Page 124 of Badges
I need Wade.
Should I text him and tell him?
The anxiety boils in me, threatening to have me bending over the trash can again.
I’ll wait and tell him later.
After Cynthia is taken care of.
I’m half a sleeve of stale Saltines down when she finally is brought back.
And thankfully my tummy has settled as well.
“Can I have one?” She shuffles her butt to sit up on the stretcher again.
Nodding, I toss the rest of the package next to her leg. “How’d it go?”
“No big deal.” Her bravado slips into a wince when she bumps her injured wrist.
The curtain whisks open a few minutes later.
“Well, it looks like you have two small fractures,” Dixon announces. “We’ll get you splinted up, then you’ll need to follow up with orthopedics in a few days for a cast. But I think you’ll fully recover without issue.”
“At least it isn’t my drawing hand,” she exhales.
It doesn’t take long to get her all wrapped up.
He was right, he is a pretty good doctor.
We’re sent home with a few papers detailing what she can do to help with the pain, and a phone number to follow up with.
When we walk in the door, she stops to turn to me. “Elena, can I just go to bed? Are you gonna be angry if I don’t do my homework tonight?”
“Of course not!” I pull her in for a gentle hug. “I’m not mad. You were so brave today.” I press my lips to her temple. “I’ll get you a snack.”
As I dig into the refrigerator for some carrot sticks to go along with peanut butter, I bump my ankle monitor against the door.
Maybe there’s an allowance to go to the hospital?
Or maybe I really am lucky?
Either way, I don’t regret taking her.
Now I can’t wait to tell Wade the big news.
Secrets
Wade
Fuck.
The worst feeling in the world is coming back into cell service to have my phone blow up with notifications.My stomach drops when I see so many from Elena.
She rarely calls for no reason.
When I listen to her first voicemail, I instinctually drive faster.
Cynthia’s hurt and I wasn’t there.
