Page 3 of Just For Her

“Are you okay?” Tove held three fingers before the girl. “How many am I holding up?”

“Um… three?”

Bitter relief flooded Tove’s heart. “What’s your name, hon?”

“Kay…” The girl had to clear her throat. “Kayla.”

“I should take her to the hospital, right?” Thomas hissed behind his cousin. “I mean, I almost called 911, but I thought she was fine!”

Tove turned on him. “So why did you bring herhere?”

“Because you were only two blocks away!”

“Where did this incident occur, exactly?”

“Jeez, you sound like the police.”

“If all goes well,” Tove lowered her voice, “I’ll keep youawayfrom the police.”

Thomas slowly nodded. “Right at the end of the street. By that brewery.”

“Brickhouse?”

“I swear I wasn’t going there. I was passing through on my way to my divorce lawyer’s.”

Kayla’s head perked up at that.

“Hang on.” Tove put her hand in her cousin’s face as she turned her attention to Kayla again. “Are you in pain anywhere, hon?”

She shook her head. “Just a little shocked.”

“Right. Shock. That could be covering up something.” With another sigh, Tove had to think fast. “Does Martin still work at St. Charles? When does he get off work?”

“No idea. You know how he’s been since the pandemic. Washed his hands of everything because it was ‘cramping his style.’”

“Guess you should take her to Cousin Oskar’s, then.”

“Oskar? Dude lost his license…”

“He’ll tell you if she needs a closer look at. Otherwise, keep her away from the hospital. Donotget the police involved. You can’t afford another fuckup, Thomas.”

“I promise on my mother’s future grave that I was not inebriated.”

“I’m not saying you were, but as time goes by, there will be no proof that you weren’t.”

“I’ve got your testimony, Tove.”

“Like hell I’m coming to bat for youagain.” In any other Central Oregonian family, Thomas would have spent time in prison for his offenses before he got clean. It was the power of the Fredriksson name – specifically, the descendants of Gustav Fredriksson – that kept him out of the worst of problems. Community service, fines, and every AA program available in the area had not endeared the baby of their generation to their relatives, though.Yet he still has way more money than I’ll ever see in my life.Not counting the tax numbers flashing before Tove’s eyes every spring.

Kayla groaned in her chair. “Actually, I’m sore on my shoulder.” She winced when she leaned. Tove jerked forward, ready to catch her. “I think it’s because my right hand caught most of my fall.” She pointed to her right shoulder.

“Great,” Thomas muttered. “I’m already late for my appointment with Harold.”

Tove was caught between checking on Kayla and scolding her cousin for putting his stupid appointment over the well-being of this girl.I think she’s young…Everyone without wrinkles or gray hair was younger than Tove, who hid her cheap dye jobs in a bun she always wore close to her scalp.

“Call Harold and tell him you’re running behind. Then take this girl to Oskar’s before things possibly get worse.”

“Can’t you do it?”

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