Suzie’s House 173: Pobresito

“Pobresito,” Maria muttered under her breath as she took Drew’s hand. Had it not been for her and Todd, this fine man would not now be addicted to some strange new designer drug. He could have been back in that place he’d come out from, wherever it was, doing simple internet investigations.

“What?” Toby moved closer, making Maria tense, and release Drew’s hand.

“Poor man, I said.”

“Is that all?”

“Cowboy,” she muttered with disdain. Heartless man. He understood nothing of the needs of another man or the love of a woman. How could she ever have dated Toby? Her brains, they’d gone missing.

“Come on.” Toby pulled on her arm. “August 4th is coming soon. We need to get ready.”

“No. You go ahead. I will be there soon enough.” She slipped loose.

“I’m not going to leave you here.” His eyes flashed to the hospital bed where Drew lay, the jealous jerk. It wasn’t like there would ever be anything but work between the two of them.

Either of the two of them.

Maria sighed, and brushed the hair from Drew’s eyes. He looked tired around the blown-pupil glaze. He swatted at her hand, and came no where near.

“What are we going to do about him? The doctors, you know they aren’t going to be able to do anything, considering what he’s on. We should take responsibility.”

“How? By taking him home and putting wet washcloths on his forehead until he comes down?” He glared like he knew that was exactly what she wanted to do. “He’s better off here. As for detox, we’ll come up with something. We need him clean and sober when we go before the judge. Which isn’t going to happen if we don’t get back to the office and get to work.” He grabbed her arm again.

Drew turned toward her and almost focused on her eyes.

“Go.” He waved in a general way, like a drunk swatting a fly. “Don’t waste my work.”

“It isn’t right,” Maria said to both men.

“Excuse me. Visiting hours are over,” a nurse said from the door.

“All right. It must be fate.” Maria followed Toby from the room.

She wanted to say something comforting to Drew, but all he ever wanted was that woman he left behind. If only Toby could be more like him. As for the cowboy, he had a smug grin on his face that made her want to hit him.

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