Page 104 of Back to You

“Oh my god. Is he okay?”

“They wouldn’t tell me. I’m on my way to East Westfield now. They said he’s in the ER.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll meet you there.” He heard Steven say something in the background, and Michelle said, “It’s okay, I need to get down there. You stay with the kids.” He heard her turn back to the phone. “Ethan? I don’t want to talk to Mom and Dad until we know more, okay?”

“Okay. Be careful.” He hung up and focused on the road.

When he got to the emergency room, they took him right back, thankfully. He had increasingly worse-case scenarios playing through his head. He couldn’t lose Brandon, not when they’d just gotten back together.

The doctor met him outside the curtained-off area they led him to. “Mr. Thompson? I’m Dr. Hardin. Brandon was very lucky tonight. The other car impacted the passenger side of his car at a high rate of speed, causing his car to roll over. Thankfully he was wearing his seatbelt and his airbags deployed. He’s got a mild concussion, as well as a lot of scrapes and bruises, but he’s going to be okay.”

Ethan nearly collapsed in relief. “He’s okay?” he said, needing to be sure.

“He’s okay.” The doctor smiled tiredly. “We’ll keep him overnight for observation, and he should be clear to go home tomorrow.”

The doctor headed off down the hall as Ethan stared at the curtain. He was so relieved, but knew he needed a moment to compose himself before he saw Brandon. He choked back the tears and ran a hand through his hair.

“I can see your feet, I know you’re out there,” he heard from behind the curtain. And so he was laughing as he walked in to see Brandon.

“Hey baby,” he said, grabbing Brandon’s hand and holding it up to his cheek. “How are you feeling?”

“Kind of like roadkill,” Brandon said softly. He grimaced at the lights. “Man, they keep it bright in here.”

“That’s probably the concussion talking,” Ethan said, looking for a switch to turn off the bright light behind Brandon’s bed. “There, does that help at all?”

“A little, thanks.” He smiled at Ethan. “Sorry about dinner.”

“Like I give a crap. All that matters is that you’re okay.”

“I’m okay,” Brandon assured him. “My car is toast, though.”

“What happened?”

“Cops said it was a high-speed chase, and the guy went through the red light and slammed my car. At least they caught him after that.”

“I was so scared when they called me,” Ethan said, tears in his voice. “I’ve never been so scared in my life.”

“I’m okay,” Brandon whispered, caressing Ethan’s cheek. “I’m okay, baby.”

“Uh, Mr. Michener?” A nurse stuck her head around the curtain. “There’s a woman in the lobby who says she’s your sister? She’s very insistent about seeing you.”

Brandon laughed, and then winced and grabbed his head. “She can come back, thanks. Sorry about her.”

Ethan rubbed Brandon’s temples gently. “Close your eyes for a bit. I’m going to step outside and talk to Hurricane Michelle.”

He stepped out of the curtain just as a white-faced Michelle came bolting down the hallway. “He’s okay,” he said immediately as soon as she was in earshot. “It’s a mild concussion and some scrapes and bruises. He’s okay.”

She wavered slightly on her feet. “Oh Jesus. I’m going to kill him. I was terrified.”

Ethan wrapped an arm gingerly around her shoulder, unsure of his reception. She leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder for a moment. Then she pulled back and took a deep breath, letting it out with a huff.

“What happened?”

Ethan explained what the police had told Brandon about the accident. She immediately pledged mayhem against the other driver, and Ethan couldn’t help but agree.

“He better be glad he’s in jail,” she muttered as they went inside Brandon’s curtain.

Brandon was now asleep. Michelle walked over and brushed his hair back from his forehead. “Don’t scare me like that, dickhead,” she said softly, petting her brother’s hair briefly. “Okay.” She visibly took control of herself. “I need to call Steven, then call Mom and Dad. Will you stay with him?”

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