Page 59 of The Silent Note

“Do you think black people can’t be doctors? Or is it because I’m a woman?”

His jaw drops, eyes widening instantly. “What? O-of course not.”

“Is that the kind of man you are!” Grey’s voice climbs and she steps closer to him. He retreats, hands in the air like she’s holding a gun. “Should I report to your bosses that they’ve employed a racist, misogynist?—”

“No. No.” Immediately, the guard’s entire demeanor shifts from defensive to apologetic. “I’m not a racist. My best friend is black.”

“Good. That’s—that’s good.” Grey nods a little awkwardly. “Well, then…” She clops forward.

I hurry behind her, amused and impressed.

“But—” the guard calls.

We both freeze.

“—I’m still going to need to see some ID.”

Grey exchanges a panicked look with me.

I lift my good hand, fingers primed into a fist.

She shakes her head, pushing my hand down.

Fine. If my wife doesn’t want me to fight then…

I whirl around, clawing at my throat and gasping for air. “Huuuuuh. Huuuuh.” I make distressed, breathless sounds. “I can’t…”

Grey taps right into the role and flings herself in front of me. “Nurse Kimmel. Nurse Kimmel!” She twists her neck to glare at the guard. “Why did you do that? You trigged him to enter one of his episodes.”

“Huuuuh. Huuuuh.” I gasp.

“What do I do?” The security guard hurries ahead, wringing his hands.

“Just stay back,” she hisses.

I’m about to give her a subtle thumbs up when her hand flies out of nowhere and she slaps me in the face.

My surprise is genuine. So is the little ‘oof’ of pain that flies out of my mouth.

“Snap out of it, Nurse Kimmel!”

I give her the stink eye.

And the little hellion gives a smug little grin in return.

Seconds later, I get another slap.

“Snap out of it!”

I grab her hand, straightening to my full height and glowering down at her.

Just then, an alarm clangs.

The security guard sniffs. “Do you smell smoke?” He sniffs harder and then takes off at a brisk run.

Grey and I follow.

I stare a hole into her back, still miffed about the slapping.

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