“You better go on and call them when you leave here. A forced claim is nothing to deal with on your own, and now is the time for them to be here beside you. That’s what family is for. Your therapist is going to tell you the same thing. If you were mine, I’d want to know, and I’d want to be with you. You promise me that, too. Look at me so I can tell you’re not shining me on.”

Gabriel met her eyes. “I’ll call him. As soon as I get home. Thank you. I’m sorry for...” 

“What did I tell you about apologizing? And you can thank me when it’s all over and you’re feeling like yourself again. Now, you’re going to lie back on this exam table for me and work on that sucker, and I’m going to put something under your feet to get the blood going in the right direction. Do you need a blanket?”

Gabriel shook his head. He was too jacked up on adrenaline to be worried about cold or hot.

“No? Alright then, I’m going to step out for just a bit. You lie here and rest a little.”

Teneisha closed the door behind her and leaned against it silently for a second, staring thoughtfully at her shoes. Then she walked over to the nurse’s desk, picked up the phone, and punched a button. 

“Susan, Gabriel Cooper is ready for you, but come see me for a minute before we head in. Bring Alexander with you. I want to get you both up to date.”