Doc prods tenderly on my arm near my wrist.
“Ow, yes.” I want to pull my arm away from him but hold as still as I can.
Royal, however, starts to growl from where he’s leaning against the doorframe.
Betty comes up behind him and smacks him upside the head. “Stop it. I taught you better than that.”
The interaction distracts me until Doc pushes harder. I let out a pained yelp, bringing my other hand up to stifle the sound.
“I definitely think something is broken.” Doc nods. “It would be best to get an X-ray and take a closer look. I have the portable machine here, but if it’s broken, the supplies for a cast are back at my workshop. Would be best to see you there. I think that’s what we do.”
I’m nodding along because Doc is talking to me, but I don’t feel like I have any say in what’s happening to me anymore. And since he thinks my arm is broken, it’s just one more thing to add to the pile of problems I’ve accumulated and feel helpless under. But for the first time, the people making decisions care. They’re taking over but doing so out of compassion, not for the sake of being in control.
“Alright, we’ll drive her over. Are we your last stop?” Betty smiles at me, but she’s addressing Doc.
“Yes, I was going to the O’Sheas’, but Tim isn’t answering his phone, and I’m not working with that ass of his alone.” Doc nods resolutely before picking up his bag and getting ready to leave.
“Alright, come along, dear.” Betty holds out her arms and gestures for me to get up from where I’d been seated at the dining room table.
“I’ll take her. You can stay here and war room with Dad and Valor,” Royal says, and without any argument, his mother agrees.
Out in Royal’s SUV, I struggle with the seat belt, and Royal reaches over from the driver’s seat to pull it across my lap with ease. He mumbles, “Sorry, I should have gotten that for you.”
I hum. “But Doc is a vet, isn’t he?” I try hard not to sound judgmental.
Royal nods. “Yeah, award winning. He’s best known for his work with — oh. I bet you’re kinda wanting to see a human doctor, huh?”
“I’ve never broken a bone before, so I don’t know.” Theemotions I’ve been shoving down, bottling up, and ignoring erupt, spilling out in tears and sobs until I’m shaking.
So lost in my breakdown, I don’t even see him get out of the car, but he opens my door, unbuckles me, and pulls me out, holding me to his chest. The sweater he’s wearing is soft against my face, and it feels comforting until I remember that, in part, this is his fault.
“I can’t believe you did this.” I choke out the words into his chest.
Royal runs his hand up and down my back. “I’m sorry. I thought I was protecting you. I never anticipated that they’d hurt you like this. I’m so fuckin’ sorry. I know you said no, but I didn’t see any other way to keep you safe. I was selfish, and I should have talked to you more about it.”
I don’t know that anyone has ever apologized to me and meant it like this. The way he’s holding me and resting his head against mine is comforting, but beyond that, there’s this connectedness I can’t explain. I’m enveloped in his arms, his scent, and the warmth and safety he provides.
Giant emotions crash down in waves over me. Heat of anger and frustration mix with the coolness of sorrow and tangle with the chill of relief. It takes a few minutes of sobbing and sweet comforting reassurances from Royal until I’m able to hold it together.
I push back and look up at him, wishing I had something profound to say. “Alright, let’s go see the vet.”
“I will absolutely get you to a human doctor if you prefer. Doc won’t be offended.” Royal brushes my hair back.
“I’m good.” I nod, swiping at my face. “But I need a tissue.”
“In the car. Let’s get you all warmed back up and over to Doc.”
Royal tucks me back into the vehicle, going so far as to pull out a blanket from the back of the SUV and draping it over my lap after buckling the seat belt for me. In the side pocket of the door is a car-sized box of tissues, and he makes sure I can reach them.
I’m snuggled in with the seat warmer on and the vents blowing warm air right at me.
When Royal settles in behind the wheel, my eyelids are heavy.
He looks over to me and reaches up to what I’m sure is a gooseegg growing from where I hit the wall. “We’re a good half hour from Doc’s place. It’s okay if you rest.”
51
ROYAL
