Page 39 of Detective Daddy Next Door

"Sheshouldbereadyto go home next week. Since she had some rupture, we’d like to keep her on antibiotics for a week."

I nod at the doctor as I hold onto Ellie's hand on the bed.

He taps his hand lightly on her leg. "You're such a strong girl. You should be proud of yourself.”

Ellie smiles at him. "When can I go home?"

"Soon. Very soon," he answers. "We just want to make sure you are absolutely ready to go."

"I'm ready," Ellie answers. "I miss my bed."

"And I'm sure your bed misses you, too. But isn't the bed here comfortable? It's a medical bed. Made specially for comfort.”

Ellie nods. "It's comfortable, but not like mine."

The doctor laughs, then turns to me. "We'll remove the stitches in fourteen days."

"Thank you, doctor."

He nods and goes to open the door to leave. But just as he opens it, someone comes in. Bria. She's the last person I was expecting. She greets the doctor and stands at the door. She shuts it behind her after a few seconds but doesn’t move.

"Bria! I thought you'd never come. I've missed you so much. Dad said you traveled."

Bria stutters. "I…yes…I did." She moves toward the bed, then sits on the edge and hugs Ellie. "How are you?"

Ellie scrunches up her face. "They won't let me eat normal food."

Bria grins. "That's because they want you to heal properly."

"Yes, that's what the doctor said. And I always feel like puking when I eat."

"And are you healing? Are you being a strong girl?”

"I'm trying."

She laughs at Ellie, then faces me. "Hi."

"Hi," I say coldly without meaning to. I just don’t have much energy for emotion left inside me.

It's funny how she finally shows up, as if I should be grateful she's gracing me with her presence. I called her and called her. I sent multiple texts with no reply. I knocked on her door but got no answer.

"I saw Garcelle on my way in from work and she told me what happened."

I nod.

"Look…" she starts, but stops. "Can we talk?"

I sigh. She looks at Ellie and I understand she means she wants to talk with me in private. I don't want to leave Ellie alone, but I know this conversation is long overdue.

"Will you be okay on your own for a minute, Ellie? I need to talk to Bria outside."

She nods. "Yes, Daddy. Look, they just started Doc McStuffins." Which happens to be one of her favorite cartoons.

I smile and pick the remote up to turn up the volume a little. "I'll be back in a few minutes, okay?"

Bria gets off the bed and says to Ellie, "I'll come to see you again before I go."

"But you just got here."

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