"You got it. Sit still, Brother Mine."
"Yeah...." Obi sighed as he lowered himself into a leather recliner. Fumbling a moment with the buttons, he found the switch to raise the foot rest.
Wynter came back with something wrapped in a tea towel. Handing it to him, she sat on a nearby hassock. "Are you sure you're all right?"
"Yes." He put the bundle on his shoulder.
"Mom hasn't got an ice pack. That's frozen peas."
He chuckled. "I keep a bag of peas in my freezer, just for bumps and bruises. I think I've had it for five years now."
She giggled. "I hope you don't get hit that much."
"I teach a martial arts class at the church, during the summer. Mostly kids, but I also do an adult class."
"He always manages to overdo," Clive told her.
"Yeah. I do," Obi chuckled.
There was a knock at the door. Clive went to answer it. Eagle and Sarah stood on the porch. Laden with bags, Eagle came in.
"More in the back," he told his brother. "What happened to the old man?"
"Funny," Obi said.
"Sarah, if you could have a look?" Wynter's face showed her concern.
"Sure. What did that monster do to you?"
"No clue."
"He broke his collar bone when he was seven," Eagle said as he walked back in. "Mom went into labor with me, because it came through the skin."
"I can see that happening," Wynter said. "Broken bones. Blood." She shuddered.
"I guess if your kids get hurt, Obi has to deal with it," Eagle said as he carried bags to the kitchen.
"Who said anything about kids?" Obi called after him, gasping when Sarah moved his arm.
"Take off your shirt, Obadiah," Sarah commanded in a tone which could not be argued with.
"Let me help you," Wynter said.
"I can get it," he leaned forward to undo the collar, gasping.
"That's it. I've got it," Wynter said. Her hands reached for his shirt front.
Obi grabbed her hand, gently but firmly. His face held reprimand.
"I'll help him," Eagle said, rushing forward. "Nothing personal, ladies, but maybe—don't help." He could see that Obi was barely holding it together. If Wynter undid his shirt—he didn't want to speculate.
Nodding his thanks, Obi got up. Eagle undid the collar and unbuttoned the black priest's shirt. Slipping it off, he bit his lip. Obi's right shoulder was blue, black and purple. A livid bruise went around the base of his neck, where the stiff collar had dug in.
"Why didn't the paramedics notice this?" Wynter gasped, wanting to touch it. Only the fact that Eagle was standing in her way, kept her back.
"Some bruising doesn't show up right away." Sarah went and washed her hands. Drying them on a paper towel, she stepped closer. "This is going to hurt, so try to relax," she announced.
"Go for it," Obi said. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled slowly as she pressed. Hissing, he flinched.
"Again," Sarah commanded.
He did the same again, yelping when she hit another spot.
"I don't think it's broken, but it creaks. Is that the shoulder you broke before?"
"Yeah," he said through gritted teeth.
"It's entirely possible you simply bruised it badly. I think you need x-rays, but I'm calling Dad to be sure."
"Oh, come on!" Obi protested.
"You're doing it," she stated calmly. "If it's bleeding inside, it could be very dangerous. Dad has an x-ray machine at the clinic. You wouldn't need to go to the hospital." She dialed her phone. When her father answered, she told him the situation.
"Bring him over. I'll meet you."
"Thanks, Dad. On our way." She glared at Obi. "No protests, Mister."
"None," he sighed in defeat. "You all stay here," he told his brothers and Wynter. "Get some dinner going. This won't take long."
"I've got this," Sarah assured them. She helped Obi put his shirt on, minus the collar.
Her father met them in the clinic. Obi hadn't realized that he lived upstairs, and owned the building where it was housed.
"Handy arrangement," he said quietly as Sarah unlocked the door.
"Yes, it is. Until I got my own place, I lived upstairs, too. There are several apartments, which he loans to people who work here, until they get on their feet."
"What a great thing to do."
Sir met them in the waiting room. "This way, Father."
"Just Obi, Dad. He's off the clock." She winked at Obi.
"Yeah. I get kind of Fathered out," Obi said. "By the end of the day, the collar comes off, and it's just Obi."
"Come on through, Just Obi," Sir said. "I've got this, honey."
"I'll help."
Together, the father and daughter got the machine set up, positioning Obi in front of it. A few minutes later, they were done. Sir helped him put his shirt back on.
"We'll have images in a second or two. Have a seat. Want some water?"
"Yes, thanks."
Sarah already had one in her hands. She held out a bottle of pills. "Dad prescribed these. Very mild pain relievers. Take one now, and follow every four to six hours, as needed."
"Thank you." He took the one she'd handed him.
"Got them," Sir called from the control booth. The screen near Obi flickered on. He was looking at an x-ray of his chest and shoulder. "You can see the old, remodeled break here," Sir pointed to an area of the image which was denser. "No new break, thank God. It's strained and hurts like a bitch, but it's not broken. I'll fit you with a sling."
©Dellani Oakes 2023
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