Page 12 of Butch

She was wary of any doctor after Edmund’s friend visited so much. Were all doctors like him, or were there still good ones out there?

The doctor held a whiteboard. Were they not exhausted from this yet? Edmund would have never done anything like that with her. He wanted to torture her as much as he could. He wanted her to suffer.

How are you feeling?

She shrugged.

It’s important that you really think about it and let me know. You were severely bruised when I briefly looked over you. You had an infection, and we’ve been giving you fluids and an antibiotic. But I need to know your symptoms.

“Why do you care? He never cared. His friend never cared,” she found herself saying.

Butch ran his hand up and down her back as she looked between them both.

Because you are Butch’s woman. You are now part of the Springfield Sinners, and we take care of our own.

Her eyes re-read those sentences over and over again. When had she become Butch’s woman?

Now, can you tell me how you’re really feeling? Is anything aching? Are you feeling feverish?

“I feel exhausted and a little thirsty, but nothing aches. Though my ear hasn’t gotten any better,” she replied.

Your ear? The one you still have a little hearing in? What’s different about it?

She tried to think about how it was different. “When I first woke up, when you guys were talking, I could only hear every few words or none at all. Normally, I can make out a little more so that I don’t get into as much trouble, but I’ve been having difficulties.”

Not that it helped much when she had a little bit more hearing. Edmund knew how to talk and what pitch to use so she wouldn’t be able to understand the majority of what he was saying. He had a twisted mind in wanting her to always be in trouble so he could lay a hand on her.

Would you allow one of my friends, another doctor, to come by and check your ears to see what we can do?

Rae opened and closed her mouth several times. She wasn’t particularly comfortable with someone else looking her over. What if he knew Edmund and told him where she was? Doctors knew a lot of other healthcare professionals, and she didn’t want to get anyone hurt when it came to her. Especially not Butch. She wanted nothing to harm him.

We don’t know what happened to you before, but whenever we see someone in need of help, we do as much as we can. Butch wrote down on his whiteboard.

“Are you sure?” she asked as she looked over at Butch.

He nodded.

“I don’t want it to cost any money, and I don’t want him to tell me how bad it is when I can’t do anything. So, I think it would be better if he just didn’t come,” she managed to get out.

Do you want a hearing aid or a cochlear implant? Butch asked.

“I can’t have them, so it doesn’t matter what I want,” she replied.

Sure, Rae had always thought about getting something so she would be able to hear better, but she didn’t let herself dream about it too much. She didn’t have that kind of money, and before she ran away, she was stuck with a person who would never let her have it.

If you want something, I’ll pay for it. Butch wrote

“It costs too much money,” she mumbled. “He would never allow me to have one.”

He isn’t here any longer, so you don’t need to think about what he wants. Think about what you want. Money isn’t a problem. If you want one, I’ll pay for it. I’ve been saving up for years. I will gladly spend it on whatever you need.

“But what if he finds me and sees it?” she whispered.

Butch cupped her face and gently kissed her forehead before writing on the whiteboard again.

We are going to find him and make sure that he will never lay eyes on you again. If he sees you and you have a hearing aid or a cochlear implant, he won’t be able to do anything because I will be there with you. The Springfield Sinners will keep you safe

That was what she was worried about. Other people stepping in and getting hurt, people she didn’t know.