Page 5 of Running Alone

“Well, I keep a running list on my phone of what my duties are and what needs to be done during open hours and when we close. When I finish a task, I check it off.”

Dr. Mal writes something on his tablet then looks back at me.

“How’s your sleeping? Do you get at least six hours a night?”

I kind of smile but shake my head.

“No, more like four or five. I read a lot when I can’t sleep. And listen to music.”

“Do you have a blue screen for your reader or tablet, Kitty?”

“I don’t know, what is that? And sometimes I read paperbacks too.”

“When’s the last time you had your eyes examined?”

“Never.”

His eyes bulge out at me.

“Let’s get that taken care of too. That can be some of the problem with having headaches. Are you getting them regularly?”

“Actually, I do get them pretty regular, though I thought they were tension ones.”

We talk a bit longer, then he tells me to pick up some melatonin to help me sleep. Also to shut down my electronics at least an hour before bed. Try doing something that relaxes me besides reading, like taking a walk or long bath before I go to bed. He wants to see me in two weeks with all my journaling and results from my eye exam. I thank him and walk out to the main office to schedule my appointment. When I go to leave, Tink and Noodles are walking in. My prez jerks when she sees me.

“Kitty, you sick? Everything okay?”

Usually, I’d smile and say yes but after talking to Wildcat, I realize I need to be more truthful and open.

“No, Tink, not sick, just trying to get some help for my nerves and lack of sleeping. Wildcat wanted me to see Dr. Mal. How about you, everything okay?”

She glances up at Noodles, who is watching her closely, a very serious look on his face.

“Well, I need to get a blood test. Dr. Mal said he could do it here instead of at the ranch. You know the busybodies there watch everything, especially Zoey. She can be a pain in my ass. Hey, don’t tell her I said that, Kitty, please.”

“No worries, Prez, I won’t say a word. See you back at the ranch later. Got to get to the bar and grill for my shift.”

With that I give her a quick hug and Noodles and I bump knuckles. Then I head to my bike so I can get my butt to work.

This has been a day from hell. After seeing Dr. Malcolm, I went to the Wooden Spirits and we were jam-packed and I don’t know why, it’s the middle of the damn week. Then our newest prospect, Addie, showed up and she really tried my patience today—had an opinion for everything. Wanted to know who put the process together of wiping down the tables with a bar rag with cleaner on it. It was wrong and we should use a new towel for each table. When I told her the cleaner was a mixture of Dawn dishwashing soap and bleach, she didn’t care. My God, if we change the towel every time, we’d have to buy hundreds of bar towels. Then she proceeded to tell me I didn’t know how to clean properly. That is when Wildcat pulled Addie to the side and very directly explained to her that I am her boss and she will stop trying to dominate me. The kid looked between Wildcat then me and asked if we were together. Wildcat burst out laughing as I heard the growl from behind me.

Not even having to turn, I knew it was Shadow and Addie just made an enemy, especially, when our enforcer bellowed, “Prospect, get your smart-ass out the back door now. I’ll be out there in a minute and don’t even think of giving me lip ’cause if you do, I might be tempted to cut your wicked tongue out. Got me?”

Addie lost all the color in her face and I saw her hands start to shake. Then I looked up, seeing Wildcat was watching the young prospect quickly walk down the kitchen to the back door, then she stepped out. Once Addie was gone, Wildcat turned on Shadow.

“What the ever-lovin’ shit is your problem, Shadow? That kid just about shit her pants, for Christ’s sake. We don’t continue theabuse to our survivors, we help everyone and raise them up. I had it under control.”

“Yeah, I could see that, Wildcat. Especially when she got up your ass, asking if you and Kitty were a couple. Not that there would be anything wrong if that was true, but the problem I had with her comment is the sass in her voice. She was pushing to see how far she could get and, I know for a fact, Kitty wasn’t going to push back because our little sister here is too nice. As for you, Wildcat, not sure, though since Malcolm got here, you’re getting a little soft.”

That’s when I hear Wildcat let out a snarl.

“Shadow, you want some of this? Come on, mouth, let’s go a few rounds. You might be good with a knife or in your wet room, but I know for certain that your ass would be mine in a hand-to-hand fight.”

As they move toward each other, it hits me suddenly, either I do something to stop them or they are going to rip each other apart in the kitchen. I softly tell them to cool it, but neither even looks at me, so I try again a bit louder. Nothing. So, I take a breath and let it rip.

“Damn it, will you two quit marking your territory, for Christ’s sake? If Tink was here, she’d give you both some shit for the way you’re acting in front of prospects. Now, Shadow, go talk to Addie. Try to be nice, don’t scare her to death. Wildcat, might want to check the floor. I’ll finish up cleaning and get to the dinner dishes next. What? You both better close your mouths before a bug flies in.”

Shadow glares while Wildcat starts laughing. When she shoulders Shadow, our enforcer finally cracks a smile. Then she looks my way and shocks the crap out of me.

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