Sweet Twins

Nancy stood there and smiled, somewhat awkwardly.

"Mommy, I miss you so much." With that proclamation, Bobby threw himself into Nancy with no regard. His arms wrapped around her knees and he sat on her feet.

Nancy picked him up, kissed him on each of his chubby cheeks, and whispered, "I miss you, too." She was afraid to show to let on exactly how much, but her heart stung and she snuggled him in closer for a second. Hopefully, he got the message in her extra tight hold.

"My daddy said that Grandma is going through menopause, and that we should be extra patient with her. So, try to be nice, okay, Mommy?" Bobby looked up at Nancy with his big, round eyes and his father looked down and coughed to hide a laugh. Bobby whispered more nonsense in Nancy's ear, while she held him.

Nancy just smiled and humored him silently.

It was then that Angelina decided the interaction had lasted too long and become too intimate for her taste, so she snorted to bring the attention back to her.

Nancy carefully placed Bobby back on the ground and patted his head before she turned and walked towards Angelina. She spoke in a soft voice, like someone would speak if trying to calm a wild animal, "Ma'am, can I have a look at your injury? I know my specialty is pediatrics, but I am still a surgeon."

Angelina stubbornly crossed her arms over her chest and looked away, murmuring under her breath, "I have a perfectly good doctor at home, thank you." It was quite apparent that she meant she did not want Nancy in particular to check her.

Nancy had expected this and said, with a tight smile, "Mrs. Fu, as a doctor, I just want to remind you that your wound is serious and it is critical that you change the dressing as frequently as directed. Your face is beautiful. If you'd like to keep it that way, listen to the advice of a doctor, or you may scar. That is your choice. I can assure you that I am knowledgeable about wounds as a doctor and surgeon. I graduated top of my class from Harvard. I think this makes me more qualified in dealing with your wound than even your private doctor at home. Knowing all of this, I ask you one last time, would you like me to have a look at your injury?"

Nancy purposely kept her tone throughout calm and detached, but assertive.

If there was anything she had learned over the years, it was that self-confidence came from an inner poise and strength. She tried to pour that into this conversation instead of melting under the older woman's glares.

"Mommy, you're the best!" Bobby chimed in, oblivious to the tension between the two women. Nancy took solace in little Bobby's admiration. It stood in stark contrast to Angelina's opinion of her.

Charles, Bobby's father, had been mostly silent during this exchange and now cast a glance at her, echoing his son's admiration.

He found Nancy's confidence and persistence alluring, even in this difficult exchange.

Angelina was stunned into silence. She was no longer focused on her wound, but the cold way Nancy had addressed her. Mrs. Fu, instead of aunt.

Angelina worried that she was being too harsh on Nancy. Besides, even though she was in her fifties, she was still afraid of a scar marring her beauty. This wound was large and in charge in the front of her forehead.

around and looked

upper hand in this unwelcome

voice as she clarified, "Mrs. Fu, I haven't even checked your wound yet. I cannot promise you anything, but I do feel I am your best shot at this point." Nancy bent down

said this. "Here you are, Mommy," he proudly announced as he handed the

sweet boy," Nancy said with a genuine smile directed at Bobby. Nancy opened it, took out disposable gloves and donned them before

speaking so intimately again made

continued towards Angelina's forehead with another shrug, "Mrs. Fu, if you keep your face still, you won't cause yourself

to not move her forehead at all as she finally muttered, "Nancy, call me auntie. It's awkward when you call me Mrs. Fu and you know it." She was quick to clarify, "That doesn't mean that I like you though.

to school her face into an

peeled the gauze

on Angelina's wound to coagulate and harden. There was now a fine layer of scabs. Nancy took the alcohol and disinfected the cut again, hoping to soften

hang in there. Are you doing alright so far?" she

choked out, determined to remain stoic with Nancy touching her. Angelina closed

expected. "I'm not going to lie to you. It is not well stitched. It may open, scar, or even get infected

doctor stitched her wound the first time and she was not excited to

briefly considered if her looks or her pain were more important. Figuring the pain would be a shorter punishment than a permanently scarred

a little

opportunity to get revenge since I am mean to you?" Angelina blurted this out before realizing what she had said, then shrugged because it was the

is no hatred between us. Why should I take revenge on you?" Nancy could see this did not calm the woman and tried a different tactic. She sighed, "Never mind. Since you have your doubts, I won't re-stitch it for you. But I'm telling you now, I believe there will be a scar if left as is, so

sink. She compromised, "Fine. I'll

Bobby who stifled chuckles at seeing Angelina asking Nancy for anything. Maybe it

Bobby had brought her earlier and laid out the tools she needed. As carefully and quickly as she could, Nancy stitched Angelina. It was obvious only to

even when Nancy reached points she knew should have hurt. However, Angelina kept her eyes firmly shut as well, which saved both women from awkward eye contact in such proximity.

wound in fresh gauze. "All done, Auntie," she said with a small smile. "With any

as close to a compliment as Angelina had ever given Nancy. There was even a hint of gentleness in her tone.

best, isn't she?" Bobby said as he tried to embrace

best doctor," Charles chimed

and Charles both complimented