Page 63 of Betraying Bexley

“W-What happened?” Bex asked the question before she had a chance to squash it. She didn’t care about the people there, besides maybe Alé but he was different. Learning about people she would never see again, didn’t make sense to her.

“Oh, she had him early. He was big already. Add to it Sydney’s stress and the emotional strain they’d been put under...” Dr. Rae grabbed one of the waterproof casting kits. “Anyway, the baby was here before any of us could stop him.”

“B-Brutal.”

“You mean, beautiful.” Dr. Rae grinned, opening up the package.

“N-No. Brutal. Had to hurt.”

“It was worth it. They have a beautiful son.” She took her time prepping the cement and unrolling the strips to put Bex’s cast together. “Not every pain has to be rooted in sorrow, Bex. Sometimes, it makes you stronger and feel invincible.”

Yeah, Bex called it. Dr. Rae was a quack. Instead of responding, she sat there as the woman rewrapped her arm then grabbed the camo tape like she’d said earlier and proceeded to cover Bex’s cast. When she was finished, she pulled off her gloves then pushed the tray away from them.

“T-Thanks,” Bex whispered.

“Not a problem.” Dr. Rae pointed to her leg. “Now, I need to check your limb. I want to make sure you’re healing properly and to see if the ointment I gave you has been healing your sores.”

Bex closed her eyes. “S-Sure.” She hated this part. Humiliation swamped her when Dr. Rae pulled the prosthetic from her thigh then removed the silicone sleeve and sock. She’d used the cream every day since she’d received it and, coupled with the adjustments Bronx had made for Bex, everything was healing better.

"Open your eyes," Dr. Rae encouraged her. "It looks really good."

No. Seeing her stump, even on a good day, turned Bex's stomach. It reminded her of what happened to her. Of her stupid mistakes and misplaced trust. It reminded her of everything she'd lost and what she'd never gained.

“You know, your leg is beautiful, Bex. So it’s been amputated. It doesn’t make you any less of a person. You shouldn’t feel ashamed or shamed by your stump.” Dr. Rae placed her sock back on along with the silicone sleeve before slipping her prosthetic back into place. “It’s only been a little while from what Mateo tells us, right?”

“A y-year.”

“One day you’ll wake up and your limb will become an extension of you.” Rae squeezed Bex’s shoulder. “At least, I hope so. I don’t have much training in amputations and prosthetics. But, if you ever want to talk to anyone, I’m sure I can find a counselor for you.”

“I-I’d like t-that.” No matter how much she wanted to put Dr. Rae in the no friend’s category, she couldn’t. The woman was compassionate and kind. She treated Bex like a wounded animal and sometimes, she wondered if that was exactly what she was.

“Great. Then let’s get back to everyone. I’m more than sure they’re ready to show you around this place.” Dr. Rae exited the room and strolled down the hall to the elevator. “Want some advice?”

What could it hurt? “S-Sure.”

“Use the golf cart. This place is huge. Also, grab lunch while you’re out. The cafeteria food here is to die for.” When the doors to the elevator opened, she motioned for Bex to get in. “This is where I leave you, Bex. I hope you have fun here. It was nice meeting you, again, this time awake.” Dr. Rae graced her with a kindhearted smile as she pushed the button for another floor. “Hopefully, we’ll meet again. Under better circumstances of course.”

Bex nodded. “S-Same. T-Thank you.”

Dr. Rae grinned. “It was my pleasure.”

---