"What time is it there again?" Charlie asked.

"We're seven hours behind," Ben said, after a second delay on Charlie's computer screen. 

"Oh. So...you're eating lunch?"

"And you're having dinner?"

"It's like we're on a date," Charlie smiled, tried to make the best of it. "Except I never liked Ethiopian food, so..."

" I'm not in Ethiopia babe."

"Right. Right, sorry...um what are you having?"

"Oh god, I can't even pronounce it," Ben laughed. "If we were in American, I'd describe it as a crock pot sort of dish. Rice and vegetables and meat all in the same pot."

"I just made a PB&J sandwich," Charlie said sheepishly.

"You don't know how I'd kill for that right now," Ben chuckled. "Don't get me wrong, this is delicious..." Charlie began to worry: this mindless prattle about food was soon to turn into talk about the weather.

I miss you," Charlie said simply.

"I miss you too," Ben said. "I wish you could've..." 

"A month babe," Charlie said reassuringly. "School's out in a month."

"A lot can happen in a month," Ben said worriedly, but whether he was worried about himself or Charlie was unclear. "Are you sure you're ready to uproot your whole life...?"

"Doctor Ben," an urgent voice coming into room said.

"I gotta go babe."

"Go. Save lives. Make me proud."

"Love you."

"Love you too." And Ben's  Skype call was disconnected. Charlie finished his sandwich and poured himself a glass of wine. The question dangled in the air: 'are you sure you're ready to uproot your whole life...?'

And Charlie wasn't.

 

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