Jessie walked confidently, surprising all the doctors she passed.

"What’s up with her today? Why is she so energetic? Didn’t Director Nancy hit her?" someone asked in a low voice.

"She seems like a completely different person from yesterday!" someone remarked.

Jessie stopped to address them, "Don’t talk nonsense. Director Nancy didn’t hit me. I felt dizzy and happened to faint yesterday. It has nothing to do with Director Nancy!"

"Are you sure? That wasn’t what you told us yesterday. You said it was Director Nancy who…" the man interjected.

"I told you, I was dizzy yesterday. I don’t remember anything I said. Don’t take it too seriously. I’m going to go and explain what happened to her now. She… She’s actually a good woman!" Jessie said, blushing.

"What? Jessie’s acting so weird today. I can’t believe she actually said something nice about Director Nancy. She told me before that she couldn’t stand Director Nancy. Why the sudden change of heart today?"

"Who knows? Maybe she misunderstood Director Nancy."

"Director Nancy is a good doctor," someone argued.

"I agree with you on that. Director Nancy doesn’t try to milk her patients for more money the way Jessie does!"

After one person made that claim, everyone started to talk about it amongst themselves.

Jessie’

ile, too weak to stand against him. The man’s grip on Bobby tightened. He pushed her away with one arm, Nancy falling on the chair.

"What are you doing?"

she shouted anxiously.

"Relax, lady. I just want the kid to light this cigarette for me!" the man slurred, his breath reeking of alcohol.

This man was drunk!

"Will you please put him down? Why are you being so unreasonable?" she argued, taking out her phone to call the police.

The man reached for her and grabbed the phone away from her. "What’s with all the fuss? It’s just a cigarette! Do you want me to throw him across the floor instead?"

the man threatened, staring at her fiercely.

"Mommy, I'm scared..." Nadia pleaded, tugging on the hem of Nancy’s shirt. She had always been sensitive to violence, and all the bad memories she tried to forget suddenly came out.

Bobby calmly stared at the drunk man. "Uncle, do you want me to light your cigarette for you?" he asked.

"Yeah, just light it for me, will you? It’s very simple. Don’t you agree?" the man asked as he reached out a finger to pull Bobby’s hair.

Bobby nodded calmly. "Okay, Uncle. I’ll light your cigarette for you. Would you put me down first?"

"Sure thing, kid." The man sat Bobby back down on his chair and placed his lighter in Bobby’s small hands.