“I ran the front desk at a chain hotel in Boston, and they transferred me down here to do the same at Bayview.”
“Hmm,” I say.
“What?” she snaps. “What do you mean by that?”
“What?” I reply.
“Why did you say, ‘Hmm’?”
“You don’t strike me as the type to want to deal with needy people all day.” That might have been a little much, but she should know an attitude like that won’t get her anywhere around here, and I don’t think she’s putting on a show just for me. Maybe it’s from the pain, but I get the sense this is who she is. I have heard rumors about Boston girls and their spicy ways, and after meeting this one, I think it’s safe to assume there’s some truth to the rumors.
“As a matter of fact, I am alovelyperson. People like me, so your accusation couldn’t be farther from fact.”
Brendan snorts from behind her and quickly covers his mouth with the back of his hand. Scarlett turns to face him quicker than she should have because she squeals in pain, grabbing her wrist with her other hand. “Let’s just relax, okay?” I say gently as I reposition the ice on her wrist, and she glances up at me, an unsettled look swimming through her eyes.
“I’ve never broken a bone, had stitches, or surgery. The second I get here, I land in the hospital. This place is just bad luck,” she says.
“I guess so,” I agree. It most certainly hasn’t ever brought me any luck, so maybe she’s onto something.
A notification pops up on my pager, letting me know the X-ray tech is ready for her. “All right, I’m going to take you down to Radiology. Let me just grab a wheelchair real quick. Oh, and Brendan, why don’t you go have a seat out in the waiting area, and I’ll come get you when she’s through.”
“A wheelchair?” Brendan asks with panic.
“Hospital rules,” Austin says. “We don’t want her tripping in those heels on the way to radiology.”
Brendan stands up, looking a little wobbly. He leans over and gives Scarlett a kiss on the cheek. “I told you,” he says. “Ugh, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. It’ll be okay, babe.” I step out of the curtained area and grab the chair, listening for Scarlett’s response to her friend, but there’s nothing but silence. They’re an odd couple, I guess.
Once he’s out of triage, I help Scarlett up and into the chair and wheel her toward Radiology. “You’ve got a good guy there, ya know. He clearly cares about you,” I tell her. I should probably keep my thoughts to myself with this one.
“He’s not my guy,” she says. “He’s my friend.”
“Well, it may not be any of my business, but it sure seems like he cares about you as more than just a friend.”
Scarlett laughs but winces at the same time. “No, he’s not into women.”
“Ah, gotcha.” Foot in mouth. I’m so damn good at that. It’s one of my most remarkable qualities, as a matter of fact.
“Men can’t seem to put up with me for whatever reason, so it just happens to work out for Brendan and me.”
I can venture a guess that the “reason” might have something to do with her attitude, but I won’t judge while she’s in pain. “I can’t say my luck has been any different with women, so I hear ya.”
She glances over at me and gives me a once over. “Right, I’m sure.” She’s a snippy one all right.
