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“Aboxer’s fracture?” I asked incredulously. “Are you telling me that I broke my hand hitting that guy?”

I guess that explained why my hand hurt so much.

The doctor nodded. “Yes, I’m afraid so.”

I looked over at Andrew who’d followed me into the exam room. Not that I argued about it. I couldn’t explain why but having him around was comforting. I was really shaken by the whole going to jail thing. I’d never even had a traffic ticket before.

“Should have led with the first two knuckles,” he mumbled. “It’s a better way to punch.”

“Gee, I’m sorry I didn’t stop to figure out the proper punching form before I hit the guy who was grinding his gross erection against my ass while groping my boob!”

The doctor cleared his throat, getting my attention.

“I think it’ll heal on its own so I’m going to give you what’s called an ulnar gutter splint,” the doctor said. “It will immobilize your ring and pinkie fingers. You’ll keep it on at all times unless you’re bathing for three to six weeks. We’ll do a recheck x-ray in three weeks but if you have any worsening of symptoms, you need to see someone right away.”

“Three to six weeks?” I repeated. “It’s going to be hard working with that thing.”

My job was weird. Some weeks it was all computer work, other weeks I spent most of my time doing tabletop exercises or on-site trainings. Unless there was an actual emergency like an earthquake or wildfire. Then I was out in the field, helping manage response.

“You’ll need to be on modified duty,” the doctor said. “I want you to not use your right hand at all if you can avoid it. It’ll heal faster if you rest it completely. It’s a clean break, but if it doesn’t heal properly you’ll need surgery.”

I sighed deeply. “Damn it.”

My boss had been bugging me to take some time off for years. I was maxed out on vacation time, and she kept giving me speeches about ‘work life balance’ and not being a workaholic. I already knew Alice would use this as an excuse to make me take some time off. I hated taking time off.

“There’s one more thing,” the doctor said, his expression turning soft. “Given what happened and your age, you should follow up with your primary doctor for osteoporosis testing.”

“What?” My voice rose to a higher pitch.

“Osteoporosis, it’s a thinning of the bones…”

“I know what it is,” I interrupted. “I’m confused why you are suggesting tests for it.”

“It’s common for women in middle age to start losing bone density, and I see from your intake forms that your periods are erratic, so you’re likely in perimenopause, when it usually starts.”

“I’m only forty-five!” I said in outrage.

The doctor just looked at me like I was being difficult. I felt a flush rise on my face, which was weird because I hadn’t blushed since freshman year of high school. My eyes darted back to Andrew, and I suppressed a sigh. This was awesome. The hot guy I was obsessed with now knew that I was on my way to being a dried up old crone with brittle bones.

“I’ll talk to my regular doctor. Thank you,” I said in a firm voice that made it clear the subject was closed.

The doctor took the hint and headed for the door. “I’ll send someone in with your splint and discharge instructions. And no more punching people, please.”

I glared at the door after he left, too embarrassed to say anything to Andrew. Fortunately the physician’s assistant popped in less than two minutes later to set me up with the splint and after care instructions.

“What now?” Andrew asked as we got back into the car.

“Hold that thought,” I said as my phone rang. “It’s my boss.”

I’d left a message for her this morning, reporting the arrest and my hand injury. Andrew was certain he’d get the charges dropped, especially because so many people saw what happened, but I didn’t need my boss to hear about my arrest through the county grapevine.

“Hi Alice.”

“Are you okay?” she asked, her tone concerned. She was a good boss. I’d worked for her for years and we had a good relationship.

“Yeah, I’m fine. This guy was totally assaulting me, so I popped him in the face. I didn’t mean to break his nose, although I’m not sorry about it either. It figures the asshole is an off-duty cop, throwing his weight around, so he had me arrested.”

“This would only happen to you,” Alice said dryly.