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I walked to the dental chair and sighed when I saw Chicken standing with an older woman with gray hair in a twisted bun.

Chicken was a tall, lanky man with a kind face and a full heart. He wore a black T-shirt and jeans. His dark hair was swept to one side, looking like one of those K-pop stars that Kaylee loved so much. I didn’t know why people called him Chicken, and I never asked. He was known in the area as a thoughtful man who cared for his grandmother and her friends. My office treated many of them, and most didn’t have dental insurance.

“How can I help you?” I asked the young boy, who was holding a hand to his cheek.

“Max has a bad toothache that’s getting worse. His grandma is here with him,” Chicken explained. “They don’t have?—”

“I’ll take a look.” I patted Chicken’s arm, stopping him from stating the obvious out loud. Other patients were around, and I didn’t want anyone complaining about my good deeds. People could twist things for their own gain, which could cost me. I couldn’t afford any setbacks. My time in Providence was to find Aimee. Then I could return to California and resume my simple life.

“Thanks.” Chicken nodded and tucked his hands into his jeans.

I led Max into the exam room. Chicken and his grandmother stood against the wall.

On the stool, I scooted closer to the eight-year-old boy. “What’s going on, buddy?”

Wincing, he pointed to his right cheek. “It hurts a lot.”

“He didn’t sleep well last night,” said the grandmother.

I looked at the fearful boy. “Don’t be scared. I’ll take good care of you. Cavities are afraid of me. Now, open wide.”

“Dr. Vo has magical powers.” Chicken winked at me.

With a quick review, my heart sank. “You have an infection in your primary molar.” I looked up at Chicken and the grandmother. “It needs to be removed. I can do it right now.”

“Please,” said the grandmother.

Max beamed when everything was done, carrying the plastic baggie filled with a toy, a fancy toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. “Your adult tooth will fill in that space soon. Make sure you brush and floss twice a day. No candies.”

Max nodded.

“Thanks for squeezing us in,” Chicken said as the boy walked to the front desk to check out.

“Are you related to Max?”

“No. He lives in the same complex as my grandmother.” He reached for his wallet. “Can I give you some cash to cover part of it?”

“Don’t worry about it.” I waved a hand. “I have a fund for these kinds of situations.”

“Thank you,” Chicken said.

Max and his grandmother were busy putting on their coats in the waiting area.

I told Allison, my officer manager, to use the Kindness Fund to pay for their visit. Most dentists would call my deed an unprofitable business practice because I wasn’t making money, but I didn’t care. A kid went home pain-free today. If I were his parent, I’d want that for him too.

When my dad was a dentist, he also had a Kindness Fund. My mom thought it was the most wonderful idea, and they’d started dating because of that.

The only thing the visit cost me was time. I could’ve filled that slot with someone who had insurance, but I was helping a family who couldn’t afford dental care. This was why I wasn’t a wealthy dentist.And don’t even get me started on what some dental offices charge these days and what insurance suits claim is “unnecessary.”There were dentists sitting on the Board of Directors for dental insurance companies and the candy industry. Everything came back to money. The entire world was corrupt.

Walking back into my office, I shrugged off my lab coat and hung it on the rack. I washed my hands and prepped myself to look decent for the International Wine Expo event.

Out of habit, I checked my phone for the newsfeed from New England. Sometimes, the smallest details could provide clues to Aimee’s whereabouts. The local station had a segment on the wine expo and several of the notable attendees. An old image of Arrow and his ex-girlfriend splashed across the screen. Sylvia Ormon was a gorgeous brunette and looked like a supermodel.

An uncomfortable feeling sprouted in me. Surprised at the strange sensation, I rubbed my stomach.

He’d asked me on a date twice, but I’d declined, so I had no idea why I was experiencing the sudden pang of jealousy.

Wealthy men like him would attend a wine convention. I’d probably see them tonight. Or maybe miss them all together. I just wanted to get there, do what I needed to do, and head home.