#huckleberry

The ride into work the next morning was quiet. Dennis was grateful that Robby didn’t push him to talk. He let Dennis think. Everything he had learned as a doctor, the ethics that he had built from the ground up in med school, had been wiped out. He slipped so effortlessly into the role James had given him. It was as if he had never left the life. He didn’t like it. It wasn’t who he had become. 

Dennis walked into the Pitt a few steps behind Robby. He ignored the curious looks from Princess and Perlah. He knew what his face looked like. He already planned what he was going to say when anyone asked him. He slipped down the stairs and ate it when he landed. It would explain the flank pain and the swollen mouth. 

When he stepped into the locker room, Dana tsked, “That looks painful, kid.” 

“It is,” Dennis said. There was no point in lying to her.

“Do I want to ask what happened?” She asked. 

“Ate it when I slipped down some stairs yesterday,” Dennis answered. “I had to get someone to check out my mouth. I thought I bit through my lip or needed stitches.” 

“Who’d you have do that for you?” Dana asked with a raised brow. Clearly, she did not believe that it was an accident. 

“Dr. Robby,” Dennis answered. 

“Good,” She nodded. “I’ll try to keep the wolves off your trail. No guarantees, though.” 

“I appreciate any help.” Dennis attempted to smile, but winced. 

“Yeah, I’d keep Doc Happy to a minimum,” Dana chuckled. “See you out there.” 

Dennis nodded and shoved everything into his locker. He shuffled up towards the back of the day shift crowd as they listened to Robby update them on what happened on night shift and his expectations of the day. 

Another drop from thump's interpretation of Whitaker's FUNKleberry playlist!

"Lookin for that good stuff / Tighten up on your backstroke!"