Page 96 of For Fox Sake

I shake my head. “No. I can’t.”

She clucks in sympathy. “I get it. I’ll be back, I’m going to let the others know.”

She disappears and I stare at Jake’s face. Willing him to open his eyes, as I’ve been doing every minute for the past fourteen hours.

All in all, he got lucky. The driver of the car braked at the last minute, so the speed was greatly reduced when the impact occurred. Jake was knocked off his feet, cracked some ribs, has a crap ton of bruises, and hit his head against the pavement.

They did an MRI and determined there was no brain bruising or bleeding, and the concussion is mild, but he hasn’t woken up.

Maybe it’s because of the pain meds.

Ari scraped her hands and knees on the pavement when Jake shoved her out of the way, but was otherwise unharmed. Emotionally, she was a wreck, terrified, racked with guilt, certain she had been the cause of Jake getting hurt.

She couldn’t contain herself. She was so excited to see him. She knows to look both ways, but she’s only six.

I had been on the porch watching her only a minute before the whole thing went down. I went inside to use the bathroom, and when I came out, Ari was gone. I ran out into the street and came across the whole scene right after it happened.

I should have made her come inside while I peed, but I had no idea Jake would show up, no idea she would run out into the street after him, no idea there would be a teenage kid driving down the road, not paying attention.

The ambulance arrived within minutes, whisking both Ari and Jake away.

The driver was also beside himself with guilt.

The whole thing was a series of unfortunate events.

But no one was seriously injured, so all in all... it will be okay.

I just wish he would open his eyes and then I might believe it.

It’s probably better that he rest and heal.

His entire family, all four sisters and their significant others, arrived about six hours ago. After crowding the room for a few minutes, they set up camp in the waiting area and have been taking turns coming in to check on him.

They’ve been wonderful. I’ve been hugged more in the past six hours than I have the rest of my entire life. They brought us food, insisting we eat something. All of their care and assurances are the only reason Ari was able to finally fall asleep.

I wish I could join her. I’m exhausted and yet wired. I lean forward and rest my head next to Jake’s hand.

Maybe I’ll just shut my eyes for a minute.

Jake’s fingers twitch against mine and I jerk up, eyes flying up to lock with his.

He’s awake.

My heart tumbles in my chest.

His smile is crooked. “Hey you. Surprise.”

I burst into tears.

He shifts in the bed, trying to move. I put a hand up to stop him and try to pull myself together, wiping at my face. “I’m okay,” I manage. “I was so worried.”

He winces. “What happened?” Then his eyes widen, his whole body going tense. “Ari. Where is she?”

“She’s fine,” I assure him. “She’s asleep.” I gesture toward the cot on the other side of his bed.

He looks over and then relaxes, slumping back into the bed. His hand squeezes mine. “Tell me everything.”

I give him the rundown of the accident, how his whole family is here waiting for him to wake up, how no one was injured except for him, and his injuries are not major, and everything is fine. At least it will be, once his bruising heals.

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