Page 122 of Badges
No. I’ve done much worse than violating parole for her.
My head shakes as I stand. “I’m not going to sit here and watch you be in pain for six hours.”
Sending Wade a rapid text of what’s happening, I hope he can get it in time.
I grab my keys and coat, then help her wrap her jacket around her shoulder.
This is the first time I’ve driven my Jeep since I got it back last week.
I didn’t think it’d be like this.
Luckily, there isn’t anyone in the waiting room when we get there.
A nurse with kind brown eyes pushes open the door to the ER. “Cynthia Rowland?”
“That’s me.” My sister has a dull glaze when she stands.
It makes me sick knowing how badly she’s hurting.
“My name is Maggie. I just need you to step on that scale real quick.” The nurse pauses, pointing to the small platform.
Cynthia steps up dutifully to be weighed, then we both follow Maggie into a curtained off area.
I check my texts again, but it looks like Wade hasn’t seen them yet.
It makes a knot form in my throat.
When the fabric wall is pushed open, Dixon blinks for a second before striding in and sitting on the rolling stool near the stretcher. “Well hi, Cynthia. I heard you hurt your wrist. Can I take a look?”
She wrinkles her nose. “I’m confused. You’re a doctor?”
His dark mustache pulls up in a smile. “I am. A good one, I promise.”
Holding her arm out carefully, she answers all of his questions and only tries to jerk away once when he touches an angry looking bump above the joint.
“X-rays it is. I’d say with about ninety-nine percent accuracy it’s broken, but let the pictures tell us how badly and where. Think you can do that?” Dixon rolls back, jotting down a note on the clipboard in his lap.
Cynthia raises her chin and sets her jaw, then nods.
“You’re lucky it isn’t busy. We should have you home in no time.” He pulls the curtain closed when he leaves.
“I didn’t know,” she whispers.
“Does it make it easier knowing him?” I say in hushed tones in reply.
“Yea. He knows Trixie really well. So I’m glad he won’t be mad at her.” She almost looks relieved.
“‘Thia, I know it wasn’t her fault. I’m just worried that you’ll get hurt again.” I reach out and rest my palm on her knee.
Her forehead furrows. “Please don’t make me get rid of her. I love her. Grandpa got her for me. Don’t you see? I’ve never had anything that wasmine.” She takes rapid breaths with her rising voice.
“I never said that. I just love you and don’t like seeing you in pain.” I hope one day she understands just how far I’d go for her.
She’s fighting the tears when Maggie pops her head through the slit. “Follow me, kiddo.”I stand up too, but she holds up her palm.
“Nope, you stay here. I know Cynthia is tough enough to have her picture taken on her own.” Maggie gives me a practiced smile.
“I’ll be fine. I’m practically a teenager.” Cynthia disappears after Maggie, leaving me alone to consider what she said.
