k is sitting on the edge of the exam table. It's a metal structure designed to hold a chunky gol

corner. "Move over there b

ir. I lay out my supplies on the table where he just

ttles into the seat. "Or stupid. Mo

MSing. Or maybe some asshole just barged into my workplace

it is,

very calm for a man with a bullet wound. Is

jaw and his dark stubble. It's enough to tell that he

vers down my spine. But just like

ust do your job, go home, a

f to myself. I start to reach

touched another person. Espec

uge. Either they trust you or they don't. If they t

r-cut. They're liars.

of this man, pro

." The man grabs my hand in his and steers my

but I will. I'm the doctor, so why

d you weren't a do

ffice, demanding I help him at gun

t that dissects every interaction with the opposite sex,

h this man; I want an ou

Time to focus all of my attention on mending up this man, whoever

the wound in search of bullet fragments or bone pieces. I've done it before for more than a few an

d squirms a little bit under my nee

me the whole time with unblinking eyes. When I'm done, I wipe

arm, Doc?" he a

tch. You'll be back to work in no time, waving guns in inno

rm and try to beat back the part of me t

think. Way too long. Eighteen mo

But there's nothing quite like the real thing breat

you?" the man teases,

in a bandage? A lifetim

in himself. His fingers are huge, but there's a gracefulness in t

iting what I can remember

zed the whole speech in sixth grade and it's neve

I can't get past "...we are engaged in a great civ

tters of his shirt and then rips it free in one casual tug. "I

me that someone else must have shot him. I glance towards the door in fright

ing chased?

g. "Might still be, technically sp

hey could have followed you!" I

lbanians, I have to assume this is

of them, at least. Between that hood, the awkwardly angled lamp overhead, and my fervent desire

w about them, an

abilizing breath. "Nothing more than anyone else, I mean. The news says

ing would be worse

a tension I didn't re

lbanian. On a day lik

ours?" I ask as c

sually try to

shake my head.

I gues

jump back like he's a live wire. I think I see h

n long enough.

morning," I say, waving my hand

move. "Yo

an invitation. If you don't mind, I'd like

ve towards the door I give him.