The Nurse's Station

My Red Dress

Elliot surveyed the room uncomfortably, still not sure why she allowed herself to be dragged here. She turned to JD and said, “I want to go home.” When he didn’t reply, she waved her hand in front of his face. “Hello? Earth to JD. I want to go home.”

He swatted her hand away and pointed across the room. She looked over and wasn’t surprised to see it was Dr. Cox who had caught his attention. He was wearing a tux like everyone else and was nursing what she’d bet was a scotch while yelling at Kelso, no doubt the man responsible for his appearance.

“I hate these things,” Elliot mumbled to herself as JD went over to the older man, a dazed look in his eyes. “Stupid JD making me come to stupid hospital functions for no stupid reason…” She trailed off and made a bee-line for the bar, deciding it might be more tolerable if alcohol was involved. She ordered a beer when she felt someone come up behind her and not quite whisper in her ear,

“So DJ dragged you here, too?”

Elliot spun around, spilling the beer and stepping on the person standing next to her.

“Accidental high-five!” Todd shouted, holding his hand up.

Deciding she really didn’t have an option, Elliot high-fived him before turning to the bartender. “I am so sorry,” she said. He rolled his eyes and handed her another beer before cleaning up.

“So how’d he manage it?”

Elliot turned around, this time not spilling anything. “I…um, I’m not sure,” she stammered, taking in the woman in front of her. Jordan was wearing a long wine-colored dress that revealed more than a little cleavage. Her hair was up, a few stray strands falling into her face. Her eyes were smoky and her lips dark red.

“Way to stare, Barbie,” Jordan said, smiling slightly.

“You look great,” Elliot replied before realizing that might not have been the best response. She flushed and took a sip of her beer.

“Relax,” Jordan said, still sounding amused. “You’re not half bad yourself.”

Elliot brushed a lock of hair out of her face, trying to calm down. “Thank you,” she said a little too brightly. The red dress really did look amazing. “You’re here with Dr. Cox?”

Jordan rolled her eyes. “Supposedly, but he’ll disappear with DJ sometime soon.” She grinned at Elliot, a dangerous look in her eye. “Come on,” she said, dragging her over to where Dr. Cox and JD were standing. “Perry, give me the keys,” she demanded. “And the hundred you owe me.”

Dr. Cox raised an eyebrow. “Already?”

Jordan tapped her foot angrily. “Not technically, but–”

“Take the keys, but the hundred’s mine until you prove otherwise,” he said, handing her a set of keys. He glanced at Elliot and snorted. “Good luck. Come, Susan. Leave Barbie to Satan,” he added, the last part to JD as he took his elbow and led him away.

Elliot gave Jordan a terrified look. “What are you doing? What were you talking about?”

Jordan ignored her, instead renewing her grip on Elliot’s wrist and dragging her out to Perry’s Porsche. She opened the door and shoved Elliot into the passenger seat, closing the door before she could escape. Jordan got into the driver’s side, put the top down and drove away.

“Where are you taking me?” Elliot asked frantically.

Jordan rolled her eyes again. “God you’re slow. Do I really have to spell it out for you, Barbie? I bet Perry a hundred dollars that I would fuck you tonight, and I fully intend on collecting my money next time I see him.”

Elliot stared at Jordan, stared at the way the wind was molding the red dress to her body, stared at the outline of the strapless bra she was wearing. Elliot was aware she should probably put up some sort of protest, but it didn’t actually seem like such a bad idea.

Jordan glanced at Elliot for a split second before looking back at the road. “Congratulations on not having a nervous breakdown,” she said, only semi-sarcastically. She was pretty impressed that Elliot hadn’t freaked out, at least not yet. Maybe this was going to be easier than she thought.

Elliot opened her mouth to reply but closed it, realizing she had nothing to say. Instead she just watched Jordan, Jordan in her red dress.

By the end of the night the red dress had two tears and a missing zipper pull. Elliot was almost sad to see it go.

Almost.

Next

My 40 Snapshots

by Nicole Merrill