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“I shouldn’t have gone back to the house…” Mona trailed off. “… but he caught me, threw me onto the back of a truck, and drove away. I was so scared, but I got the tie off my wrists and jumped off.”
“You jumped off a moving vehicle? Who was it you were running from?” A shocked Amanda prodded, but Mona stopped talking. “You don’t have to be scared anymore. Just tell me what happened, and we can talk to the police or—”
“No! Don’t call the police. Please!” Mona pushed Amanda’s hands off her. Her whole body went on alert, shocking Amanda.
“Why not?” Amanda asked, keeping her voice level. “Whatever trouble you’re in, they can help you.”
“No, no. They’ll hurt them.”
“Who? The police?”
Mona shook her head so hard Amanda was afraid she’d hurt her neck. Tears streamed out of the girl’s eyes.
“Mona, you’re safe. Beau’s safe. Nobody’s gonna hurt you,” Amanda assured her. “I’m gonna be right here with you both, okay?”
“You don’t understand.” The girl sobbed. “They’ll know.”
“Who, Mona? Your parents?” The girl didn’t answer, but became more upset. “It’s okay, Mona.” Amanda quickly said and put her arm around the girl’s shoulders, trying to calm her down. But the girl was inconsolable.
Gene walked to the waiting room the nurse left Amanda and Mona in while waiting for news on Beau. The ER was busy, per usual. Though he had to push back on the red tape and charm some nurses to let him stay with Beau and Amanda with Mona, though they weren’t blood relations, he was glad the staff were attentive and handled Beau’s bite efficiently.
Mentioning he worked with Dr. Bloom was also helpful. The good doctor had some privileges at the hospital. Being one of the most trusted family doctors in the area, it wasn’t uncommon for someone like Dr. Bloom to have courtesy or even surgical privileges with the local hospital. But since Gene himself didn’t have that agreement, he’d stood aside and watched.
No matter. I was there to make sure Beau got what he needed.
It was an interesting moment for him to check with himself whether he’d be able to step away from the urgency and adrenaline inducing ER work. Family practice came with its challenges, but would he get the satisfaction he’d been looking for?
Gene was about to enter the glass enclosed room but stopped short when he saw Amanda embracing the sobbing Mona. Without caring about the girl’s dirty hair, Amanda rested the girl’s head on her shoulder, stroking her arm and just letting the girl cry.
Amanda didn’t even know this girl. But Gene knew she felt somehow responsible for her and Beau. She’d made it her mission to find them over a moment that had led to her car crash. Most people would curse the girl for costing them a car and a trip to the doctor.
But not Amanda. She had a huge heart.
Gene knocked on the door, alerting his presence before pushing it open. Mona jumped off her seat, her face blotchy with tears.
“Where’s my brother?” she demanded.
“Beau is resting. They gave him the anti-venom he needed. He’ll be good as new in a couple of weeks. It didn’t look he got that much of the venom in his system.”
“I wanna see him,” Mona said.
“I’ll take you.” Gene gestured for her to come with him.
They walked back toward the ER area, and Gene showed her into Beau’s room. The boy was sleeping, and Mona went straight to his side. After giving the girl a chair to sit by her brother’s bed, Gene joined Amanda just outside the curtained area.
“Is Beau really gonna be okay?” Amanda asked.
Gene nodded. “He’s exhausted from lack of sleep, dehydration, and not enough nutrition in the past week. He’s on mild pain meds and IV. Mona probably could use some sustenance herself.”
“She drank some juice but wouldn’t eat. Maybe now she’s seen her brother, she’ll eat something.”
“We can offer her again.” Gene studied Amanda. She looked tired herself. “How are you feeling? You look like you could use some food yourself.”
“I could use some coffee, but I don’t want to leave the kids.”
“I’ll grab you a cup.”
“No, it can wait.” She stopped him with a touch of her hand on his arm. “Mona begged me not to call the police. She said they’d hurt them.”
