Page 362 of My Sweet Dollie, You Have to Love Me
“I feel fine.”
Dollie and I move in harmony, our bodies expressing our discomfort on these blue plastic chairs that creak under our weight.
“What time is your appointment?”
“Twelve thirty.”
The round clock on the wall shows that Dollie’s doctor is running behind by ten minutes.
The big hand ticking around doesn’t seem to bother anyone but Dollie, whose fingers stretch out in time with each second.
I pull her in a little closer, placing another kiss in her hair.
The eyes of two old ladies burn into me as I place my hand on Dollie’s leg, just above the knee. Her hand closes around mine and lifts, and for a split second, it feels like she’s removing my touch, and it amplifies every fear I have.
I don’t hear those old ladies whispering to each other. All I hear is my own brain.
If you don’t keep touching her, that lump will be cancer.
Fuck off, brain.
Before I can finish that thought, Dollie raises my hand to her mouth, and her soft lips press to me without leaving any kisses.
“I’m a little nervous still,” she whispers against my skin.
“Me, too. You’ll be okay, though, you have to be.”
She nods, but the expression weighs down her features.
“Yeah,” one old lady answers something the other said. “They’re definitely those siblings. The boy is the one who killed their parents because they caught them sleeping together, but I bet she knew his plans.”
She tucks her blue-rinsed perm behind her ears, revealing fake pearl earrings. Her friend’s mouth moves, and I focus on the lines around her coral lipstick.
“Maybe. They are so close, it’s hard to think of a different alternative.”
“How do you deal with this daily?” Dollie wonders aloud. “People whispering, all the cruel rumors and taunts.”
My hand moves over her arm, up and down. Scars snag on the material of her dress.
“It’s not easy being hated by everyone, but actions have consequences.”
“Mine.”
“No. Mine.” I swallow. “It doesn’t matter what this town thinks of me anyway.”
“No, it doesn’t. And I love you enough to make up for everyone else.” Small fingers trace my scars, helping me feel all her love. All her acceptance. My heart races with it.
“I know. I know how you feel. We’re still whole together.” My throat bobs as I swallow, relieving the dryness. “Always.” I manage one more word. I attempt more, with the encouragement of her thumb on my lips and not a care in the world.
But before I can add anything to this conversation, the opposite door creaks open, revealing a woman in scrubs.
“Dollancie La’Darragh.”
Dollie sits forward, her hand in mine. “Can he come in, too?”
“We don’t allow relatives in the room, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” I take her hand to my mouth and place a kiss there. “I’ll be right here. Take Duggan.”
