Page 12 of Mercy
We walk into Ivy’s room, and she lights up like a damn Christmas tree. “Dr. L!”
I smile at her, “Hi, sweetheart.”
“I thought you weren’t coming in for a few days.”
“Well, I had to pick up the tablets so we can install the game I was telling you about. And I couldn’t come here and not see my best girl.”
She giggles, “It’s finally ready?”
“It’s finally ready. I want you to meet someone. This is Mercy. She’s going to be working here. Mercy, this is Ivy.”
A smile crosses her sweet little face, “It’s nice to meet you. Are you a doctor too?”
“It’s nice to meet you too, Ivy. I’m not a doctor. I’m a social worker.”
“A social worker?” Ivy asks.
“Like Abby, she’ll talk about the different feelings you might have while going through this.”
“Yeah, Abby talks about ‘big’ feelings,” she giggles. “Are you Dr. L’s…girlfriend?” she asks in a sing-song voice.
“No,” I said quickly. “How are you feeling today, Ivy?”
“I’m okay. I’ll probably start getting sick soon, though.”
I grab her chart and look it over; everything seems fine now. “Where’s your mom today?”
Ivy sighs as she looks away, “Work. She can’t afford to be off work this time. Mommy said we went broke last time.”
I rub the stubble on my jaw as I wonder if she ever talked to billing.
“Dr. Lexington, can I talk to you outside for a minute?”
I wink at Ivy, “I’ll be right back, okay?”
She giggles, “Go talk to yourgirlfriend.”
Shaking my head at her, I walk out to the hall. “What is it, Mercy?”
“Can you go by yourself to get the games installed? I was thinking I could stay here with Ivy; I hate to see her alone. Maybe you could swing back by to pick me up?”
“Mercy, you don’t have to work for free.”
She smiles a radiant smile that makes me weak. “I really want to. It’s not work, I’m just hanging out.”
“Are you going to be okay in that room?”
“I’m okay now, I promise. It was just a shock.”
“That’s fine. I have to bring the tablets back, anyway. I can pick you up then.”
I add, “You should know, she really likes princesses, almost to the point of obsession.”
She laughs and fuck me, the way her eyes light up, “Completely normal.”
“Really? Because I remember someone making fun of my princess clothes.”
I grin as she smirks at me.
