The story of Josh and Kyle continues into the new school year with new hopes, problems, and celebrations.
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Author's note: Welcome to book two of "The Pizza Boy Trilogy." (Yes, there will be a book three also.) Those of you that are returning readers and fans, are already well-clued-in on what all has transpired up to this point. I hope you will continue to enjoy the newest adventures of Josh and Kyle working their way through college and now as a married couple.
For those of you that are just discovering this series...while it isn't required...you would be best served and have far fewer questions, by reading book one first. "Pizza Boy at the Door" is published in its entirety here at Literotica. Chapter one is instantly accessible by clicking on this link:
http://www.literotica.com/s/pizza-boy-at-the-door-ch-01-1
In either case, thank you for stopping by and let's get on with the story. JKD
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Kyle glanced up at the clock on the wall of the reception area in the administration offices of the medical school at the university. Barely forty-eight hours had passed since his mother had once again reassured him at the airport in New York that she would be fine and that he needed to get himself and Josh back to Florida. "You have eighteen years of your life invested in your education, Kyle. Classes start in less than two weeks and you have a huge change planned. Beth, Susan, and I must go on, and so do you." Her simple motherly words had said without saying: 'Get on that plane. Case closed.'
Josh had been completely supportive when Kyle told him of his intended new path. "You are the one that's going to be the doctor. That means you get to write the prescription whatever way you want. I just get to keep track of the pill bottles." He also turned totally serious with, "Plus, with me changing majors, I'll have plenty to keep me scrambling too, along with going back to knocking on doors delivering pizzas at night. But like everything else, we will get through it one simple way: Together and forever."
Doctor Schwartz, his faculty advisor, had talked with him earlier in the day at length about the idea. He also suggested the meeting with the school's dean for further discussion before committing to a new direction. As Kyle stepped into Dean Logue's private office, he thought to himself: 'There wasn't any "suggestion" involved. It was a politely worded "order" is more like it.'
"Please sit down, Kyle," were the words from Dean Logue after he and Kyle shook hands. "I can't tell you how shocked and sorry I was to hear about the loss of your father," came first as they both settled into chairs. "If there is anything any of us can do as you go through the adjustment period, please don't hesitate to ask," followed.
"Thank you, sir. I've pretty much worked my way through the 'acceptance' stage at this point, and it's going well." Kyle gave the dean a confident smile he hoped would punctuate the reply.
"So, Doctor Schwartz tells me that you are wanting to change your original intentions and also declare your specialization early. Correct?"
"Yes, sir. I just feel drawn to emergency medicine now."
Dean Logue leaned back in his huge desk chair, lacing his fingers together and tilting his head towards the ceiling in momentary thought. When he moved back forward, he questioned, "Are you certain your desire to be a surgeon has changed that much? Or are you letting the tragic circumstances you went through color your thinking?"
"I understand what you are saying, Dean, but no. I have thought this through very carefully and discussed it with my family. And Josh also, of course."
"Ah yes. I understand congratulations are in order." The dean was smiling as he sincerely spoke the next words. "Having someone to share life with and provide support based in love will help you greatly during the rest of med school and residency. I am truly happy for you both."
Kyle smiled also and then said, "Thank you, sir. He has certainly already proven what a rock of support he can be when needed."
Shifting quickly back to the business at hand, the dean said, "Doctor Schwartz has already approved your request. Getting mine is more of a formality than anything else. I just want to be positive that your decision is being driven more by true passion than by a desire to be a knight in shining armor riding in on the white horse to try to save the world."
"I know you are using that metaphor to tell me that I won't be able to save them all, sir. Just like I couldn't save my Dad. I accept that I couldn't have even if I had already been the best trauma man on the planet and the accident had happened in an emergency room parking lot."
Dean Logue leaned forward and rested his forearms on his large desk. "This is blunt, Kyle, but I have to ask it. Are you sure you can face death again as often as you will in an emergency room setting, and not have it affect you to where your talent and caring becomes compromised?"
Kyle swallowed hard and then responded. "I don't think I have any choice, sir. I have to try. I know I won't be able to save every one of them, but each one that I do, will be a large victory for me...and in honor of the memory of my Dad and my grandfather."
The dean closed his eyes and nodded at Kyle. "Your grandfather. The original 'Doctor Welby' wasn't he? Quite the general practitioner from the way I've heard you speak of him before."
Kyle immediately livened-up, both smiling large and leaning forward in his seat as he spoke. "He was always my motivation to become a doctor. My parents may have planted the seeds of caring deeply for others, but it was Doc Gramps that nurtured it into the belief that I had the ability and could be even better than he was." With only a short pause, he added, "In fact, if I can't go the emergency medicine route, I would probably follow in his footsteps literally and become the best damn country doctor in Florida."
"I have no doubt you would be, too," Dean Schwartz confirmed with a smile. Bringing the conversation back on track, he stated, "As you know, Kyle, you normally wouldn't be totally exposed to the different specialties until your third year, but I not only will rubber-stamp Doctor Logue's recommendation for you to take some advanced courses; but will also suggest that he slip you into what we call 'emergency room lab assignments' by the end of the fall semester if your goal stays the same. That would mean spending actual time in one. Mainly as an observer and extra pair of hands if needed, but I believe it would help you greatly so that you are certain how to concentrate your last two years of school."
Kyle smiled and nodded. "Sounds like throwing me to the lions to see if I can cope and walk out of the coliseum...or freeze up and become dinner," he jested.
Dean Schwartz chuckled at the image and then became serious. "To an extent, yes. But to be honest with yourself, wouldn't you rather make the discovery of which it would be, before the muzzles are removed from the lion's mouths and they are freed from their leashes?"
"Is that your way of saying it's better to test myself from the safety of a front row seat instead of the lion's jaws first?" Kyle had to smile at the ongoing use of ancient Roman imagery they were using.
The dean nodded. "Most definitely. And by being in the front row; much like watching the brave gladiator doing battle with the beast; you will still end up with experience and just enough blood on you to decide whether you are willing to daily wade into war on that level yourself." He added a knowing wink as he leaned back in the chair again.
Kyle winked back. "Point made, sir," was all he said before standing up. "I guess I have my answer. Thank you for your time and the chance to explore what I see as my calling now."
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As Kyle was finishing his meeting with the dean, Josh was in a nearby building completing a similar one with the English professor he had the previous semester for his creative writing elective. Since moving in with Kyle, he had devoted time almost each day to writing a novel. Sometimes it was only a few paragraphs, but other days hundreds and hundreds of words spilled from his fingertips. It was far from being finished or properly edited, but he wanted a critique on the rough draft. He sat silently as Professor Curtis quickly scanned the stack of pages Josh had handed over.
"I want to read this thoroughly before I judge it, Josh," he began. "But I can say from what I have already seen from you in class and just like I have told you before, you have a serious talent and should further develop it. I have little doubt that this will also impress me."
"So you think my idea of switching my planned major of business administration for a degree in English coupled with the writing specialization option isn't crazy?" He didn't admit that the hunger for the new direction he was considering was heavily based in a growing appetite for realizing the once thought impossible dream of someday becoming a published author.