Heart of Stone

Treatment

"I've actually seen what you're talking about. I know it isn't that." He said gently.

She covered the spot with her hand, glancing away as she remembered that day. She felt suddenly bare beneath his gaze, and she didn't like it, not really knowing Gabriel outside of her shop. Although, she supposed now they knew each other a bit better. If Alexander trusted him, perhaps she could too.

"It happened at a hospital. A nurse broke a needle off in my arm and it was too far in for them to pull out, so they made a shallow cut and dug it out." She explained quietly.

He frowned. He knew of some very shoddy medical work, but every time he heard a story, a note of anger shot through him. If they weren't going to be there to practice medicine compassionately, they shouldn't be there at all.

"What hospital was this?" He asked.

"It was the hospital here, in Rosewood Springs." She answered.

"Who was the doctor?" He questioned.

"It was a long time ago now; I don't really remember." She said honestly.

"Do you at least remember the date?" He asked.

"I do, actually...it was June 15th, 2016." She said.

Gabriel had been a resident in a different hospital at that time, so he likely wouldn't have known who the doctor was, but he could certainly find out.

"What was the visit for?" He asked curiously.

"...I don't really want to talk about that." She said reluctantly.

"That's alright. I wasn't trying to pry." He gave her a warm smile.

She gave a small one in return and decided to lay back down.

"You've got probably another 20 minutes left before that bag is empty. I don't think Alexander would feel comfortable if I left you here on your own. Would you like me to call him?" He asked.

"Ohh, no. I know he's busy, I wouldn't want to bother him. I actually do have someone I can call and see if she'll come stay with me." Eloise said.

"Alright, I'll let him know you're feeling a bit better." He said, standing from her bedside.

She nodded and watched him step out of her bedroom. She picked up her phone and dialed Violet's number. She explained the situation to her cousin and asked if she would come spend the night with her. Violet gladly agreed.

In Eloise's kitchen, Gabriel made a quick phone call to Alexander.

"Hey, how is she?" Alexander immediately asked.

"She's a little better. The IV bag will finish soon and she's going to have someone come stay with her. I ended up giving her a shot of antibiotics because her throat looked pretty bad." He explained.

"Good." He could hear the relief in his cousin's reply.

"Do you have time for a quick question?" Gabriel asked.

"What is it?" Alexander replied.

"Have you ever noticed a scar on LouLou's arm?" He asked quietly, not wanting her to hear.

"No, why?" Alexander sounded curious.

"She just mentioned something about some misconduct at the hospital, but she didn't really want to talk about it. I was wondering if she'd told you anything." He said.

"No, she hasn't said anything. Are you being nosy again?" Alexander wondered.

"No, I'm being serious. Something about the way she said it bothered me." He said.