“All right, for now we’ll handle this the old-fashioned way. We’ll eliminate any physical cause. I’ll prescribe fresh air, rest, regular meals—and some good, safe sex if you can get it,” she added with a smile.
“Sex isn’t one of my priorities.”
“Well, honey, then you are crazy.”
Jo blinked, then snorted out a laugh as Kirby dabbed the inside of her elbow with alcohol. “Thanks.”
“No charge for insults. And the last part of the prescription is to talk. With me, with your family, with whoever you can trust to listen. Don’t let it build up again. You’re cared for, Jo. Lean a little.”
She shook her head before Jo could speak. “Your brother cares enough to drag you in here—here to a place he’s avoided like the plague since I moved in. And if I’m any judge of character, he’s out there right now pacing and muttering and worried sick that I’m going to go out and tell him his sister has three weeks to live.”
“It would serve him right.” Jo sighed heavily. “Even if I do feel better now than I have in weeks.” Then her eyes fastened on the syringe and widened. “What the hell is that for?”
“Just need a little blood.” Needle poised, Kirby grinned. “Want to scream, and see how long it takes him to run in here?”
Jo averted her eyes, held her breath. “I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.”
***
WHEN Jo was dressed again, Kirby tossed her a fat plastic bottle. “They’re just vitamins,” she said. “High-potency. If you start eating right, you won’t need them. But they’ll give you a boost for now. I’ll let you know when the blood work comes back from the lab, but everything else is within normal range.”
“I appreciate it, really.”
“Show it, then, by taking care of yourself and talking to me when you need to.”
“I will.” It always felt a bit odd for her to make an overtly affectionate move, but she stepped over and kissed Kirby’s cheek. “I will. And I meant what I said. I feel better than I have in a long time.”
“Good. Follow Doctor Kirby’s orders, and you should feel better yet.” Keeping her concerns to herself, she led Jo out.
Brian was exactly where she’d expected, restlessly pacing her living room. He stopped and scowled at them both. Kirby met the look with a bright smile.
“You have a bouncing one-hundred-and-ten-pound girl, Daddy. Congratulations.”
“Very funny. What the hell’s wrong with you?” he demanded of Jo.
She angled her head, narrowed her eyes. “Bite me,” she suggested, then strolled to the door. “I’m walking back. Thanks for squeezing this idiot’s whims into your schedule, Kirby.”
“Oh, I’ve been working on doing just that for months.” She chuckled as the screen door slammed.
“I want to know what’s wrong with my sister.”
“She’s suffering from acute brotheritis at the moment. While extremely irritating, it’s rarely fatal.”
“I want a fucking straight answer,” he said between his teeth, and she nodded approvingly.
“I like you even better when you’re human.” She turned to the coffeepot, pleased to see he’d made himself useful and had brewed fresh. “All right, straight answers. Would you like to sit down?”
His stomach jittered painfully. “How bad is it?”
“Not nearly as bad as you apparently think. You take it black, don’t you? Like a real man.” Her breath caught when he closed a hand hard over her arm.
“I’m not in the mood for this.”
“Okay, so my witty repartee isn’t going to relax you. It’ll take a couple of weeks to get full test results back, but I can give you my educated opinion from the exam. Jo’s a little run-down. She’s edgy and she’s stressed and she’s annoyed with herself for being edgy and stressed. What she needs is exactly what you’ve shown me you can give her. Support—even when she kicks against it.”
The first trickle of relief loosened the pressure in his chest. “That’s it? That’s all?”
She turned away to finish pouring the coffee. “There’s doctor-patient confidentiality. Jo’s entitled to her privacy and to my discretion.”
