Page 146 of We Shouldn't Be Together
“Are you okay, honey?” Mrs. Nelson asks, looking down at my feet. “Your father said you had a limp.”
“Oh, this is Dr. Jones’s daughter?” Mr. Nelson says, snapping his fingers in recognition.
I glance between them. “You talked to my dad?”
“Yes, he called me after your incident with Kai,” Mrs. Nelson explains. “He didn’t tell you?”
I look past her at Kai. “My dad called your mom? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“The guy calls me a menace.” Kai shrugs. “I’m sure as heck not gonna remind you of that.”
Mrs. Nelson crosses her arms and shakes her head at Kai. “Is this why you’re acting like you’re okay? You don’t want another lecture from Dr. Jones?”
Kai stares at her pointedly. “Do you?”
When his mom is quick to tut and eye roll him, Freddy and I exchange confused looks.
“I can call ahead for an appointment with Dr. Morrison’s office on Greenacre Avenue,” Mr. Nelson says. “He doesn’t need the emergency room.”
“I don’t need a doctor, period,” Kai insists. “The guy’s elbow jabbed me like a bat. It only hurt initially. It’s gone away now. Didn’t you see Coach make me stretch my arms over my head? It didn’t hurt. He gave me the all clear.”
I can see on his mom’s face she wants to point out that Coach Lyle isn’t a doctor either, but it seems mine and my brother’s presence has thrown her off her game.
“Anyway,” Mrs. Nelson says, refocusing on me. “Your foot, hon. Any limp?”
“No, it was fine right away. Dad totally overreacted. He shouldn’t have called you. That’s so embarrassing.”
“Hear that?” Kai says to his mom. “Her dad, the doctor, overreacted. Her pain went away quickly. Just like mine.”
His mom waves him off. “Yes, fine. Congratulations.”
Mr. Nelson gives me a warm smile. “So, you’re okay?”
I nod. “Yes. Thanks to your son.”
“Are you here to talk about your assignment?” his mom asks me. “Because he’s all yours. Frankly, if he’s glued to a textbook for the rest of the day, it’ll help settle my blood pressure.”
Kai groans. “Give it a rest.”
I can’t help sniggering at Kai and his mom’s interactions with each other. It’s clear he got his strong will from her. And it wouldn’t surprise me if Milo is calm because of his dad’s mellow attitude. I’d even wager that Mrs. Nelson worries about Kai injuring himself because, back in the day, she was a reckless teen herself.
“Actually, Kai,” I say, feeling my throat run dry, “I was wondering if you might be free today.”
“We’re heading into town to meet up with the others for a bite to eat,” Mr. Nelson says. “Wanna jump in the car with us?”
“Freddy has a car,” Kai blurts, obviously wanting his parents to scram.
Freddy steps in closer. “Yeah, I got it.”
“Okay,” Kai’s mom says. “Be good.”
Kai shakes his head, and his parents leave toward the parking lot. I spy around us and note the others have already left. I guess they figured they could skip the Nelson Family argument because they’d be seeing them wherever they’re going next.
“Good game, dude,” Freddy says to Kai.
“Thanks,” Kai replies. “I didn’t know you guys were here.”
I gesture beside me. “Never tell Freddy anything if you don’t want him to meddle.”
