Page 42 of Breaking Hollywood

“I’m a doctor. And a resident at that. Too many hours are part of the job description.”

“Just don’t kill yourself when you don’t need to.”

I’m always offering him money to set up his own private practice, but he won’t take it.

“I’m fine, Gabe. Look, I’ll swing by in the morning before work. I’m not on until lunchtime tomorrow. I’ll bring breakfast.”

“Sounds good.”

“See you then.”

I hang up and push my cell into the pocket of my shorts. Grabbing my crutches, I get up and go off to find Speedy.

As soon as I wrangle open my bedroom door, I hear that sound again.

“Baaahhh! Baaahhh!”

I head in the direction of the sound. It’s coming from the kitchen.

I walk in the kitchen, and it’s empty, but I see the utility room door is open. I can hear the quiet whispers of Speedy’s voice.

“Gucci, you have to be quiet.”

Gucci? Who the fuck is Gucci?

“I know, baby girl. I’m sorry. I don’t want you stuck in here all day, but I don’t have any other choice. I’ll figure something out though; don’t worry.”

I make my way through the kitchen as deftly as I can on crutches. I can see Speedy. She’s crouched down, her back to me, still talking away.

It doesn’t look like she’s on the phone.

“Baaahhh!”

“Gucci, please. He’ll hear you.”

“Is there a fucking sheep in my apartment?”

She nearly jumps out of her skin. Grabbing ahold of whatever is making that noise, she holds it to her chest, keeping her back to me.

“Speedy?”

“Baaahhh! Baaahhh!”

“Ava, turn the fuck around and show me what’s in your arms.”

She turns slowly, a look of guilt and apprehension on her face.

My eyes nearly bug out of my head. “Is that a fucking…goat?”

“A pygmy goat.”

“Why is there a fucking pygmy goat in my apartment?”

“Well, because she’s mine. I didn’t have anywhere to keep her today, and I needed to come back here to help you. And I know I shouldn’t have brought her here, but I didn’t have any other choice.”

“Why do you have a goat?”

“She’s called Gucci.”