Dr. Amanda walks into the room holding some X-rays.
“What’s up, Doc?” I say to defuse the tension between Beau and me.
“You must be feeling better for that quality of repartee,” she says, but smiles kindly at me.
“Will my insurance pay for the judgement, or is that out of pocket?”
“It’s a free sample. That I’m giving you because you have a fracture.” She segues into a diagnosis, like a true professional. “It’s a small fracture on your left wrist, so we’re going to get a cast on you and then you’ll get healed right up. Easy.”
Maybe easy for her to say. It would beeasierfor me if my bone was in its original state, and I could enjoy the rest of this trip without restrictions or pain.
“Can I have a pink cast at least?”
“We can do that.” Dr. Obliging pats me on the non-injured shoulder.
“Can I have a sparkly pink cast?”
“I don’t think we have glittery cast material, but I can always check for you.”
“Thank you,” I mutter after the woman.
Beau sits next to me on the exam bed on my non-injured side and slides an arm around my waist. “You’re holding up really well.”
Well, the pain medication is helping. “I’m deducting points from the South for this.”
“You can’t do that. The camel was imported. Most likely.”
“Nonsense. A Northern camel would never do me like this.” I hold up my arm and immediately regret...everything I’ve done today.
“I think he was a Northern camel. I heard him ask about where the closest slice was, so, you know.”
“Will you be the first person to sign my cast?” I change the subject because he’s just talking nonsense now.
“Of course. I’ll draw your art-lovin’ self a picture and everything.”
I sniff. Well, that should be worth some of this pain at least.
Amanda comes back to the room and I feel a lot kinder toward her with Beau wrapped around me like Saran Wrap.
She does the (non-glittery, but still pink) cast with minimal pain and Beau drives us back to the family barn.
Eve descends on me the second I get out of the truck. “I’m so sorry. I never would have put you on the camel if I knew he was so wild. Is there anything I can get you? Sweet tea? Some more Zaxby’s? Guilt jewelry?”
“It’s not your fault. And it’s not the camel’s fault either.” But I’m not going to explain that it was all because I was creeping on Beau with the then-unknown Dr. Perfect. However, if it makes her feel better... “I’ll take some sweet tea though, if it’s not too much trouble.”
Eve looks relieved to have a task to accomplish and rushes off to get me the drink.
I settle down on the same bale of hay Beau was watching me from earlier and watch the chaos in front of me. Now exempt from doing any work, so there is that at least.
Beau sits down next to me, arm wrapped around me again. Eve brings the cold drink, and I sip. This I can get used to. Well, maybe a blanket on this hay would be more comfortable. Or maybe just a leather couch instead would be better. And it’d be best to be inside, away from Ramses, who is giving me accusatory looks, like he knows he’s getting blamed for my mistake.
“What is this all about anyway?” I watch the activity in front of us.
“Mom didn’t give you the history?”
“No. But she was very specific about the tasks I needed to do.”
“Sounds like Mom. The company started the tradition of having a Christmas parade with a live nativity when they started. The grandpas wanted to give back to the community, so they started the parade, plus a dinner for everyone and presents for the kids at the end in the town square. With games, booths and small rides.”
