“How long has this been going on?”
He hated the idea of her suffering in silence, of not trusting him enough to tell him she was in pain. It was frustrating that she’d kept this from him—how was he supposed to care for her if she didn’t tell him when something was wrong? But he swallowed his irritation because she’d told him now.
“For about a week.”
His frustration flared again—he’d expected since this morning or maybe since last night, but a whole week? That wasnotokay. “You’ve been sick for a week and didn’t tell me?”
Another scowl. “I’m not sick. I told you, I think I’ve just been nervous.”
“If you’re so worried that your stomach has been hurting for a week then you are sick.”
Gunnar took his phone from his pocket, unlocked it and started searching his contacts.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m calling Dr. Eric to get you in for an appointment.”
“I—”
He held up a finger. “No. I’m responsible for you. If it’s nothing then Dr. Eric will say that and roll his eyes at me for being overprotective. But if it’s not nothing? I would never forgive myself if I let it go on for any longer.”
Surprisingly, Eric picked up his phone.
“Hey man, what’s up?”
“Answering your own phone now? Don’t you pay people for that?”
Eric laughed. “Yeah, but Flora just headed out and I was standing here looking through charts. I saw your number on the caller ID so I figured I wouldn’t make you leave a voicemail. So what’s going on?”
“Twyla’s had a stomachache for a week that she’s just telling me about now. I know you’re usually pretty booked, but do you have any time to see her in the next couple of days?”
Twyla crossed her arms and pouted at him but he wasn’t going to be dissuaded. He wouldn’t be neglectful like her parents, he’d take care of her. Like he’d said, if it was nothing, then great. Eric could make fun of him and they’d come home. That would be fantastic. But if it wasn’t nothing…
“You could bring her in now.”
“Are you sure? You’re supposed to be done for the day, and I know how hard you work. You must want to go home and relax.”
He could practically hear Eric’s shrug on the other end of the line.
“It was a pretty easy day, mostly check-ups. And besides, I know how you worry. Don’t wantyougetting a stomachache from fretting about your little girl.”
Gunnar rolled his eyes, but Eric was right. He did worry, and he wouldn’t stop until he knew she was okay. It was bad enough that he hadn’t noticed that she was feeling so unwell. She deserved better than that, and definitely better from him.
“Thanks, you’re a good friend. We’ll be there in twenty minutes.”