Page 100 of Vince
The doctor leaves, and a nurse immediately replaces him before I can find out how they ended up here in the first place.
“I hear there’s aDescendantsfan in here. I’m personally envious of Evie’s fashion. Who’s your favorite character?”
Julia rolls her eyes but winces as she says, “Uh… Mal, I want purple hair just like her.”
“Oh, boy, here we go again,” Van whispers more to herself than the room.
Yeah, she’s gonna have her road cut out for her with this one. I’m not sure who will win in the battle of wills. Hopefully, the dye will be temporary.
As the nurse distracts Julia momentarily, I whisper to Van, “So what happened?”
Sucking in a deep breath, she sighs heavily. “I’d just gotten out of the shower when I heard the crash in the kitchen. Apparently…” she side-eyes Julia, “someone couldn’t wait for me to get her a bowl for her cereal and climbed on the counter to get one of those bigger ones we keep up high without using her stool. When she went to jump down, she somehow hit her head on a cupboard door or something. From what I can tell, the bowl broke when she dropped it on her way down.”
“Did she let you know she was up?”
Vanessa’s head shakes defensively. “I had no idea she was up until the screams.”
Noticing the nurse leave, I turn my attention to Julia. “What were you doing up on the counter, squirt?” Recalling the scene at the house, another question comes to mind. “And why didn’t you just use your stepstool?”
Julia shrugs. “I wanted cereal… and I was hungry.”
“We have snacks in your cupboard, Jules,” Van reminds her.
“But Froot Loops and milk is better,” she explains so matter-of-factly. “I didn’t know I’d bonk my head. Blood was everywhere, Unks. It didn’t stop. Momma said I had to come here and fix it.”
Looking at the bandage the doctor had used to cover the wound and seeing blood seep through, I heartily agree. “Momma’s right. I’m sure you scared her.”
“Sorry, Momma,” comes out in a whisper as Julia looks to her toes under the blanket.
“Oh, sweetie,” Vanessa coos as she reaches in for a hug. “I’m not mad. I just got scared because I didn’t know where the blood was coming from. I love you and just want you healthy.”
No kidding. Who knew we needed to worry about her climbing the counters? She’s never even attempted it before. Maybe if I’d been there, I would have heard her meandering around.
With the opening credits finished, Julia’s attention returns to the screen.
I take this moment to check on Van. I’m sure this has rattled her. I can’t imagine walking in on that scene. “You okay, Van?” I ask, pulling her in for a side hug and kissing the top of her head.
Exhaling heavily, I feel her body droop into mine as she whispers, “Yeah. I’m good. You wouldn’t believe how much a relatively small cut in retrospect can bleed.” I’m not sure if she says that last part for my benefit or to herself, as it is nearly inaudible by the end.
Squeezing her tight, I assure her, “It’s all gonna be okay. I’m here… and we’ll get through this together.”
“Thanks, Vinnie. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
That’s something I hope she’ll never have to worry about.
Later that night, when I finally lay my head down to rest, my mind whirls like a tornado. A million different thoughts fly at me, but nothing I can grab hold of. I’m exhausted, yet I’m certain sleep will evade me for hours to come.
I’ve heard from Sydney today but explained that something came up with my family, and I”ll talk to her tomorrow. She understands, but I don’t think she can. How the hell do I explain my guilt and anger? It’s not like she’s ever been in my shoes.
Here I was off, having the time of my life, and I let my fucking family down.
It’s unacceptable.
When they needed me, I wasn’t here… and look what happened.
Something could’ve seriously happened to Julia. Jesus, this accident is just the first of many guaranteed to happen in her lifetime. How the hell are Van and I supposed to protect her if there are so many unknowns?
Van shouldn’t have had to go through this alone, either.
