Page 107 of Haze of Obedience

Naomi comes into the kitchen. "I'll get it."

"I'll go put clothes on."

Naomi gets the kit, and Andre comes back dressed. He puts a clean dish towel down and puts my arm on it. "Take her rings off."

Naomi pulls them off my fingers.

Penelope strokes my hair.

All I can concentrate on is the horrible sensation on my arm.

Andre applies lotion and bandages it. It happens so quickly I don't even look at what's in the lotion. He hands me a pain killer. "Take this."

I hesitate and almost take it. "No thanks."

"It's just over the counter. It'll help with the pain."

"No," I cry out.

He holds up his hands. "Okay. You don't have to."

Chill out. You're going to freak everyone out and then end up having to tell Naomi and Andre.

Penelope gives me a sympathetic glance.

She probably remembers how horrible it was to live with me during my first detox with Santiago.

"Sorry."

"No worries," Andre assures me.

"What were you making?" Naomi asks and picks up the pot.

"Tamales. Dirk likes them," Penelope teases.

I roll my eyes and try to cover up my feelings for Dirk once more. "I was just trying to be nice and show him what real food tastes like."

Naomi picks up a towel and mops the water off the floor. "Tell me your recipe, and I'll make them."

I wanted to do something nice for Dirk.

I can't even make him a meal without help.

"Okay," I sniffle.

The four of us make the food and put it in the oven to stay warm. The guys arrive back several hours later.

"What happened to your arm?" Dirk puts his hand on my back and scrunches his face.

"I burned it when the earthquake happened."

He pulls me into his chest. I avoid looking at Penelope, who I'm sure has her 'I was right' look on her face. "Does it hurt?"

"I'll be fine. I can handle it."

"She didn't want to take any pain meds," Andre says.

I stare at my thighs, trying not to cry further and wanting to tell Andre to give me the medicine.