Page 94 of Dirty Filthy Boy
"Ty, you're being unreasonable."
"She's coming home with me?"
"Don't I get any say in this?"
"No," Ty yells.
Into this insanity, Mr. Bartlett walks in. He glances back and forth between Ty and me. "What's going on?" His trademark cigar's missing, but then they don't allow smoking in hospitals. Still his mouth twitches around the non existent stogy.
"Hi, Mr. Bartlett."
He points to my sling. "So what's the verdict? A broken bone?" His gruff bark is belied by the light of concern in his eyes.
"Yeah. My collarbone."
"Guess you won't be able to type or drive for a while."
"I can Uber it to work and dictate my reports."
His mouth twists in a crooked smile. "Good girl. I knew you'd make a great reporter."
I smile. "Thanks. I emailed you the article."
"Read it. Great stuff."
"So," the nurse interrupts. "Have you decided who's taking Ms. Perkins home? I need to provide some instructions."
Marigold steps forward. "I am."
Ty maintains his silence. Probably because he knows he'll place my job in jeopardy if he objects.
"And I'll run by your apartment and pick up Rosco," Oliver says.
I hand him the keys. "It'll be best if he stays at the doggie spa while I heal. They know him there."
"Very well," Oliver says. "Where is it?"
After I provide him with the information, I'm given the discharge papers while Marigold is instructed about my care and meds. Done with all the details, we make our way out of the ER with me in a wheelchair.
Unable to say anything without revealing our relationship, Oliver goes out to fetch his car, leaving me with Mr. Bartlett and Marigold.
"Can you give us a moment, Ms. . . ."
"Thompson. I'm MacKenna's friend."
"Nice to meet you, Ms. Thompson."
Mar steps back into the ER waiting room, and the door to the waiting area vestibule closes behind her. With the clear glass doors, she can see us, but not hear our conversation.
"MacKenna?"
"Yes, Mr. Bartlett."
"I don't want to see you back in the office for a couple of days."
"Okay." Is that all he wanted to talk to me about? He could have said that in front of Marigold.
"But when you do, we need to talk. I didn't miss the connection between you and Ty Mathews. Before I print the article, I need to know exactly what that's about."
I gulp. Hard. "Yes, sir."
Mr. Bartlett does need to know about my relationship with Ty. And once he learns the truth, I'll probably be out of a job.
