Etienne watched the video and turned red.
She took it and handed it to Tosh.“Don’t want to leave you out.”
He smiled, and the smile faded when he watched the attack.
“The police have copies of it.They arrested him for that and a separate attack later in the evening.My brother’s mate Emery figured out that I had internal bleeding.Hooray for EMTs.”
Dr.Aquilar said, “Have you contacted the attorneys, Dex?”
“No.Not going to either.I know you mean well, but that’s an expense I can’t deal with either.”
“Where the hell does your money go?”
“My stepfather forced power of attorney when I was nineteen, and he is the legal owner of this house if he forces it.He keeps my account balances low, so I can’t hire legal representation.I have yet to find one that didn’t want a hefty retainer that I don’t have.”
Dr.Aquilar said, “You could have asked for help.”
“From whom?My one friend outside of work has her own stuff going on.”
“You could have asked me.”
“Doc, you haven’t been to the shop in six years.”
He sighed.“You could have asked Etienne.”
“He told me to fuck off so he could find a willing blonde.”
Etienne covered his eyes.
“Joke’s on him.I am blonde.I just dye it.”She felt pain wrap tightly around her torso.
Tosh put her phone down and said, “Okay, breathe through the pain, Dex.”
She nodded and stayed still.
She heard Dr.Aquilar barking orders, and then Etienne lifted her and carried her outside.She came to and looked at Tosh.“Would you...”
“Get your groceries and put them away?Yes.”
“Thank you.”She returned to a state of white-hot pain as Etienne buckled her in with roaring filling her ears.She whispered, “I can’t hear much, but thanks for the lift, Etienne.”
He said something she didn’t catch, and then they were driving through the city.She focused on breathing, and she could feel the stabbing in every entry point for her previous day’s surgery.
They stopped, and she was unbuckled and eased out of the car, hearing it close as Etienne carried her toward the building.The door opened automatically, and Dr.Aquilar’s voice started clearing a path for them straight to the fifth floor, and an IV line was started in her left forearm instead of her hand.
She was panting in pain, and Dr.Aquilar smoothed her hair.“It’s okay, Dex.We will get you fixed up, and you can be back in your shoe room in no time.”
She opened her eyes, and light danced across her vision.“Yay.”
He paused.“Is your hair lighter?”
“Yes.I dye it just so no one will think I am chasing your son.It costs a bit, but I am worth it.Does make me itchy, though.”She looked at him.“Why?”
“How long until it washes out?”
“A week or so.It isn’t blonde though.It’s white.”
Dr.Aquilar smiled.“Close enough.”
