Page 33 of Callahan

“I was asking because some people say the lidocaine shot is worse than the sutures.”

“I’m not excited about the idea of a needle being jammed into my head, but I’m even less excited about a staple gun shooting into my scalp, so let’s go with the shot first.”

He ripped open an alcohol wipe with a smirk.

“Well, lucky for you, I’m not going tojama needle anywhere.”

“Sorry, Doc. Just a figure of speech. I didn’t mean any offense.”

He unfolded the wipe. “None taken” He got his revenge anyway. “This is going to sting a little…”

****

Lainey

My phone rang as I was nursing Conor after the breakfast rush.

Brian’s name flashed on the screen, and I quickly answered the call and put it on speaker.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Lainey. It’s Brian.”

“I know, silly. You’re in my phone book. Your name shows up when you call me.”

“Right. Anyway, I’m calling to give you an update. Adam needed six staples, and he’s waiting to get a CT scan to make sure he doesn’t have a concussion or anything.”

“How’s his nose? Is it broken?”

“Nope, but the doctor said he’s going to be bruised tomorrow.”

“That comes with the territory of a broken nose, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah. There won’t be any disguising he was in a fight.”

“Is he going to be okay to travel today?”

Please say no.

“The doctor is discouraging it, but I think it will depend on what the CT scan says.”

Was I a terrible person for wanting him to have a concussion so he’d have to stay in town a little longer?

“Well, if he needs a place to stay tonight—”

Brian cut me off with a snarl. “He can sleep in my guest room.”

“Relax. I simply wanted to make sure he had somewhere to go and didn’t want to assume you’d volunteer your place.”

“I’m volunteering.”

“Good. Although, I did appreciate his help with the baby last night. You’re right; I need to try to get Conor to use a bottle, too.”

I could hear the humor in his voice. “I should jot this date down. I’ve already been told twice that I was right today, and it’s only eleven o’clock.”

“Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Too late.”

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