Page 99 of Vince
“Yeah,” I pant. “My sister and niece had an accident, and I want to know if they were brought here.”
“Why don’t you tell me their name, and I can see if I can help?” She taps on her computer before I can even get out their full names.
When she grimaces, my heart sinks.
“I don’t have anyone by that name here. Let me check one more place. I just came on shift, and maybe they’re being triaged.”
Why the fuck didn’t I charge my phone last night?
Hell… if I hadn’t been having the time of my life, they might not even be here in the first place.
“You’re in luck,” the person behind the desk says. “I’ve found them. We’d just called them back. Can I get your name, and I’ll tell them you’re here?” She points to the lobby. “You can just wait right there until I return.”
I’m still on edge, but my anxiety decreases slightly knowing I’ve come to the right place. Since they’d obviously been waiting for some time before I arrived, maybe the injury isn’t as bad as I’m making it out to be.
I can hope, right?
Now isn’t the time to let my vivid imagination run wild.
Knowing I have enough energy to pace a hole in the shiny white tile, I force myself to do as the woman behind the desk asks. Walking to the closest chair available, I plop in the seat and wait.
My leg bounces as I mull over the possibilities of what could’ve happened. If it were life threatening, they would’ve come by ambulance. Fuck… there are still so many things it could be. The blood wasn’t enough to cause catastrophic injuries… but damn, there’s quite a mess. I’ll have to head home before them to clean up. No sense in making another trip to the ER today.
When the woman from before motions for me to follow her, I jump from my seat to shorten the space between us. When I get close enough to hear, she says, “They’re in curtain number four. Just take a left after you get through that door, and you’ll find it on your right.”
My legs can’t carry me fast enough, and I force myself to walk at an acceptable pace, watching the numbers above each designated area. My chest tightens as I get to the right place when I hear Julia cry, “Nooooo.”
Pulling back the curtain, my eyes frantically dart to my little niece in the enormous hospital bed. Van’s beside her holding her hand while a doctor examines a gnarly cut above her brow.
“Hey, hey, hey,” I manage in a much calmer voice than I actually feel, “what’s going on?”
“Unks,” Jules calls out, clearly forgetting what she’s been protesting about seconds ago with her attention now focused on me.
“Hey, Jules,” I greet as if she isn’t lying in a hospital bed in her blood-soaked pajamas. Sure, head wounds are known for excessive bleeding, but Van must have freaked out if she saw that gash.
“Hey, Vinny.” The relief in her voice makes my heart ache. Especially when she reaches out her hand for mine.
Fuck. I should’ve been here.
Closing the distance, my stress eases a bit when she squeezes my hand in hers. When our eyes lock, I know without a doubt we will get through this—together. I feel her tension release, and her bravery remains strong. She’s the best mother apart from our own, and I can’t imagine what she’s gone through this morning.
The doctor interrupts my thoughts with, “This will definitely require stitches. You were right to bring her in immediately. With your permission, I’d like to call in our facial plastic surgeon. Since Julia’s so young, with their help, this laceration will soon become a distant memory, rather than a predominate feature.”
No shit.
Of course, we want the scar to be as concealed as possible.
Van and I nod our heads, but she voices her thoughts aloud, “Yes. If you think that’s what’s best. I’d prefer there to be as little of a scar as possible.”
“Sounds like a plan.” The doctor nods in agreement. Then he turns his attention to Julia. “I have a daughter just about your age. You don’t by any chance like Disney movies, do you?”
Wide-eyed, Julia nods her head enthusiastically. “Descendantsis my favorite.”
“You’re in luck. I know we have that one in particular in our on-demand videos here at the hospital. Would you like me to get a nurse in here to help you cue it up?”
Julia nods eagerly.
I could care less that this is likely the millionth time she’s watched this show. As long as it works as a distraction from the obvious pain she’s been in, I’ll watch it a gazillion more.
