Tony

Laura opened the text and smiled. She was approved to work and could start at noon, if she wanted. If not, then he asked her to come in on Saturday.

Laura made sure to text Dan the good news and felt her spirits rise. She could do something at least to help them financially. Time seemed to crawl as she waited for the time to drive over to the clinic.

Letta greeted Laura with a smile as she came in the lobby. The brunette receptionist tucked her flyaway hair behind one ear and waved Laura over to her. "Come on, dear. I can't get up. I'll get you situated and set up in the system. I have a badge for you already made to work the card readers. I'm excited to work with you," she gushed.

Laura smiled and took the card. She went to the secured door entered. Walking around the wall to the desk on the other side of the door, she was greeted by Letta doing breathing exercises. "Getting close?" she asked.

"No, just a rough day," the light-skinned woman complained. "Darn girl is sitting on my bladder too."

"I remember that all too well," Laura confided and took a seat in one of the empty chairs beside a computer. As she sat a young woman with a split lip and red eyes came up to the window.

"Excuse me?" the raven-haired woman whispered. "I... should have an appointment."

"Name... dear?" Letta asked as she breathed slowly.

"Moxy."

Laura flicked her eyes over the organized desk. She saw a rack with the words intake on it. A cursory glance revealed the name "Liv "Moxy" Ryders". She grabbed the folder and passed it to Letta. The receptionist flashed her a smile and took the folder.

Laura didn't see Dr. Tony until a few hours after she'd started her shift. Another doctor by the name of Gregor took care of many of the pregnant women and children. Tony came in with a smile and waved to a number of the staff as he breezed his way toward his office.

"He's so hot," Uma giggled to Laura. "I wish he liked women with smaller breasts. You look like his type though," she hinted with a wink.

"Don't go causing trouble, Uma," Letta chided. She eyed Laura. "She... isn't wrong. You are his type. We don't judge here, but... if things go that way, just use protection. I don't go... well... just be smart," she muttered.

"What she doesn't want to say, is that Dr. Tony has a couple of baby-mommas. He's... got some strong swimmers," she giggled before taking the next patient's folder from a frowning Letta.

"You were bound to find out," Letta sighed. "He's a good man. He... just is a little free with his affection."

"I'm no stranger to that. I'll keep things professional," Laura promised.

"I'm sure you will, dear. Now, let's show you the insurance process."

Laura felt tired and mentally wrung out as she came through the door to their apartment. The smell of food hit her as she closed the door. "Smells wonderful," she murmured as she made her way to the bed. She pulled off her blouse and found a clean top.

"How was work?" Dan asked.

"Long," she admitted as she looked for a shirt among the bags.

"Was... it bad?" he asked.

"No, it's just... well... a lot of those women... and men," Laura sighed as she slipped the shirt over her head. "I saw more bruises and cuts than I thought I would."

"Prostitutes?" Dan asked. She could hear him moving around the kitchen. "Someone beat them?"

"It... isn't uncommon in that profession. It's dangerous, even without the risk of STDs, pregnancy, or plenty of other hazards. I knew someone who just plain disappeared one night," she admitted.

"Really?"

Laura turned to see him sitting at the table, a worried expression on his face. "Yeah, we were coworkers at Gilbert's Taxing. She needed to pay some bills and... hooked on the side. It paid for her to go to school, so she tried it again. I think something went wrong... or she got mixed up with the wrong area. Either way, the police asked a few questions, and I told them what little I knew."

"Wow, I had no idea," Dan said.

"It's not something you tell your twelve-year-old son."

"Yeah, I can understand that. Come eat," he prodded.

"Thank you for cooking," Laura said as she took a seat. "This looks lovely." She meant it too. It looked like something she might order from a restaurant.

They ate for a bit before Dan broke the silence. "Is it a job you'll be able to do?" Dan asked.

"I can," she answered with a small smile. "It was just a shock. Letta is a lovely woman, by the way. She had to leave early due to... well... you tend to leak some when you're pregnant. I handled everything just fine for Dr. Tony."

With the internet, Dan and Laura were able to pass the time in relative company without actually talking. Laura wanted to say something several times but didn't voice her thoughts.