Truth or Lies? by A. Gomez (books to get back into reading TXT) 📕

My mother and I headed for the kitchen and she quickly started getting a plate ready for me. Usually, she would tell us we’re strong and healthy enough to help ourselves, but since I’d been nearly killed twice, I was assuming she knew I was not strong enough yet to help myself. Normally, I would be milking it for all it was worth, being waited on by her, but I was kind of sick and tired of feeling so weak and helpless. I couldn’t stand it. She placed a plate full of food in front of me with milk and orange juice to go with it. It brought back memories from when I would stay home sick, from school and I would get the same kind of treatment. I smiled a thank you at her. She placed another plate of food across from me. By the size of the portions that were on it, I quickly concluded it was for Ben. She didn’t know what he liked to drink so she placed an empty glass with a coffee mug by his plate for him. She brought over the coffee pot and carton of orange juice and set it on the table. My mother sat down next to me, coffee in hand with a small plate of eggs and bacon. She usually couldn’t eat when she was upset or nervous and clearly, she must have been still upset over today’s ordeal. Ben joined us after a few minutes.

“Is this for me?” he asked, pleasantly surprised.

“Of course, Ben. How could I forget about you? Dig in,” my mother answered sweetly.

“Thank you, Dr. Langley. My mouth started watering the moment we walked in.” He eagerly sat down and obeyed my mother, digging in as if this were the first time he’d seen food in months. My mother snickered to herself. I ate slowly, trying to take my time so I wouldn’t have to move my arm as much and cause it to hurt further.

My mother picked up on my snail’s pace, “Honey, are you sure you’re all right?”

Ben’s gaze turned from his food to me. “It’s your arm, isn’t it? You’re starting to feel it hurt.”

“Yes, but I don’t want to take any more pills.” I looked at him with pleading eyes. “I’d rather just feel the pain, Ben.”

“Well, I do have to insist you take the antibiotic Greg gave you. And, yes, I stayed there the entire time and I did watch the pharmacist. Once she finished, I opened the bottle to look at the pills and it was in fact penicillin. As far as the pain goes…why don’t we try going with an over-the-counter ibuprofen? We can increase the milligrams for now. That should help a little and I’m sure you already have some here.”

I let out a heavy sigh. “All right, but if I die, beware, my mother may shoot you.”

He and my mother laughed. My mother got up to get the ibuprofen while Ben pulled the penicillin out of his pocket. He handed the bottle to me and told me to take everything now with my food. I took out one pill from the bottle while Ben told my mother to hand me three ibuprofen pills.

I picked up my juice and said, “Here goes nothing,” taking the antibiotic first and then the ibuprofen.

“Isabel, we should talk about Dr. David Summers and his role in all of this,” he said as he poured himself some coffee and juice. “He thinks the shooters at the hospital were just intruders looking for drugs and they stumbled onto the wrong floor. We’re going to let him think that for now. We can’t have this case compromised. Also, he seems to think that there may be a reconciliation between the two of you. Is that accurate?”

“Perhaps a few months ago that may have been possible but not anymore.” My gaze turned to my food and I shoved a few bites into my mouth. I didn’t want to give my feelings away regarding David.

“Well, we need for you to let him think that may be possible. We cleared David of any wrongdoing with the meds you ingested but we are certain there is a Triad member or someone loyal to the Triads that works around him or is in daily contact with him. By you being his love interest, you may be able to help us get to this person.”

“What about you?” I asked. “Who does he think you are since you’re here all the time?”

“I’m just the FBI agent that took over Josh’s case and therefore am now working closely with you.”

I looked down at my plate, moving my food around, and asked, “How is Josh?”

Ben regarded me for a moment before saying, “He’s doing well. He’s…recovering. He’s still in ICU. From what I hear, they may move him to a regular room soon.”

A lump caught in my throat. I was both angry and hurt, hearing about Josh but, yet, relieved he was recovering with no issues. “That’s great to hear,” I said with censure in my voice. “He’ll be back to his old playboy ways in no time.”

Ben just looked at me while chewing his food, giving nothing away. My mother offered him more sausage and biscuits. He thanked her and took several. She got up to get the rest of the food and placed it on the table. She kissed my temple and gave me a gentle hug.

Belín and Charlie finally made it home with Samson. Everyone came straight for the kitchen where the smell of food was coming from, including the dog. Belín went around the table kissing everyone on both cheeks, including Ben. I didn’t think Ben was any closer to being used to her kisses, since he always looked surprised when she went in for the kiss. I snickered