Page 35 of Gene

The way he was talking, he made it seem like she had something life threatening and was going to die, but he didn’t know that.

“Let me press this button so the doctor knows that you’re awake,” Daddy spoke, letting go of her face.

Whimpering from the loss of his touch, she made sure to keep her eyes on him the whole time. Sammi didn’t care that she was acting like a baby right now. She wanted Daddy close, his hands on her.

“I’m right here, sweet girl. Nothing is going to happen.” He gave her a small smile as he pressed the button.

Daddy walked back to her and immediately picked up her hand. She felt her body relax a little.

“You found me?” She looked at him.

He shook his head. “Ezekiel saw you faint and called me. We both brought you to the hospital. He stayed for a little while but needed to go back to the farm to make sure nobody needed anything since I was gone.”

Sammi looked away, feeling terrible that Gene wasn’t at the farm. He was the boss and was needed a lot and yet he was here with her.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“Sorry for what?” Daddy cupped her face and made her look at him.

“I’m sorry for taking you away from the farm. I didn’t mean to collapse. I don’t even know what happened.” Sammi closed her eyes.

She was feeling awful about taking him away from his work.

“Little One, don’t apologize. I’m right where I want to be. I know you didn’t mean to pass out. I’m not blaming you at all. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.” He softly spoke to her.

Once again, tears pooled in her eyes at his words. He was saying all these sweet things, and she knew he meant them.

“You’re awake,” a man said as he walked into the room. “I’m Doctor Mike Smith. I’ve been your doctor since you got here. How are you feeling?”

Sammi took a couple of seconds to really think about his question.

“Tired, a little achy, overwhelmed, and very confused,” she rattled off.

She figured this was when she needed to be the most honest. She hadn’t been to a doctor in a while, but he was the and the right person to maybe give her answers. And then she may not have to go to the doctor tomorrow and miss work. That would be great, so she didn’t have to miss out on half the day’s pay.

“It will get a little bit better. Thank you for being honest,” the doctor spoke.

Sammi looked at Daddy before looking at the doctor. “What’s wrong with me?”

Did she have cancer? Was she dying? Or was it all in her head, and she had just gaslit herself into believing something was wrong?

“Do you want me to talk with Gene in the room?” Doctor Mike asked.

This time, she didn’t look at Daddy. Part of her didn’t want him here in case something happened but as she was actually in this moment, she didn’t know if she could do this without him.

“I’m not?—”

“I want him here,” she reassured the doctor before Daddy could say anything.

“Are you sure? Because I can get him to leave if you don’t want him here to hear this.” Doctor Mike looked into her eyes.

She held on to Daddy’s hand tighter, not wanting him to leave. She was far too vulnerable right now for him to go anywhere else. If Doctor Mike gave her any sort of bad news, she didn’t know if she would be able to make it through.

“I’m sure. Wh-what’s wrong with me?” she stuttered.

“How long have you been managing your diabetes?” Doctor Mike asked.

Sammi blinked several times, not understanding the question. “What do you mean?”

---