Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Idon’t like doctors. It’s not just about not being able to afford them.
It’s the fact that they usually take one look at me and know my entire life story.
I don’t like the pity on their faces, or their offers to help when we both know the only person who can help me is me.
The only person I can rely on is me. The only person I can trust?
Well, that’s usually me too. But I did just let myself get into a stranger’s car and am now standing in a house—a very nice house—apparently owned by some doctor.
A doctor who doesn’t charge his patients but has a brownstone on the Upper East Side? Yeah, I don’t buy it.
“You know, I really am fine. It’s just a scratch. I’m sorry I wasted your time. I’ll just—”
“Sit your pretty little ass down and let the doc treat you is what you’ll do,” Neo grunts.
I swallow, and my hands begin to shake. I know better than to smart-mouth a man.
This isn’t my first rodeo. As though I’m on autopilot, I walk over to the chair and sit down.
I disassociate, because that’s the only way I can get through this.
It’s the only way I won’t open my mouth and say something that will result in me being back-handed across the face.
“Caitlyn, I’m Dr. Ross. Can you tell me about what happened?” the old man asks.
I shake my head. “I was mugged. They came up from behind me. There were two men. One wrapped their arms around me. The other stopped in front of me. I was stupid. I struggled and tried to fight back. It just made them angry. The guy in front punched me in the face. Then the other one pushed me to the ground. I don’t know…
It happened fast. They just wanted my bag.
It was my fault. I shouldn’t have fought back,” I explain.
“It was not your fucking fault. Those assholes laid hands on you, Caitlyn, and you were right to struggle,” Neo says.
I look up at him and shake my head. “Struggling just makes it worse,” I whisper.
The doctor’s hand reaches for my face, and I automatically withdraw from his touch.
“I’m sorry. Can I touch you? To look at the injury?” he asks.
I close my eyes and nod my head. It’s easier if I don’t see it coming. The doctor’s fingers push at my face a little. It hurts but I stay still.
“Nothing appears to be broken. The bruising will get worse before it gets better.”
When his hand pulls back, I open my eyes. “I know,” I tell him. I’m no stranger to bruising. As much as my face hurts right now, it’s far from the worst I’ve felt.
“I’m going to clean these scratches on your arms,” the doctor says. “Is it okay if I touch you to do that?”
I look down at my arms. My blouse is torn from where I hit the pavement. “Okay,” I tell him.
“Can you remove your top?”
“Absolutely fucking not,” Neo growls before I can answer.
“I… ah…” I don’t know what to say. I don’t know why this man, who claims he wants to help me by giving me a ride home, is so angry.
“It’s okay. I’m going to have to cut the sleeves,” the doctor replies.
I nod. It’s not like the blouse is salvageable anyway.
It takes about twenty minutes for him to finish up.
“I’m guessing you know how to take care of these wounds, Caitlyn,” he says. “Keep them clean and they should heal nicely.”
I nod again. “Thank you.”
“Neo, make sure she gets plenty of rest and ices her face.”
“I’ll see to it. Thanks, Doc.” Neo shakes the older man’s hand and then he’s right by my side. Holding my hand again.
Why is he doing that? I don’t hate it, but I know I should. This is not a safe person. I shouldn’t like this. Or him.
“Ready?” Neo asks. His voice is much softer than it’s been.
“Mhmm.” I force a smile onto my face and try to appear as calm as I can be.
Once we’re in the car, Neo starts the engine. “Where were you when you got mugged?” he asks.
“On the street?” I tell him.
“What street?”
“Um, the same street the police station was on. One block down.”
“What were you doing there? That’s a long way from home.”
“I had a job interview. Which I’m guessing I’m not getting, seeing as I didn’t show up,” I groan. I really need to find a second job soon.
It takes another thirty minutes before Neo is pulling onto my street. “This is where you live?” He stares up at the building, a look of horror on his face.
“Ah, yeah, it’s not much, I know. But it’s okay.” That’s a lie. It’s a total shithole but it’s all I can afford on the one waitressing job I’ve managed to get.
“I’m coming up,” Neo says.
“You don’t have to do that,” I insist. “Thank you for driving me home.”
“Yeah, I do. Those assholes have your ID. They know where you live, Caitlyn,” he says.
No, they know where I used to live. No one knows I moved here. And I’d prefer to keep it that way.
“I’m just going to check the place out, make sure no one is there and that your doors lock properly. That’s all.” He jumps out of the car.
That’s all. Just make sure my apartment is safe? Who does that?