#Chapter 42: Provider

Iris “Are you sure you don’t want to come with us, Ms. Tarrou?” Augustine glances up at the handsome male EMT as she lowers herself into her armchair and waves her hand dismissively. “No, no. I’m feeling much better now. You’ve been a great help.” The EMT looks at me, and I shrug, showing him to the door. He gives me a number to call if Augustine has another episode before he leaves. I thank him and shut the door. “Make sure you lock it,” Augustine calls, shivering in her chair. “Just in case…” I shoot her a sidelong glance, but oblige. When I make my way back over to her, she has her feet propped up on the ledge in front of the woodstove. She looks a whole hell of a lot better than she did when I found her standing dazedly in the middle of the street earlier, although she still looks a bit shaken. When she saw me earlier, though, something in her changed completely. The look of panic on her face turned into a pleasant smile, and she shuffled over to