Page 104 of Untethered Heart
My legs are tucked between Caleb’s, where we sit on the hard waiting room chairs. His head rests against my shoulder as I run my fingers through his hair. I look across the room where Mason talks in a hushed voice to his sister, reassuring her that Gage will be alright. Caleb told me that when Gage was younger, he was in a car accident similar to this one, and he was put in an induced coma for two days. I can imagine it’s bringing up a lot of overwhelming feelings for his family.
It’s almost an hour later when the doctor comes through.
“The family of Henry Heart?”
“Yes, that’s us.” Matilda rushes to stand, meeting the doctor in the middle of the waiting room. Caleb’s dad, Thomas, follows just behind with a hand on his wife’s shoulders.
“Hi, I’m Dr Miller.” The older gentleman shakes both of their hands while the rest of us join behind them.
“So, Henry—”
“Gage,” Beth quickly corrects.
The doctor tilts his head, then looks down at the clipboard in his hands.
“He goes by his middle name,” Matilda says.
Dr Miller smiles. “No problem. The good news is, Gage didn’t suffer from any broken ribs. He’s in a bit of pain, but we’ve got that under control. He does, however, have a proximal tibia fracture. It’s a simple, closed break. We can get away with putting him in a cast, but I do encourage crutches for at least the next three months. He’s a big guy, so we need to get him keeping weight off that leg for as long as we can and then move into rehab for the most successful recovery.”
“Can we go see him?” Caleb asks.
The doctor looks around at the eight of us. There are clearly too many of us for normal hospital protocol, but when your grandmother has a whole wing named after her, you’re surelygranted special allowances. “It’s normally only two visitors at a time, but since his injuries aren’t too bad, I can let you go in and see him quickly before he’s fitted for the cast, and then he’ll be able to go home. Does he live with anyone?”
“He can stay with me.” All three siblings talk over each other.
“That’s so sweet of you all,” Hazel says. “But you all work full-time. Caleb, you only have one bedroom and a new partner. I think Gage should stay with us.” She looks at Cyrus, Caleb’s grandfather. “One of us is always home, and there’s enough space that he won’t feel like he’s getting in anyone’s way. Plus, Tiny is familiar with our house. He’ll need to be looked after as well.
“That does make the most sense, Mum. If you don’t mind,” says Thomas.
“Of course, my darling.” She rubs a hand over her son’s back.
“If you’d like to follow me, I’ll show you to his room,” Dr Miller says, then takes off down the hallway.
I stay at the end of the group with Caleb, letting the rest of his family get to Gage first. I wrap my arms around Caleb’s waist as we walk, offering him support and love, since that’s all I can do for the moment.
He kisses my head, and I can feel his body clinging to the strength I offer.
When we make it to Gage’s room, everyone has gathered around his bed. Beth is lying down with him, tucked into his side. His face is swollen and a little scratched up. Hopefully, the pain medication has taken the brunt of his discomfort. The second Gage spots Caleb and me at the end of the bed, he shoots up.
“Where is she?”
“Gage, sweetheart, sit down.” Matilda places a hand on his shoulder to ease him back against the pillows.
“Where’s who?” Caleb asks. “The other driver?”
Gage grits his teeth and clenches his eyes shut as he stretches back down. “No,” he breathes. “Where’s Isabelle?”
Caleb’s spine snaps. “Why would Iz be here?”
“She was in the car with me.” Gage sighs as he closes his eyes and clutches his ribs. The stark white of his medical band contrasts against the dark, grim tattoos that cover his skin.
“Are you still in pain, son? Shall I get the doctor?” Thomas asks, but Gage shakes his head.
When he opens his eyes again, they bore straight into Caleb. I lay my hand over Caleb’s chest and wait until his attention comes back to me.
“I’ll go see what I can find out,” I offer. Caleb says nothing, just kisses my palm before letting me pull out of his embrace.
I see Dr Miller at the end of the hallway, talking to another doctor. I call out to him before he walks off down another corridor.
