Free London Harmony: Flotilla by Erik Schubach Page B

assured me in turn, “Like you have magical control of the mischief children get into at school.” She paused and then asked in a quieter voice, “Keep me informed? I should be there, I'm a terrible mother.”
    I growled out, “So now you're the one with magical control? Of course, I'll keep you informed, through our mutual evil one.”
    Paya said from nearby Steph, “Hey! I resemble that remark.”
    I relaxed more at the banter we were all slipping into, it meant that she couldn't be too upset with me.
    I said, “We're pulling into the hospital now. I'll call when I know something. Here say hello to the poor victim.”
    I put Nat on, and she said chirpily, “We're getting' a taxi ride mummy. Yes. No. Ok. I love you like bunches of wainbows too.”
    She handed the mobile back, and the woman on the other end said to me, “I'll see you back at home, lady?”
    I nodded to thin air and said, “Of course, see you there.”
    As she rang off, she said, “Ta.” Ah ha! So that's where Paya got that.
    It felt good to pay the driver with cash. My cash. Lolly I had worked hard for, Paya saw to that. I know I may sound as if I am off my trolly, but it made me feel like a real person again instead of the shadow on the street that everyone ignored.
    We made a dash from the taxi to the emergency room entrance. Then the endless filling out of forms began. What I couldn't fill out, I got Nat to help with, or I'd call Paya. Then after an hour and a half wait, they finally saw us and I saw what was below Natalie's coat.
    I had a mini panic attack at the blood on her torn sleeve. But her arm was bandaged nicely in a clean white wrap. The doc was friendly and gentle, I think she may have specialized in pediatrics. When she asked Nat how she got such a spectacular cut, the little one said with pride, “Susan Larson said I couldn't swing high 'nough to jump over the puddles and trash bin. I showed her.”
    I blanched and blurted out, “You jumped a waste bin from the swings? What were you thinking? And why were you playing in the rain?”
    She looked sheepishly at me and more asked than stated, “She double dog dared me?”
    I just stared at her. Risking herself for something foolish like that. Then I remembered the things I did as a child on a dare, which made this look like a stroll in the park in comparison. The doc and I exchanged a look, then we couldn't help it as we cracked up. The children were smiling and laughing with us, though they didn't understand why, it was just fun to laugh.
    The doc nodded at her and said in a serious tone, “Well now you'll have a good battle scar to show Susan Larson.” Nat beamed with pride over that.
    The doc looked at me and said, “We'll clean it out and redress it. There will likely be scarring. It won't need stitches though it is a close thing, a couple butterfly bandages should do it. I'll give you care instructions. Mostly don't get it wet for twenty-four hours or so while it works on closing itself up.”
    I turned my head to the window to watch as the rain pounded it, I muttered, “Don't get it wet... right.” She followed my gaze and then grinned, and we both chuckled again.
    She quantified her earlier statement, “As much as possible I guess.”
    I asked with mock seriousness, “Can we wrap her in plastic wrap before heading out?” The woman had to bite her own tongue to stop from chuckling again as she shook her head in the negative.
    Then we took care of the mundane details and before long we were released back into the wild, tagged and released, and I called Paya to update her so she could let Steph know.
    I looked down at the children while we sat in the lobby as I rang up a taxi. I asked, “I don't know about the two of you, but I'm about ready to eat my right leg I'm so hungry. Lunch?” They cheered in agreement with their characteristic excessive excitement.
    Nat asked, “Can we eat in the 'spital cafeteria? They gots chocolate pudding.”
    I paused as I dialed and