Page 6 of Outside the Veil
“Let the doctors run some tests. To see if you’re sick.”
“I need a doctor to tell me?” Finn grumbled around a mouthful of enchilada. “Poisoned air. Poisoned water. Of course I’m sick.”
“Eat your dinner, Diego.” Tia Carmen handed a plate over. “Finn will go with you to the clinic, won’t you,caro? To make Diego happy?”
A white-toothed grin replaced the scowl. “Did I say no? For my hero, I will go to whatever this place is.”
Tia Carmen laughed and Diego concentrated on his food to hide his embarrassment. Odd. He was hungry after all.
Finding clothes for Finn proved easy. Mitch had left enough cast-offs in the front closet from which to choose, three bags Diego hadn’t had the chance to take to the mission yet. Though Finn was far lankier and at least two inches taller than Mitch, a pair of old track pants and a stretched-out sweatshirt fit well enough. There was even an ankle-length, black leather coat Mitch had declared ‘too Goth’ a week after purchasing it.
Shoes, however, posed a problem.
Finn’s feet couldn’t be shoved into Mitch’s old sneakers. He tried to curl his long, elegant toes under to make it work, but gave up the effort when he realized how painful that would be. They finally had to settle for a pair of flip-flops, not quite the right size, but at least only the ends of his toes hung off the front.
“We’ll find you something better today,” Diego reassured him. “The Goodwill on Fulton always has shoes. Are you up for a walk? It’s about four blocks to the clinic and I’ll probably be making some stops along the way.”
“Blocks?” Finn tilted his head, again looking like a puzzled bird.
“Never mind.” Diego shrugged into his jacket. “It’ll take us about twenty, thirty minutes to get there. You feel well enough? Or should I call a cab and forget the stops?”
Finn pulled in a slow breath, as if assessing his lung capacity. “It’s better today. I believe I’ll manage.”
“You’ll tell me if you feel tired or woozy?”
“My word of honor.” Finn tapped a finger against his heart, an odd smile twitching at his lips.
Tia Carmen poked her head out as they clattered down the stairs. “Diego? Could I contribute today?”
He stopped to kiss her cheek. “If you want to. Just a couple dollars, though. I’m doing all right today.”
She handed him a five and he knew better than to argue. “Don’t keep him out too long in this cold,” she admonished, though it wasn’t clear whether she meant Diego or Finn.
Outside, Finn’s head twisted this way and that as taxis and bicycle messengers whizzed by. He appeared more interested than frightened, though he did edge closer to Diego when a bus roared past.
“Best to watch where you’re walking.” Diego grabbed his sleeve to steer him clear of a fire hydrant.
Finn nodded, though his head kept swiveling, his nostrils flared. A skateboarder zipping by, the rumble of the subway under a grate, a woman laughing as she spoke on her cell, the chestnut vendor across the street—every sight and sound had Finn’s attention whipping in a thousand directions.
“Here’s George,” Diego offered, hoping to provide some momentary focus. He indicated the pretzel cart at the corner. “He’s our first stop.”
“Morning, Hemingway!” George waved from under his umbrella. “How many today?”
“Ten, I think.” Diego dug in his pockets to gather enough change. “Finn might want one.”
“That your new friend’s name?”
“Yes. George, this is Finn. Finn, George Stanakopoulis.”
“Honored,” Finn said, and offered a theatrical bow.
George laughed. “Not from around here, is he?”
“No.” Diego nudged Finn. “We don’t, ah, greet people that way. Usually.”
“Oh, I don’t mind,” George said. “Neighborhood could use a little class.” He bagged up the pretzels and handed one to Finn.
To Diego’s enormous relief, the pretzel absorbed all of Finn’s attention as they walked. He turned it this way and that, sniffed it a few times and licked it.
