“There’s no dentist’s office, only this rubber mat on the bar.”
“I know.”
“What’s the plan?”
“Lexi,” Hannah said, putting a hand on her arm, “you have an infected abscessed tooth. The antibiotics we have will work, but the tooth has to be extracted, otherwise you could get a serious infection, and without proper medical care you could die.”
Lexi opened her eyes. “What are you trying to tell me? Just give it to me straight.”
“I need to pull the tooth. Now.”
Lexi gulped. “Without any anesthesia?”
“I’m afraid so,” Hannah replied.
“Oh, God. If my schedule hadn’t been so busy, I would have gone to the damn dentist.” Lexi glanced at Hannah. “No offense. I didn’t mean it the way it came out.”
“None taken.”
“There’s no other choice?”
“No.”
“How bad will it hurt?”
“It’ll hurt pretty bad for a few seconds. With any luck, you’ll pass out from the pain,” Hannah offered.
“Great,” Lexi mumbled.
“Will you be able to handle it?”
“Do I have a choice?”
Hannah shook her head.
“What are you going to use to pull it?” Lexi asked.
“In dental school we learned about using surgical clamps in dire circumstances, and this qualifies as dire. Big time.” Hannah did not mention that ordinary pliers sterilized with liquor would be her probable surgical kit.
The expression on Lexi’s face was a mixture of horror and disbelief that she’d be subjected to a procedure probably used on terrorists.
“I’ll use the clamp to grip the tooth. Then I’ll turn it like a key, and with any luck, it’ll pop right out.”
“It sounds easy,” Lexi said, knowing it would be anything but.
Hannah explained further she’d prepare a saltwater solution so Lexi could rinse her mouth. Once the extraction had been performed, she’d pack the area with gauze to staunch the bleeding. She instructed Lexi to change the gauze several times a day until the bleeding stopped. Stepping aside, Joe offered his knife for the initial incision, and said Ethan mentioned that he had found a set of pliers.
As Joe was leaving to get the pliers, Hannah took hold of his shoulder. “Do you have any more whiskey? This bottle is getting a bit low.”
“I’ll find some. What do you need it for?”
“To disinfect the instruments and for Lexi to drink.”
“She needs to be drunk for this?” Joe asked.
“Not required, but she’ll need several shots to help with the pain.”
~ ~ ~
Ten minutes later Joe returned with the pliers and a bottle of whiskey.
Racing to where Hannah and Lexi were, Joe handed the bounty to Hannah. Breathless, he said, “I hurried as fast as I could.”
“You did good. Thank you.” Hannah smiled.
“If you need anything else, let me know. I’ll be right over there,” Joe pointed to a chair, “so I won’t be in the way.”
“Actually, I need you here.” Hannah put the instrument and gauzes she needed for the procedure on a clean paper towel.
“Why?”
“I want to know why too.” Lexi had rinsed her mouth with the saltwater mix and handed the empty cup to Joe.
“I need you to straddle Lexi and to put your weight on her legs. I also need you to hold down her arms.”
“You’re such a tease.” Joe used his best sexy voice then winked at Hannah.
“Really?” Hannah placed her hands on her hips. “I’m about to do a tooth extraction and you’re trying to flirt with me!”
“What?” Joe’s face contorted into disbelief. “No, I’m not.”
“Sounded like it to me.”
“I was trying to use some humor to lighten things up. You should try it sometime,” Joe said.
“You’re saying I can’t crack a joke?”
“I’m not saying that at all. I’m saying I wouldn’t flirt with you.”
“Why? You don’t think I’m pretty enough?”
While Joe and Hannah were slinging insults at each other, they didn’t notice Lexi slide off the bar and hobble over to where Joe had placed the whiskey. She struggled with the twist off cap and once she had removed it, she took several gulps of whiskey, drinking it like it was water. She shuddered, wondering why anyone would drink straight whiskey. Taking a breath, she coughed from the burn in her throat.
“I’m ready,” Lexi sputtered. “Let’s get this over with.”
Hannah and Joe didn’t hear Lexi. They were too busy trying to one up each other with clever comebacks.
“I said I’m ready!” Lexi yelled. “Let’s get this over with!”
Hannah and Joe looked at Lexi.
“You sound like an old married couple,” Lexi said.
“I’ve been told,” Joe said. His eyes dropped to the whiskey bottle, specifically to the amount missing. “Did you drink all that?”
“I did.”
“On an empty stomach?”
“Yup, and I’m starting to feel quite good.”
“I bet you are,” Joe said.
Hannah took charge. “Lexi, lie down. Joe, you straddle Lexi like I said earlier. I’ll work as fast as I can.”
Hannah worked quickly to disinfect her hands, the pliers, and Joe’s knife. She placed several gauzes and towels within reach.
Joe straddled Lexi, holding down her arms and legs.
By now, Lexi was feeling the entire mind-numbing effect of the whiskey, especially since she was a light drinker, only imbibing during social events. She limited herself to one glass of wine which she never finished, and one she watched the bartender pour. She had heard horror stories of singers getting drugged at events, and she vowed never to let that happen to her.
The world became blurry and she tried to focus on Joe’s face. “Hey, big boy.” She giggled. “Whatcha doin’?”
“I’m doin’ what Hannah told me,” Joe said without smiling.
“You’re holding me down because I’m strong,” Lexi purred. “Do you like a strong woman?”
“I like all women.”
“Your lips are nice and kissable. You have strong hands. I kinda like this.”
“You like getting your tooth pulled?” No way was Joe
