"Dentist can see him at ten," Dean says. "That work?"
I nod, relief washing through me. "Yes. That's great."
"It's Dr. Harrison. His office is downtown."
"What kind of favor does he owe the club?" I can't help asking.
Dean's mouth quirks in what might be a smile. "Nothing illegal. We provided security for his daughter's wedding last year. Rival family was causing trouble."
"Oh." I'm not sure whether to believe that's the whole story, but it doesn't really matter. Max needs a dentist, and beggars can't be choosers.
"Should I wear something..." I gesture vaguely at my worn jeans and faded t-shirt. "I don't want him to think..."
"You're fine," Dean says. "Harrison's not judgmental. And you look..." He pauses, seeming to search for the right word. "You look good, Sidney."
The compliment, however awkward, warms me unexpectedly. It's been a long time since anyone has noticed me as a woman, not just as Max's mother or a person in need.
"Thanks," I murmur, suddenly self-conscious. "I should get him ready. And myself."
Dean nods. "I'll be downstairs when you're ready to go."
I gather Max and head upstairs, digging through our meager belongings for the least worn-out clothes I can find. For Max, it's easy. He has few options, so the dinosaur shirt and jeans will have to do. For myself, I settle on jeans without holes and a blue blouse that's only slightly faded. My hair is a lost cause, so I pull it into a neat ponytail.
When we return downstairs, Dean is on the phone, his voice low and serious.
"Yeah, I'll be there. Just have this thing with the kid first... No, it's fine. I can handle both." He notices us and quickly ends the call. "Ready?"
I nod, hoisting Max onto my hip. The medicine seems to have helped; he's not rubbing his jaw anymore.
Dean drives us into town in his pickup truck. Max is secure in his car seat between us on the bench seat, chattering about thetrucks and cars we pass. The ibuprofen has clearly kicked in, brightening his mood considerably.
Blackwater Falls looks different in daylight: a small, quaint town with a main street of brick buildings and locally-owned businesses. People nod to Dean as we pass, some with respect, others with wariness. The Savage Riders clearly have a presence here, though whether that presence is welcomed or merely tolerated, I can't tell.
The dental office is in a converted old house painted a cheerful yellow. Dr. Harrison turns out to be a middle-aged man with kind eyes and a gentle manner that immediately puts Max at ease. He examines Max's mouth while I hold my son's hand, Dean standing awkwardly nearby.
"He has an abscessed molar," Dr. Harrison explains. "It needs to be extracted. The good news is that it's a baby tooth, so it's not a permanent loss."
"Is it serious?" I ask, my stomach knotting with guilt.
"It's infected, so yes, it needs to be addressed. But we caught it before it could spread or cause other complications." He gives me a reassuring smile. "Kids this age get tooth infections more often than you'd think. It's not a reflection on your parenting."
The kindness in his voice nearly undoes me. "Thank you," I manage.
"We can take care of it today, if you'd like. He'll need antibiotics afterward, and soft foods for a few days, but kids bounce back quickly."
I glance at Dean, wondering if he needs to leave for his meeting, but he's already nodding. "Today is good."
Dr. Harrison looks between us. "He'll need to be sedated. It's very mild. He'll just be sleepy and won't remember much. One of you can stay with him the whole time."
"I will," I say immediately.
"We both will," Dean corrects, surprising me.
The procedure itself is quick. Max is drowsy from the sedation, curled in my lap while Dr. Harrison works. Dean sits beside us, his large hand covering Max's tiny one. When Max whimpers, Dean tenses beside me, his jaw clenching as if he's physically restraining himself from intervening.
It's over in less than an hour. Max is groggy but no longer in pain, a small gauze pad tucked against his gum. Dr. Harrison gives us care instructions and a prescription for antibiotics.
"He did great," the dentist assures us. "Give him soft foods today. Ice cream, yogurt, mashed potatoes. He'll be back to normal by tomorrow."
