Page 89 of Hypothetical Heart
She nods. She understands that. “I’m just mad this happened now and not three years ago.”
“Everything’s going to work out,” I promise her.
“These injuries are common in ballet, Winnie. It’s your body’s way of telling you it needs a break,” Dr. Carter says.
“I’ve needed a break for the past five years,” she sighs. “I don’t really have a choice.”
“Well, now you do,” he replies. “I’m going to go fill out your discharge papers. Logan, can you take her home?”
“I don’t have a car, sir.” I came here in the ambulance with his daughter.
“Take mine.” He hands me his car keys. “I’ll catch a ride home after my shift.”
Winnie doesn’t want to use the crutches, so I carry her to the car. Setting her in the passenger seat and fastening her seatbelt.
She says a quiet, “Thank you.”
I’m not sure if it’s because she’s still on thepainkillers they gave her or because she’s so upset—it could also be a mixture—but the drive back to our houses is silent. Winnie stares out the window, and I keep my eyes on the road.
When I pull up her driveway, I get her crutches for her and get her safely out of the car and onto the cobblestone path.
“Be careful,” I say when she reaches the front porch steps.
“I’m fine,” she replies, taking the steps carefully.
“Do you want me to come in?” I ask, my voice cautious. She nods, still not facing me.
I step onto the porch and get the door for her. She looks me in the eye for the first time since she was told the results of her x-rays. Tears are welling in hers, and her crutches start to wobble as she becomes unstable.
“Come here,” I sigh, taking the metal rods from her hand and wrapping her in my arms. She falls into the embrace, sobs shaking her body. “It’s okay, sweetheart. You’re okay.”
“I feel weird,” she tells me, looking at me for help.
“You’re just on some medication, Win. It should wear off soon.” I pick her up, carry her through the entryway and into the living room, and lay her down on the couch.
“Will you stay?” she asks quietly when I pull my arm out from behind her neck. “Please?”
“Of course,” I whisper, taking a seat near her feet.
“I keep thinking this could be the thing that is going to ruin my life.”
“A couple months and you’re going to laugh at yourself for ever thinking that.”
“You think so?” she asks.
“I know so.” Winnifred Carter is one of the strongest girls I know, hell to whoever thinks she isn’t going to come back from this.
26
SEPTEMBER
Eloise being the first to leave Connecticut was something I don’t think any of us were prepared for.
The six of us spent nearly our entire summer together while also trying to get used to the idea of not seeing each other every day once we all leave.
The past couple weeks have only gotten harder because we’ve all been busy packing and preparing to move out of our childhood homes and into the place we’ll be for the school year.
Early tomorrow morning, the first part of our group is driving to New Haven. Right now, we’re trying not to think about it.
