Page 35 of Physical Therapy

“And yet you kicked her out when she did.”

“Not at the same time, for God’s sake.” Fuck it. I pull my hip flask out.

Clara’s face pinches into disbelief. “Are you drinking at work?”

I shrug. “It makes the day more interesting.”

She draws a deep breath while I draw a decent mouthful.

“Come on, monkeys.” Clara collects up the coloring materials, much to the twins’ disgust. “Let’s get lunch.”

“Uncle Boe, too?” My nephew asks.

Clara shakes her head before pointedly looking at my scotch. “Nope. Uncle Boe has his own lunch.”

“I’m serious, sis.” I stand as she prepares to leave. “I need help figuring out how to do this.”

She gives me a sad smile, guiding the kids out into the open part of our offices. “I don’t think you can do both.”

“So that’s it,” I snap. “I get punished when I want to date a woman because of my criminal history?”

Clara gives a quick glance out the door to check on the kids before answering. “Yes, Boe. That’s what happens when you break the law when you assault people. You get punished.”

“Fucking bullshit,” I mutter, turning away.

“No,” Clara argues. “It’s called consequences. Deal with it.”

***

I deal with it… the only way I know how.

“Fuck rules.”

The old lady beside me in the waiting room frowns as she throws a cautionary glance my way.

“What?” I glare at the snobby bitch. “Something you want to say?”

The pretty blonde thing behind the reception desk lifts her head. And then her phone. Barely thirty seconds pass before Edith herself stands before me.

“You don’t have an appointment, Mr. Johanssen.”

“So?”

I swear to God if that nosey cow to my left doesn’t look away in the next—

“So, I don’t have time allotted for you.”

I turn to grandma, leaning across the seat between us. “Excuse me, love. But why are you here?”

“Boe,” Edith warns.

I lift a hand to her face without looking away from the old duck. “What’s your issue?”

She glances between Edith and me, tongue peeking out to wet her withered peach-painted lips.

“You don’t have to answer, Mrs. Cruse.”

“Yes, she does.” I shoot Edith a glare. I mean, what the fuck? I asked the woman a question.

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