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“I’m not suggesting you become a monk. I’m saying you should pick someone and stick with her. That would be healthier, too.”
He holds up his hand. “Okay, Doctor. That’s enough. I didn’t come here for my health.”
Finally, time to get down to business.
“Why did you come?” I ask him.
“Because someone told me there’s an outsider in town,” Ned answers. “A woman and a baby. And I didn’t see them on my way here, so I’m guessing they must be inside.”
Someone told him? Who? At any rate, it doesn’t matter.
“Yes, they are. I’m tending to them as any doctor should.”
His eyebrows crease. “They’re injured?”
“No, but the woman collapsed. I’m not yet finished giving the baby a full check-up.”
Ned nods. “And you don’t think they look suspicious? Not here to cause trouble?”
I frown. Why does everyone here still think every outsider means trouble?
“No. The woman doesn’t look like a serial killer, and the baby… well, the baby barely has any teeth, so I doubt she’ll…”
“Whoa!” Ned stands up. “I was just asking, man.”
And I got too defensive. I draw a deep breath.
“Trust me, the woman and the baby don’t mean any harm.”
“That doesn’t mean they aren’t trouble. Do you have her name?”
“Not yet,” I answer. “I’ll ask her when she wakes up.”
“No ID?” Ned asks.
I shake my head.
He taps his fingers on his thigh. “In my book, that’s suspicious.”
“Or it could mean she doesn’t want to remember who she is.”
Ned’s eyes narrow. “What did you find out, Antonio?”
I let out a breath. I guess I have to tell him, at least.
“I think she ran away from whoever was beating her up,” I say.
Ned’s eyebrows arch. Then they go back down as he scratches his chin.
“You saw bruises?” he asks.
I nod.
“Then she should file a report.”
“Maybe. But I don’t know if that’s what she wants. She ran away, after all. She came all the way here.”
She chose flight, not fight. Maybe because she doesn’t think she has a chance of winning.
“Hey.” Ned places a hand on my shoulder. “You’re not thinking of taking them under your wing, are you?”
How can I not after seeing what that woman has been put through?
“I don’t know yet,” I answer. “But I do think it’s my decision.”
Ned sighs. “Antonio…”
“Don’t worry about me,” I tell him. “Just promise me you won’t tell anyone what I just told you.”
“About her being a runaway and a punching bag?”
I nod. “That’s no one’s business.”
“It’s not yours, either.”
“Ned.” I look into his eyes.
For a moment, he stares back at me without saying a word. Then he lets out another sigh as he touches his neck.
“Fine. I promise.”
“Thanks.” I pat his shoulder and give him a slight smile. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to my patient.”
It doesn’t matter who she is or where she’s from. If my theory is right, she needs help. That’s enough reason for me to take care of her.
~
She wakes up an hour later. For the first few moments, she blinks at the ceiling. Then she just stares at it for a while. Eventually, her mind kicks in and she sits up with a look of panic on her face. I get up from my stool.
“It’s okay,” I assure her as I approach her bedside. “You’re okay. Your baby is okay, too.”
She looks at me with wide eyes. Amber eyes, like those of a cat in the darkness.
“My baby?”
“Yes, your baby. You have a baby girl, remember?”
Don’t tell me she has amnesia, too.
To my relief, she gives a nod. “Right. The baby… in the bassinet.”
“She’s alright. My assistant is taking care of her right now. She has two children herself, so she knows exactly what she’s doing.”
Her eyes narrow. “Assistant?”
Ah. She looks just as lost as I did.
“By the way, I’m Dr. Antonio Woods,” I introduce myself. “I’m the only physician here in Summerset. It’s a small town, after all. Not too well-known, either. I’m surprised you were able to find it. And you are?”
Instead of answering, she looks at the needle attached to her arm. She starts to pull it out but I stop her.
“Don’t!” I grab her wrists. “Please don’t be afraid. It’s okay. I’m not your enemy.”
“Then let me go!” She tries to free her hands. “I have to go!”
“Shh. It’s okay. Just calm down.”
“You don’t understand!”
“Listen.” I grip her hands tighter and look into her eyes. “You’re safe here. You and your baby are safe here, I promise. You’ve done enough. You don’t have to run away anymore.”
Finally, she stops struggling and meets my gaze. Hers brim with surprise.
“I know you ran away,” I tell her as I let her hands go. “And you did the right thing. You did what you had to. You’re free now. You’re safe now.”
Her eyes narrow. “How do you know?”
“Because I know everyone in this town. I know you’re not from here. I know from the dirt on your shoes that you walked from the bus stop. I can tell from the state of your clothes that you’ve traveled far and in a hurry. That’s why you were so tired.”
