“It was a suspicion,” Sammy said, holding up a hand. “I didn’t know anything for sure. I figured I had time to look into it.”
“Then you disappeared,” Andy said. “And weren’t answering your phone.”
“I lost it in Central Park,” I admitted.
“What happened to your feet?” Sammy asked.
“Running. In heels. Then more running… in slippers. Followed by even more running in a different set of slippers.”
“Blisters?” Sammy asked.
“Big ones. That burst.”
“Did you see a doctor?” Sammy asked.
“A… surgeon,” I said, loving how Venezio’s lips twitched at our little secret.
“Okay. I’m going to need a lot more information than that,” Andy declared.
“There was a guy. He wanted to hurt us. We eventually got away. That’s theCliffsNotesof it.”
“And is he going to come back?” Sammy asked.
“No,” Venezio said, tone certain.
To that, Sammy nodded.
“Do you want to come stay with us for a while?” Andy asked. “Just to feel safe?”
“No. I want to stay here. Venezio is going to be with me.”
“Really?” Andy asked, eyebrows wiggling. “Is he your nursemaid too?”
“Got the care kit and everything,” Venezio confirmed, waving toward where he’d set the kit down on the dresser.
“Can you walk?” Sammy asked.
“I am under strict instructions not to walk,” I grumbled. “And I have so much to do.”
“You got nothing to do but rest and heal,” Venezio countered, making Andy smile.
“That’s a cute idea. But I have a charity to run. Thousands of kids who need to get presents.”
“I can handle that,” he insisted.
“That’s sweet, but no, you can’t.”
“I can actually get you a wheelchair,” Andy said.
“What? How?” Sammy asked.
“My mom. Remember when she broke her leg last year? She was such a pain in the ass that my brother got her a wheelchair so she could get around and stop bitching and moaning. It’s been sitting in her closet ever since. I can borrow it.”
“Can you? Like… soon?” I asked, brightening up slightly. Because as much as a part of me did want to rest and heal—preferably with Venezio at my side—I had to get back to the charity first thing in the morning.
“We can go right now,” Andy said. “If you’re sure you don’t need us.”
“I’m okay,” I assured them. “Really. I just really don’t want to have to be carried into and out of the bathroom,” I said. Even if that was only a small part of it.
