Page 98 of Primal God

I give him the rundown of tripping and falling.

Before I can finish, Dimitri says, “She needs x-rays ordered. If it’s broken, make sure she gets put on my schedule.”

Dr. Rivers says, “Well, now, you know that’s not how this works, Santos, especially since you know the girl.”

The look on Dimitri’s face is terrifying and Dr. Rivers clears his throat.

“Right. She’s not family, so I guess it’s fine. I’ll get right on that.” He turns to me. “Lili, follow me this way.”

I glance at Dimitri, but he’s still glaring daggers at the back of Dr. Rivers’ head. There’s a part of me that wishes he’d come with me, but I don’t ask, and he doesn’t offer.

I’m led to an exam room where x-rays are taken of my wrist. I try not to be embarrassed that I’m wearing my night shirt and shorts. Guess I should have thought about that before leaving the house. At least I have a bra on. My boobs are way too big to be out and about without being contained.

Dr. Rivers doesn’t try to make chitchat as he works, which I appreciate.

“I’ll be back when the results are ready.” He gives me a tight smile. “I have a feeling they’ll be rushed.”

I snort before I can stop myself. “Is he always like that?”

This makes Dr. Rivers crack another smile. “Not at all. You must be very important to him.”

“What makes you say that?”

“The last time I saw him act like this was when Serafina was having little Isadora.”

He leaves me to my thoughts, which are honestly all over the place. Does Dimitri care for me? It’s almost too good to be true, especially considering how he’s been acting the past few days. But that doesn’t stop me from hoping.

A nurse comes in to draw some blood and waits for me to give her a urine sample. It makes time feel like it’s not dragging as I wait for the x-ray results.

Thirty minutes later, Dr. Rivers returns with my results.

“Sadly, it’s broken. We’re going to wheel you up to the surgical floor so Dr. Santos can fix your wrist.”

“Is surgery really necessary? Can’t you just put it in a cast or something?”

“It is, I’m afraid.” He pats my good hand. “It’ll be over before you know it and, as I’m sure you know, Dr. Santos is the best.”

“Isn’t he like the best surgeon for athletes, though?”

That’s what João always used to say. That his dad was the guy athletes went to when they needed to be fixed.

Dr. Rivers says, “He is.”

A patient transporter arrives with a wheelchair, and I’m helped from the bed to the chair. We weave our way through different hallways until we reach an elevator. A moment later, we reach the surgical floor and the doors open. I’m taken to a room in the pre-op area.

A nurse is waiting, a smile on her face.

“Hi. I’m Marilynn. I’m your nurse here today. Can you tell me your name, age, and date of birth?”

I answer her questions, and she smiles as she taps on a tablet.

“Perfect, thank you. Now, Lili, I see you’re here today for a distal radius ORIF of your right wrist.”

“I’m not really sure what I’m having done.” I let out a small laugh. “I came to the ER to have my wrist looked at and the next thing I know, I’m being wheeled up here.”

She gives me a kind smile. “I’m sure that is overwhelming. A distal radius ORIF means there’s a bone or two broken in your wrist that needs to be fixed surgically. I see here that Dr. Santos is the one preforming your surgery, and he is one of the best doctors in Texas. You are in expert hands, Lili.”

I nod, knowing she’s right.

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