Page 10 of Merry Mayhem
I shake my head. “Nothing broken, no internal injuries. She’s going to have a hell of a headache when she wakes up and will have to go through a concussion protocol. But she’s going to be okay.”
They all sag with relief almost as one.
“Thank God,” her mother says again.
The man pulls her into a hug. Dr. Lafitte puts his hand on Violet’s grandfather’s shoulder.
“What road was she on?” Dr. Lafitte asks.
“Um…I’m not sure the name of it,” I admit. “It’s a back road. I was on my way from Rebel to Autre.”
“Maybe she was going to New Orleans?” her mother guesses.
“She said she needed to get some things for Merry Mayhem,” I offer. I understand that not having details about an accident bothers people. It helps calm them when they have the whys and hows.
Her mom turns fully toward me. “I thought you said she’s been unconscious this whole time?”
“She has,” I confirm. “I was at Perks and Rec earlier tonight. We were talking about Merry Mayhem and…”
They’ve now all turned to face me, their faces full of interest.
Her mother’s eyes widen. “Wait, you’rehim?”
My brows arch. I’m who?
“You live in Autre?” she asks.
I nod dumbly. “Yes. For a couple of years now.”
“I can’t believe she didn’t tell us that!” her mother says, but she’s smiling widely.
Dr. Lafitte says, “Of course. Now this makes sense. They were going to drop his car off in Autre on their way to New Orleans.” He steps forward and extends his hand. “Thank God you were right behind her.
I take his hand because what else am I supposed to do?
“I’m so sorry it didn’t even occur to us,” her mom says. “She’s told usnothingabout you! Not even your name. But oh, my goodness, it's so nice to meet you.”
Who do they think...
“Wait,” her dad says. “You’re her newboyfriend?”
He’s connected the dots just a second before I do.
Oh.
They think I’m Chad.
Oh shit.
What do I say here?
But wait… Her mom said that Violet has told them nothing about the new guy.
So…I guess Icould bethe new boyfriend.
It’s not entirely true, but it’s also not entirelyuntrueeither.
Wedidmake a date earlier tonight.
