Simple Man

- TWENTYFIVE -

"I just want to say what you did was incredibly stupid. You could have been permanently disfigured or killed and—" Iyana started saying.

"Iyana I know, I just couldn't—" Kyra began

Iyana cut her off right back and continued, "And I'm incredibly proud of you. You saved that boys' life today."

Kyra was stunned as tears welled up and she started crying, not loudly but she hugged Iyana as they both sat in the waiting room. Iyana hesitated but hugged the little girl back. They both were waiting patiently for Gabriel as he was getting checked out by Dr. Titus Franklin in the next room. Kyra had already been seen, regaling the doctor with the story of them versus the massive Rottweilers. Dr. Franklin was an older man whose ancestors where one of the founding members of Juniper. He was quiet but shared amused glances with Iyana as he sewed seven stitches in Kyra's foot and cleaned and dressed her arm.

Now it was Gabriel that was to be looked at, his leg was in much worse shape but Iyana was confident that he would be fine. Perhaps more wary around dogs for a while but no worse wear besides. Just then Iyana heard the roar of an engine and a bright yellow truck with a confederate flag emblazoned its front plate pull up, not in the driveway but in the lawn, one of the large tires ruining the ferns that lined the front sidewalk. The horn blew loudly before the engine was cut off and someone jumped out of the the vehicle.

Great. Bobby was here.

Dr. Franklin burst out of the patient room and into the waiting room where Iyana and Kyra stood looking as bewildered as they watched Bobby through the window walking up the sidewalk in a frenzy. "What's going on?" Iyana asked.

Dr. Franklin grimaced before answering, "Ignorance."

   Bobby's white tank was stained with grease and something yellow, his pants sagged down to reveal a less than clean pair of boxers. His work boots hit the hardwood floor of the porch heavy as he pulled at the front door and barged into the clinic shouting, "That little n—" He started but Dr. Franklin cut him off.

"How dare you come into my office shouting! I know you weren't just about to racial epithet in this company Mr. Lee." Dr. Franklin demanded.

Iyana saw Gabriel look around the door of the patient room to see what was going on before turning back to the redneck in front of them. Bobby had deflated a little but he pointed a dirty finger in the doctors' face, "Now listen here, you called me telling' me these kids trespassed on my property and were bit up real bad. You was worried my dogs got rabies or somethin'! They ain't go no rabies but I went over there and Daisy and Petunia are much worse off then these fuckers, believe that!"

"Their names are Daisy and Petunia?" Kyra asked in disbelief, Iyana smacked her lightly across the head.

Bobby turned on Kyra and advanced towards her. Iyana pushed herself in front of him, smelling the alcohol on his breath as he bent down a little to get a good look at the girl, "Were you the one who hurt Petunia's eyes? You little shits, they are bloodshot! She can barely open them! You're lucky I was there, I would have shot you."

"Not really wise to say that in front of her aunt and other witnesses." Iyana said, her tone was quiet but lethal.

"Fuck you gonna about it princess? My uncle is the deputy sheriff. They was trespassing. I have rights."

"You aren't going to threaten children in front of me." Dr. Franklin said, "I need Daisy and Petunia's latest medical records, I need to verify they are up to date with their shots."

"Eat shit and go back to where you came from old man." Bobby spat at the doctor.

Dr. Franklin laughed, "I'm seventh generation Franklin of the Juniper Franklins. You know, one fourth of the members that founded this damn town. I don't have to move a muscle to be where I came from. Now I'm expecting those papers and also you will reimburse me for the damages to my ferns. Ones that size are rather expensive but if you scrap enough metal I'm sure you can find the money. Now if you don't get your scrawny white ass out of my office I will have you trespassed and then who will be able to see you as regularly as I do?"

Bobby flushed, "You wouldn't dare. You know I need those meds."

"Then I suggest you leave, now." Iyana hissed as she protectively held onto Kyra who was still behind her.

"This isn't over. Your girl and that boy should watch themselves, I'd hate to see either of them get hurt."

"Get out." Iyana said, ready to grab her Glock if he pushed her any further.

   Bobby smirked at her as his eyes slowly wondered up and down the length of her body, "Feisty."

"You heard the lady." Dr. Franklin asserted.

   Bobby chuckled as he opened the door and left the four there in the clinic waiting room, Dr. Franklin closed the door after him. "What did mean we should watch ourselves?" Gabriel asked, still standing in the doorway of the patient room, his arm not yet bandaged.

"Don't worry about him. Bobby is a coward. He's a lot of talk but unlike his dogs he has no bite." Dr. Franklin said.

"What is an epithet mean?" Kyra asked, barely able to pronounce the word.

"It's a fancier word for slur." Iyana explained.

"Oh." Kyra replied, looking disquieted, "I know what that is."

"I'll follow up with him about that paperwork. Hopefully he complies but just in case I already took samples from the both childrens' injuries and I will send them off the the lab in New Orleans first thing in the morning." Dr. Franklin told Iyana.

"I can't thank you enough. I hated having to call you on one of your days off but the kids and I really needed you." Iyana replied, gratefully

"It's not a problem." Dr. Franklin said, "But let me get back to young Gabriel here so you all can take him home. His grandmother is worried sick but she's too old to drive so she wanted me to let you know she appreciates that you're willing to drop him off."

"It's nothing. Really. These kids have been through a lot today, it's the least I can do." Iyana assured the doctor and he smiled softly before turning to Gabriel.

"Well, Mr. Santos, at least you won't have to be amputated." Dr. Franklin said as he walked back toward the patient room.

"What!?" Gabriel shouted and Dr. Franklin chuckled as he closed the door to tend to the confused and gullible young man.