The Tennis Partner

On Sunday, Abraham and David are challenged to a doubles match by some older men, one of whom played at Wimbledon. David is relaxed, but Abraham is nervous and plays poorly in the first set, which they lose. Abraham relaxes and plays much better in the second set when he remembers the match does not depend solely on his game.

After the game, Abraham and David talk about his upcoming graduation ceremony, and David thanks him for everything. He is thinking about his residency next, contemplating which discipline he ought to enter. Abraham is surprised and a little irritated to hear David dismiss internal medicine; he is leaning more toward surgery or emergency care. Abraham contemplates how temperament dictates people’s choices.

David begins his internship. Abraham spots him at a mall with a woman who is not Gloria. The next day, David calls to set up a tennis date with Abraham. On the way, David talks about how he is finding his rotation in family practice extremely easy and complains about his AA and NA meetings impinging on his time. His sponsor thinks he has an attitude problem.

Abraham brings up the woman at the mall, and David sheepishly admits he is seeing her.