Michael appears in the doorway, unannounced. He catches my eye.
"Bad time, get out,"
He starts to say something.
"I'll tell you later. Go,"
He goes.
"Phoebe?"
She sniffs and lifts her head.
"You're going to hate me. But . . . Michael's girlfriend—"
"Fiancée," Michael corrects from the hallway.
"Michael's fiancée is a nurse. And—"
"No. I'm not going,"
"Hear me out," when she doesn't say anything, I continue. "Michael's fiancée is a nurse, and she's really, really nice. And I'm worried about all these injuries."
"No," she repeats.
"Come on, it's important. She could even come here and you wouldn't have to go to an office or anything. Please?"
She lets her head fall back. "I don't want to."
I'm winning her over. "Nobody does. That would be weird. But if I can get you away from your mom long enough for everything to heal, and you let Crystal work her magic, you'll be good as new."
"Get me away from my mom? How do you plan to do that?"
I shrug. "I'm not really sure yet. Maybe take it to court?"
"You can't do that. It's not how court works,"
"Whatever. The point is, I might have already texted her and you should cooperate,"
"You're impossible,"
When Crystal gets here, Phoebe starts to get nervous. I do my best to stay with her and help her relax, but it's not doing much today, she's way too keyed up.
I figure everybody could use a break, so I duck into the hall, Phoebe in tow. As soon as we're alone, she throws her arms around me, tears already wetting my shirt.
"You said—you said she was nice,"
I stroke her hair. "She is nice."
She cries harder. "I don't want to. Don't make me."
"Look, honey. It's just like when you and I are working, okay? Same thing. It took a little bit for you to trust me, and the same thing is going to happen with her, but I'll be here, if you want me,"
She takes a shuddering breath, then sobs again. "I want you there."
"Of course, of course. I'll stay right with you,"
"What's she going to do?"
"I'm not sure, you can ask her when we go back in. But probably get some vitals, then look at those spots and maybe treat some,"
Crystal pokes her head out. "Where would be easiest?"
"Exam room, probably. Past the bathroom, across the hall,"
Phoebe squeezes me around the waist.
"Deep breath," I say softly to her.
"I'll unpack in there. You guys come on in whenever you're ready,"
"Thanks, Crys,"
When she's disappeared into the room, I glance down to Phoebe. "Want to head in?"
She nods and lets go of me.
We get through vitals and the cuts on her arm with no tears, but when Crystal asks her to take off the hoodie to check her shoulder out, Phoebe breaks down.
