“I was too. The guys are stuck when it comes to decorating. Since movies make you fall asleep, maybe we can run up their credit cards instead,” she smirks.
“I can get behind this,” I decide. “Dr. Walsh, how healed do you think my cuts need to be before I can have skin grafts?”
If it’s going to be awhile, I may as well do something productive to help my restlessness.
“I need to come by later today to cut the stitches so they can continue to heal. I ran home for more clothing,” he explains. “I pushed your pack to furnish the bedrooms first because I’ve been sleeping on a blow up mattress. Also, that insufferable doctor finally went home. He’s a fucking psych doctor, and he kept calling me old.”
“I’m sorry,” I murmur. I’ve been hearing stories about how Riley and Dr. Walsh have been fighting. Riley isn’t just a psych doctor, and also works in the emergency department. He’s well equipped to help, but his opinions have been loud from what I’ve been hearing.
The Five Packs and Nina’s pack have come to mean a lot to me, and I appreciate that they’re all so invested in my recovery.
“It’s fine,”he grumbles. “As for when we can do skin grafts, I need to check my emails to see who has gotten back to me. I’ll double check their credentials, and then schedule a video call so they can see how your back is healing. A decision will be made from there.”
So wait and see. Got it.
“It shouldn’t be too long,”he says, as he watches my face fall. “Do you want me to talk to you about your blood test results now or later?”
“Now is fine. This conversation is keeping me from feeling drowsy. I swear, I can’t stay awake for long.”
“Healing is hard work,” Dr. Walsh says with a shrug.
“What kind of damage did all of the shit Avery injected into my body do?” I ask, intent to rip the bandaid off.
“Muscle relaxers, epinephrine, bond breaking illegal drugs, and more. God, that woman needs to be put down like a damn dog,” Dr. Walsh grumbles. “Short term, I need to watch the kinds of medication I’ve been giving you. I’m weaning you off of your pain meds earlier than I typically would because of this. There’s only one type of bond breaking drug that’slegal that I know of, and that’s still earmarked for approval by the government. The reason it was made was for terminal illnesses. However, there was a laboratory found in the warehouse along with a factory manufacturing the concoctions Avery was making.
“They left in a hurry and Mr. Mayor confiscated and destroyed both drugs and the laboratory. We could see an influx of drugs hitting the streets soon, and Mr. Mayor said they’d do their best to shut it down. As for the long term effects of the drugs she gave you, I’m giving you anti-nausea medication for any withdrawal symptoms, but that shouldn’t be an issue thankfully.”
I have more than enough on my plate. Coming down again from drugs isn’t something I ever want to go through again.
“I think that the bond breaking medication didn’t work because you have an immunity to it, just like you’re immune to alpha barks. Whatever your father was giving you fucked Avery over,”Dr. Walsh explains. “I can’t prove this for sure, but I don’t need to when you lived through it. It’s possible your blood will have antibodies that will transfer to your children if you choose to have any.”
Holy shit. My lips part at that information, and then I think of something else. “Can I still have kids?” I ask. “They didn’t do anything to me that’ll affect that, right?”
“No. Your rapists didn’t use condoms, but that’s also part of the antibiotic protocol I’m giving you. There is nothing to indicate that you won’t be able to get pregnant if you wanted to,”he explains. “Of course, I wouldn’t suggest sexual activity for a little while.”
“We aren’t cavemen,” Nico grunts from the doorway. “We are able to control ourselves.”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it, boy.”Dr. Walsh says, rolling his eyes.
“Do you know any good therapists and psychiatrists who may want a job in Michigan?” I ask. “We’re kind of working on a project.”
“You’re not moving, are you?” he asks.
“No, Savannah is our home now,” Nico answers for me.
“In that case, I may. I’ll pull together a list once I check my emails,” he replies. “I’ll see you soon, Rosa. You’re holding it together really well, okay? It may not feel like it, but you are.”
Nodding, I say goodbye and feel my energy begin to wane. Nico comes closer to me, his sharp gaze taking in my features.
“Are you hungry?” he asks slowly. I think he’s offering more to make sure I have the option than because I may actually want food. My appetite has been pretty spotty, so I’ve been drinking broth from a cup. I don’t really feel like chewing anything.
“No,” I admit.
“Rest your eyes, and then you can run up my credit cards,” he smirks, the amusement not quite making it to his eyes. Instead, there’s worry there. “I may have been eavesdropping.”
“I knew you were there,” Vero says, unfazed. “The credit cards will be there, Rosa. This house is massive, and it needs a woman’s touch.”
“Mmhmm. We’re epically lost without the two of you,” Nico says dramatically.
