that Leila was his ex, even if it was high school. Occasionally he got paranoid with things like that, though recently he chalked it up to being unable to see facial expressions. When Terrence spoke again, all of Morgan’s nerves (the few of them there were) were soothed.

He chuckled and shrugged. “I mean, not that I can think of. I’m sure she’s changed a bit since I knew her. But I can ask my Uncle.” Morgan pointed out. Now that he knew they were discussing the same Leila, he could refer Terrence to Cobalt for intel

[Dr. Terrence Jordan]

A smile flashed across Terrence's face as Morgan brought up asking his uncle Cobalt for help. "Now that is a brilliant idea." He agreed, shoving his hands in his trouser pockets. "I wish I had known this sooner, this is a veritable treasure trove I've stumbled upon."

It was useful, knowing the people one's girlfriend was friends with. Even better if they were mutual friends, and by accident rather than design.

"I suppose I'm not getting anything here, after all, then," He added, glancing around with only mild regret. At least he knew what was available here, and that could prove useful later. "Do you need anything while we're here?"

No need to waste the trip; he could help Morgan find anything he was looking for. Or any of his other friends, for that matter.

"I need to send Charlie here." He mused, wondering if his police officer friend had managed to come up with something for Elaine. Or if he was even brave enough to acknowledge the holiday, given how uncertain he seemed of his standing with her family.

[Morgan Tonaya]

Morgan tilted his head from one side to the other, pondering just picking something up here because it all smelled so nice. He had originally thought he might sneeze when they stepped in, but things had settled to a pleasant amalgamation of scents. “Nah, I think I’ll pass. I can’t think of any reason to buy anything other than it all smells good.” He chuckled, thinking of what a field day Jordan would have with his dad smelling all girly.

Scowling a bit, Morgan stuffed his hands in his pockets. “My mother doesn’t need any of this stuff.” Morgan pretty much had the ‘nice smelling bath stuff’ corner covered. “He should have to think of his presents on his own anyway.” He sniffed. Morgan was pretty staunch in believing that Charlie wasn’t good enough for his mom, and not even someone as smart as Terrence would convince him otherwise.

[Dr. Terrence Jordan]

Despite his conversation with Charlie regarding Morgan's reception he was astonished at the vehemence of the gentle history teacher's reaction to the mere mention of the officer.

"I'm sure he's capable of coming up with something on his own," Terrence replied mildly as they made their way out of the store. "But if independence is the hallmark of authenticity I suppose I had better hope Leila doesn't ask if anyone helped me."

He saw no shame in asking for help from those with more knowledge; he also knew Morgan was being unfair because he felt protective. That didn't mean that it was any less silly, though.

Still he was sure Morgan would come round eventually, so there was no need to harp on the subject. After all, Charlie was a nice guy, and that would speak for itself better than any arguments he could offer on his friend's behalf.

"Do you need to do any more errands? If not I can just take you home?"

[Morgan Tonaya]

Morgan snorted and began to laugh good-naturedly. “Can’t you just let me be petty? Geeze. He’s dating my mom, cut me some slack.” Truly, there was nothing that Morgan harbored against Charlie in specific. He just wasn’t good enough. Frankly, he also didn’t want a step-Father.

Shrugging, Morgan shook his head. “No, I’m good to go. I’m glad you found something for her.” He chirped, running his fingers through his hair. “Thanks for bringing me with you, man. I’m glad I could help.”