Page 30 of Small Sacrifices

"I know," Briana says and runs a finger down his cheek. Reid blinks. "But if you take care of yourself and stay well, you'll be able to help even more people."

Theoretically, Reid knows this. And he knows Briana knows that he knows. But that's not the actual issue. Sometimes, it's just too difficult to see the big picture when there’s tangible evidence that someone needs help now. Like these children do. Reid wants to tell her that there are some of them who might only now be receiving the medical care that they need because their parents couldn't afford it. That it took the government weeks to take notice, and then days from when the story broke to offer actual help.

What's keeping him from saying it is twofold: He doesn't want to worry her even further. He wants her to believe him when he says that he'll be fine. But he also signed a confidentiality agreement, and he's not too sure what he's allowed to say. Better to err on the side of caution. Should he even have told her about Everett?

"I know," he says in a low voice. Briana lays her palm flat against his cheek and allows him to nuzzle into it. The warmthof it is soothing. But then he breathes in. And suddenly, he's nauseated and has to retreat.

"Are you using a new hand lotion?" he asks.

"No," Briana says. "But I washed my hands with soap at a cafe earlier. Not good?" He shakes his head, so she retracts her hand with a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry."

If he tells her she doesn't need to be, she'll only start fighting him on technicalities. So he doesn't. Instead, he changes the subject.

"What do you think is the best way for me to get to work on Monday? My car is still in the parking space at the Capitol. And I need to bring donuts."

"Donuts?" Now, his sister looks confused.

"Donuts," Reid repeats. He doesn't think he'll explain. He's getting tired, and he’ll need her to leave soon. And he'd like a solution to his car dilemma before then.

Reid shakes his head fondly. "Briana, please."

"Fine. What are you worried about?"

"I just… That it'll be awkward." Hasn't he already said this? He's pretty sure that he has.

"But how would it? Just book a taxi or something. You'd only need to make one call. Didn't you call people all throughout this week? One call won't be so bad."

Reid sighs.

Chapter 12: Donuts

On Monday, Reid decides that a rideshare is his best option. He heads to a small donut shop a few streets from his apartment, where he orders a mixed box of donuts. With that in hand, he climbs into a car with a complete stranger who will drive him to work. This doesn't cause him any anxiety at all.

During the ride, Reid scrolls through news articles on his phone, awkwardly balancing the donut box. The Secretary for Environmental Protection has finally addressed the Agrifarm situation, but the statement changes nothing. "Concerns about public health are always taken seriously," she claims, already disproven by how difficult it was for the parents' concerns in the first place.

Reid's nervousness hasn't dissipated by the time he gets in line behind two more people to get let in by Officer McNaulty. When it's his turn, she takes one look at his face and sighs.

"I thought you said you had learned your lesson? Please don't tell me you forgot your ID again," she says.

That is not what Reid expected out of this conversation. "No, sorry." His ID badge is dangling off a carabiner from one of his belt loops, along with the rest of his keys. When Reid looks down, however, his view is obstructed by the box of donuts. He figures McNaulty has the same issue.

It's difficult to hold the box with one hand and feel secure about it, because he really doesn't want these donuts to be smushed, too, by the time they reach Everett. But finally, he manages and has a hand free to unclip the carabiner to dangle it in front of Officer McNaulty's face. "I have it here, see?"

Her mouth twitches as she reaches out to scan it. "Good. He wouldn't be able to get you in today. I still haven't gotten my cookies."

Oh.Well, that's not good. He has a brief thought to offer her one of the donuts, but then he remembers the tone of voice with which Everett had mentioned donuts last Tuesday. It might have been teasing. He doesn't want the officer to get the impression that he's teasing her.

"I'm sorry?" he says.

She chuckles. "I should've known. That boy means well, but he has close to zero organizational talent. Something probably came up, and he forgot."

Reid sets his teeth against his bottom lip. Should she be telling him this? It feels wrong. But at least she doesn't seem angry.

"I don't suppose you'd be willing to help me get these to him?" he asks, lifting the box.

Officer McNaulty crosses her arms. "And what arethose,exactly?" She sounds amused, but still somehow intense. Reid has no idea how Everett treats her so flippantly. She's clearlyvery capable of doing damage. And then concealing it. He swallows.

"Donuts?" It comes out like a question. "I ran into him on Friday and destroyed an entire box of them he had. These are an apology."

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