Page 4 of Whiskey

“The burger and fries sound good. It’s been a while since I’ve had one. Ambrose, what do you want Whiskey’s cousin to make you?” Onessa reached for her son’s hand, pulling him down into the recliner with her. He dropped his head on her shoulder.

“The hamburger sounds yummy. What else does he do?”

Whiskey grinned, “So many yummy things. How about I ask him to do some hamburgers and French fries. I’ll ask him to do a couple other of his favorites because I’m a little hungry and Hennessy can always eat. You can try some different things and what you don’t want someone else will eat.”

Ambrose nodded, wrapping his arms around Onessa’s belly.

“Knock, knock,” Stella’s words accompanied her walking through the door. “I heard someone might need checked out because their car fought a deer and lost.”

Ambrose smiled a little at her words. Stella carried a small bag, which she put on the couch. She opened it up and looked at Onessa.

“So, my name is Stella and I’ve been a traveling nurse practitioner for years. I now have a clinic in Bluff Creek. It’s about an hour and a half away unless one of my daughters is driving. Then sometimes it’s only an hour.” Stella turned to Ambrose and crouched down. “Now, I’d like to check a couple things, then I’ll need to check your mom. I want to look in your eyes, listen to your heart, a couple other things and ask you a couple questions.”

Ambrose nodded. Stella looked in both his eyes with lights then held her hand at his pulse.

“So, did you stay awake the whole time during the crash?”

Ambrose nodded while Stella listened to his heart. “Okay, two last things. Does anything hurt?”

He shook his head no.

“Okay, can I see if you have bruising from where the seatbelt pulled tight?”

“Go on,” Onessa urged.

Ambrose stood up and pulled his shirt up. Whiskey didn’t see any bruising. He assumed that was what Stella was looking for.

“Okay, young man, I deem you good after your tussle with the deer. I’m going to need to examine your mom. How about you and Whiskey go out? Onessa, if you’re good with it. I’ll have Tasha, my daughter, who is also a nurse, join us.”

Onessa nodded and patted Ambrose’s shoulder. “I’ll be fine. Why don’t you have Whiskey show you where the stuff is in the big kitchen just in case we need something after everyone is asleep?”

Ambrose reluctantly walked out with him. Tasha passed by and went into the room. Why did he feel like he should still be in there? He didn’t know if she was running from a husband or a boyfriend?

Beth, Rose, Ellie, and Hennessy were sitting on the couches in the common room.

“Yeah, we’re glad you’re out here. Crewe sent up some cookies until your food was done, but he said we couldn’t have one until you did.” Beth motioned Ambrose over, holding up the plate of cookies. “Please eat one because Crewe thinks he makes better chocolate chip cookies than I do. I need to taste his so I can prove him wrong.”

Whiskey appreciated Beth manufacturing a reason to need Ambrose’s help. Ambrose tugged Whiskey’s hand. “Is it okay?”

“You can eat anything you want here. I know cookies are usually dessert, but I think your mom will be okay this time.”

Ambrose selected a cookie and took a bite, chewing slowly. He was so polite while he ate. Nothing like Whiskey and his siblings would have been at that age. They had been almost like feral dogs falling on food.

“It’s very tasty, but I’ve never had yours, so I don’t know whose is better. I’m sure they are both good.”

For an eight-year-old, Ambrose’s words were a little too precise, as if he was choosing his words to not offend anyone.

“Yo, buddy, have a seat.”

Once again, Ambrose looked to him to see if it was okay. Whiskey couldn’t believe this skittish kid already trusted him, but he was going to accept it and make sure no one hurt Ambrose on his watch.

“Ambrose, I trust everyone who is in this room. They’re all like family. We’ll sit down in just a moment. I promised to show Ambrose the kitchen, so he’ll be able to find things if they need something during the night.”

Beth jumped up. “Oh, I get to show him the dumbwaiter.”

Hennessy jumped up too. “Nope. Why do you get to show him the coolest thing about our living space? You don’t live here.”

Beth rolled her eyes, which had Ambrose’s lip quirking up. “Okay, I guess I’ll just go along for the explanation,” Beth sighed and slumped her shoulders, sticking her tongue out at Hennessy’s back until Ambrose smiled.

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