//------------------------------// // Chapter 22 - Phone Calls // Story: Married to Her Job, Single in Her Heart // by Revenant Wings //------------------------------// 22. “Trotsworth?” The voice at the other end of the phone was very confused. “But why do you want to move back there? I thought you said you were done with the Academy and the town.” “A few things have come up around here lately, mother,” Redheart responded. “My old boyfriend came around. We got back together for a little while but then he cheated on me. I just… I want to get away so I don’t have to run the risk of seeing him again.” “Well, alright,” Redheart’s mother said, sounding resigned. “Just know if you need help moving we can come around and help you out.” “I was thinking of heading down there this next weekend and checking out the town to see if there was anything in particular. When I’m serious about looking for a place, I’ll make sure to let you know when I’m looking.” “Of course, darling. And remember we’re willing to help with payments and such if you do decide to move back there.” “Thanks, mom. How’s your fiancée Double Eagle doing?” “He’s actually at a tournament practice right now in Whitewater Ridge. He’ll be heading to Canterlot in a few weeks to compete at a golf course there. He got second place in his last tournament and wished you could have come along with.” “I know.” Redheart sighed. “It’s just been so busy here lately.” “Well, it’s good to know you’re putting that degree of yours to work. Have you thought about going back to become a doctor?” “I don’t know. The nurse pay is decent enough lately I could almost afford a small house on my own if I worked a few more hours a week. And tuition would be expensive for the right schools even with you and dad backing me.” “Well, if you’re fine with that, I wouldn’t mind it at all. Probably would be plenty of openings for a nurse in Trotsworth anyways,” Redheart’s mother mused. “They already said with the job I did during my internship and my grades they’d accept me back easily and with good pay. I figured if I didn’t have a place in Ponyville it would be good as a sort of backup plan.” “That being said, it is sad you have to move away from home. And you wouldn’t know anyone there.” “The head physician from my Academy days is still at the hospital,” Redheart said. “Considering the relationship I have with Doctor Stable, I dare say it wouldn’t take long for me to get into the swing of things. And it’s not like Trotsworth is on the other side of Equestria; just half a day’s train ride.” “I know, I know,” Redheart’s mother said gently. “It’s just a mother’s worry. Now, you said you were heading down there this weekend? Do you already have a place booked?” “Yes and yes. I found a little hotel near the main area of town. I’ll be gone until Monday; Doctor Stable said he’d give me the day off for a vacation, so I’m taking advantage of that.” “Ah, well, it’ll be good to get out of town for the rest.” There was a slight pause. “I’m sorry, Redheart dear, but I have to be heading off to work in a minute. It was nice that you were able to call, though.” “I’ll try to call you again sometime soon. I know your schedule’s as busy or busier than mine, but hopefully I’ll be able to come around for dinner again sometime soon.” “We’d love to have you over. Goodbye, darling.” “Bye, mother.” Redheart set the phone down with a click and went off to take a bath. Tomorrow she would be heading off for a long weekend at Trotsworth, but now she had work tonight at the hospital and another visit with Twilight to look forward to. Redheart had gotten her towels together and filled the tub with warm water when the phone rang again. The only logical conclusion that Redheart could come up with was the hospital and Doctor Stable either saying they needed her early or that she wouldn’t be needed, but with Twilight’s condition that wasn’t likely. Redheart wondered to herself who it could be as she walked over to the phone in the kitchen. An idea of who it possibly could be struck Redheart as she picked up the phone, but she tried to push it out of her head. “Redheart’s residence. May I ask who’s speaking?” “It’s Caramel.” Redheart didn’t respond. “Please don’t hang up.” Redheart sighed. “What is it?” she asked impatiently. “Did you forget something the last time you were over here?” “No.” “Did I forget something that one time I went to your house?” “No.” “Well, then, hurry up and say what it is you wanted to say. I’m trying to get myself in the bath.” “I was wondering if we could… hang out sometime soon.” Redheart exhaled loudly. “Caramel, I’ve told you before and I’ll tell you again: after what happened between you and Lyra when I saw you walking through town, I do not want to get back together with you. I’ve got more important things.” “I was trying to say it’s been a misunderstanding. Lyra and I were just hanging out that day and nothing has been gone between us.” “I don’t care if you were just hanging out as friends. What matters to me more are the facts that Lyra has been absolutely rude towards me even before then and that you specifically lied to me about going off to see your family.” “Redheart, please,” Caramel’s voice was desperate. “Nothing was happening between us. We didn’t kiss, we didn’t go out anywhere. We just walked around town.” Redheart sighed. “Caramel… I can’t do it. Not after I’ve walked in on you twice with some other mare while we were in full swing dating.” “Even when it happened the first time you decided to give me a second chance recently. And didn’t I prove that I was interested in you for the most part? I mean, it’s not like what happened with Cloudkicker where you walked in and she was there with me.” “Caramel,” Redheart said gently, “you have to understand it’s not that I don’t have feelings for you still, because admittedly I still do. I just don’t think I can trust you anymore.” There was a moment’s pause before she burst out. “I can’t afford to be with someone who for all I know is going to be having an affair with another mare while we’re together!” There was a long silence between the two of them. “Caramel, there’s something I should tell you. I was thinking of moving back to Trotsworth.” “…moving? Like as in you’re going to transfer hospitals and get a new apartment over by the Academy moving?” “Yes. I can’t stand to be around here anymore. When Twilight recovers completely, I’ll be searching for a new apartment to move to in Trotsworth.” “But why? Your family and your life are here in Ponyville.” “My mother and her fiancée are completely supportive of the move. Both hospitals are willing to undergo the transfer smoothly. As for my life, what I thought was decent of it went to shit when you lied to me to have an affair with Lyra.” The other end of the line remained silent. Redheart wished she had something to follow up, but for some reason she waited until Caramel had something to say. “There’s no chance, is there?” “You had your chance. I was going to say you should thank Twilight, but I don’t think she’d be very happy considering the outcome.” “…are you going to Trotsworth this weekend?” “Yes. First train tomorrow morning.” “Where are you staying?” Caramel asked, trying to lighten up. “None of your business,” Redheart replied sounding as hard and cold as she possibly could. “I would rather like to not have anything bothering me on my vacation.” There was a moment of silence where Redheart could imagine Caramel flinching. “I’m sorry. I’ll let you go to get ready for work. And I hope you have a nice vacation in Trotsworth.” “Thank you.” It was more out of etiquette than actual feeling. There was no response from the other end of the line. “I’ll talk to you later,” Redheart said. She hung up the phone without waiting for a response from Caramel and went to the bathroom, hoping the water in the tub was still warm.