“She can’t swallow tablets, perhaps you have something that could dissolve in water so she can drink it?”

This time his reluctance is more obvious and he starts to shake his head, but I speak before he can say anything to piss me off, like tell me no. “How is your granddaughter Amelia? Is she still hoping to attend GAA next year?”

Heat fills his cheeks, but he nods. “Yes, she’s hoping to get a partial scholarship.”

“A partial scholarship? Wouldn’t she be better applying for the Hayes Millard award, that’s a full scholarship for all four years. Do you remember my friend Clay Janson? His mom is the one in charge of picking the recipient, I’m sure I could ask her to have a second look at Amelia’s application, ensure she’s aware of how splendid a choice she’d be for GAA.”

This is complete coercion. I know it and so does he, but we both know that a full scholarship is worth tens of thousands of dollars, and that kind of motivation is enough to have him walk into the bathroom, fill a glass with water and add a sachet of white powder that instantly dissolves.

With a smile I take the glass from him and cross the room to Starling, sitting down beside her and handing her the glass. “Here you go, little bird. The doctor says you’re fine, but that you need a good night’s sleep. Drink this and then lie down and take a nap until your mom gets here.”

Starling looks dubiously from me to the doctor. When he smiles and nods at her, she lifts the glass to her lips and takes a deep pull. She goes to put the glass down on the nightstand, but I push it back into her hand. “You should drink that, you look a little flushed. Are you hungry? I can go and get you something to eat.”

She shakes her head. “I’m fine, I’ll have something to eat when I get home.”

I don’t agree or disagree, instead I nod my head toward the glass in her hand and watch as she brings it to her lips and drinks the rest of it. Smiling, I take the glass from her and place it on the nightstand beside me, then I lift my hand and slowly and carefully smooth my fingers over her hair. “Why don’t you lie down and close your eyes. Dr. Harris will stay with you while I go and keep a look out for your mom.”

Warily she nods, shuffling down the bed a little and exhaling into the cushions as I stand up and move away. The farther away from her I get, the more she relaxes. I fucking hate it, but I don’t want to risk her passing out again if she gets too riled up.

“Could you stay with her for a little while? I want to get her a sandwich in case she gets hungry.”

Dr. Harris nods, then busies himself packing up his supplies into his bag as I step to the door and move out of the room.